Criminology/Crim Justice (CCJ)

Introduction to the historical and philosophical background of agencies of the criminal justice system. An examination of the relationships between the police, courts, and correctional institutions.

This course is a survey course introducing the students to the multidisciplinary nature of Forensics. Lecturers representing different disciplines will discuss the role of their discipline in Forensics.

Current and emerging issues in the fields of criminal justice and criminology.

The course includes direction on a variety of writing topics geared towards research and practical applications in criminal justice. Topics include police and other professional reports, career readiness, and networking.

Complex factors related to criminal behavior. Focus on understanding criminal and delinquent behavior from a multi-disciplinary perspective (biological, psychological, social), with emphasis on past and present theories.

A detailed examination of selected famous American crimes and trials since 1900.

Examine organizational structure, policies, and procedures specific to federal, state, and local agencies in relation to contemporary issues facing law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

Pragmatic review of the psychological, physiological, and sociological theories and practices which seek to evaluate and analyze deviant human behavior and environments that precipitate criminal conduct.

This course examines the intersection of mental health within the criminal justice system. Topics include victimization, offending, diversion programs, mental health courts, and other facets in the criminal justice system.

An introduction to the legal and sociological perspectives that generally define the field of forensic psychology. The focus is on a variety of issues and topics that integrate psychology, law, the civil and criminal justice systems, and the mental health system.

The history, pharmacology, health consequences, and crime-related aspects of mind-altering drugs with emphasis on the effects on criminal behavior, the legal response to the problem, and the treatment and prevention of abuse.

Victims and the process, etiology, and consequences of victimization. Special attention is paid to the types of victims, theories of victimization, and the victim's treatment within the criminal justice system. Examination of the role of victims in crime, their decisions to report crimes and help prosecute offenders, victim assistance, and victim compensation.

An introduction to the identification, collection, preservation, and presentation of physical evidence from crime scenes and man made and natural disasters.

This course is a general introduction to research methods used in criminology and criminal justice. The course emphasizes the application of theory and research, sampling, measurement, data collection, research designs, and ethics of research. Specific examples from the fields of criminology and criminal justice.

An introduction to quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques currently in use among criminologists. Connects research design and methodology with statistical applications. Students will use statistical software to create databases, analyze data, and interpret statistical analysis.

An introduction to and examination of the varying laws regarding marijuana. Differences between state and federal legislation as well as criminal laws and business regulation, and international laws will be addressed.

This course teaches students about the interaction between humans and their natural and cultural environment and how technological advancement may be the reason behind the decline of species, evolution of violence, and crime. We examine the affects in our biosphere related to crimes against the environment with a temporal scale.

Explores the criminal justice system, criminals, and crime as portrayed in the media, its impact on society and the criminal justice system.

Identification, analysis, and response to diverse ethical issues, unethical practices, and unprofessional conduct encountered in the criminal justice system.

In depth analysis of management theories and leadership skills in criminal justice agencies. Models of decision making, problem solving, and situational leadership are used to assess responses to current challenges facing criminal justice organizations.

Origins of human and deviant behavior from a multidisciplinary approach (biological, psychological, sociological, criminological). Addresses major theories and research including case studies that illustrate deviant behavior, such as drug abuse, suicide, mental illness, and sexual deviance.

International perspectives in criminal justice policy and procedures. Analysis of criminal justice systems in other countries and cultures. Topics may include policing, the judiciary, and corrections.

This course examines the relationship between the criminal justice system and racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. Through discussion of historical and current events, students will confront the economic, political, sociological and system reasons why racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionality affected by the criminal justice system. Potential policy changes for reducing these effects will be discussed.

This course examines the economic, sociological, and societal impacts on gender from the perspectives of victims of crime, criminal offenders, and criminal justice practitioners. Historical and current theory and research related to gender, crime, and the criminal justice system will be discussed to evaluate potential remedies needed within the criminal justice system.

Theoretical issues, both past and present, regarding domestic violence. Attention is given to contributing factors, legal aspect, and the impact of domestic violence on the victim and society.

