Criminal Justice (CRIMJ)

This course reviews and critiques the major theories of crime causation. CRIMJ 500 CRIMJ 500 Advanced Criminological Theory (3) This course provides students with an understanding of the major theories of crime causation. Students completing this course will (1) articulate the historical development of criminological theories over the last three centuries; (2) critically assess the usefulness of theory to the development of sound crime-related policy; and (3) delineate the strengths and weaknesses of each theory. Since the course serves as a foundation class for the other core requirements, it should be taken by students in their first semester. Students taking this course will be required to lead class discussions, write a significant research paper, and take essay format examinations.

Advanced research methodology for criminal justice and criminology. The purpose of this course is to assist students in becoming both critical consumers and producers of scientific research. Through an understanding of research methodology, the student should be better prepared to determine the adequacy of findings from studies reported in both technical research reports and in academic journals. Further, students should be able to plan, implement, and assess the outcomes of studies that they might initiate.

This course studies the concepts and methods of political and legal activity within the criminal justice system and their impact on