An in depth analysis of Human Trafficking as a global and local crime.

Students work closely with a faculty member in the development and implementation of research projects in the area of criminal justice. Instructor permission required.

In-depth analysis of current and emerging issues in the fields of criminal justice and criminology.

This seminar is a culminating course for Justice Studies majors, and provides students with an integrative experience in the discussion and analysis of significant theories, policies, and practices in Criminal Justice and Criminology. Students will also acquire skills that are vital to employment in Criminal Justice and related fields and will exit the course with competent writing, interviewing and other job application skills.

Placement with one or more of the agencies comprising or related to the criminal justice system. Junior standing required. Each student credit hour requires 75 hours of internship participation.

Intensive study tour abroad, including preparatory work and research, focusing on cultural, historical, and social influences on criminal justice, and the differences and similarities of the different systems.

An examination of all aspects of organizational theories, models and typologies, organizational variables and measuring effectiveness, supervision and communication systems, motivation, satisfaction, and morale of employees, organization of criminal justice systems, law enforcement, police and sheriff's departments, court organization and administration, jail and prison organizations, community corrections organizations, and juvenile justice organizations and their administration.

This class presents the dynamic relationship between humans their natural and cultural environment. We will look at human-human relationships and crime, and how technological advancement may be the reason behind the decline of species. Stemming from cultural ecology concepts, this class teaches the students how human populations, through their culturally-patterned behaviors and interactions with their environment, have evolved. This class will explore behaviors and associated beliefs, how humans adjust strategically to their environments and of how such adjustments make human groups an active part of those environments whether enhance, modify or destroy it. The class will address environmental crime and catastrophes induced from human actions.

An advanced seminar designed for students interested in evaluating and formulating policies on criminal justice.

Classical and contemporary sociological theory that explains the etiology of criminal behavior including the correlates and causes of crime including poverty; urban blight; inequity in health, housing, and education; racial and ethnic discrimination; and the proliferation of drugs and gangs.

This course investigates the legal and sociological perspectives that generally define the field of forensic psychology. The focus is on a variety of issues that integrate psychology, law, the civil and criminal justice systems, and the mental health system. The relevant literature is explored through important judicial cases that have defined the field.

This Course will examine the complex issues of modern day trafficking and slavery of human beings. We will look at the global scope of the problem, the major types of slavery that exists today, attempt to understand the root causes in a globalized world as well as the relationship between supply and demand. We will specifically look at the role of the U.S. Government since the passage of the Trafficking in Persons Act of 2000 and the various re-authorizations. A major focus will also be on Domestic Trafficking that occurs in our own back yard.

In-depth treatment of the application and interpretation of quantitative research methodology and statistical tools appropriate for criminal justice related research. Specific content areas include research design, data collection, data characteristics, data analysis, preparation of research proposals, and scholarly presentation of research findings.

In-depth treatment of the design of qualitative research methodology and procedures for qualitative data analysis appropriate for criminal justice related research. Specific content areas include qualitative research design; types of qualitative data; collecting, coding, and interpreting qualitative data. Specific emphasis on case study methods and reporting qualitative research findings.

Analysis, integration, and synthesis of classical psychological theory and contemporary research in violent behavior.

Student will participate in an independent directed course of study in a specialized area of interest, as determined with the approval of the faculty member. Variable credits, from 1 to a maximum of 6 may be available. Requires faculty approval prior to registration.

In-depth analysis of current and emerging issues relating to Criminal Justice and Forensic Studies.

In depth exploration, analysis and assessment of contemporary topics of special concern to the admission of criminal/juvenile justice systems.

The Criminal Forensic Practicum is a field experience in Forensic Psychology.

This course requires that the student design and present a thesis of his or her own conception which involves the completion of field research which should include knowledge gained from statistical analysis and research methods. This course will be completed under the direction of faculty.

This course requires that the student design and present an applied research project that will demonstrate his/her competency of some aspects of the criminal justice field. This course will be completed under the direction of faculty.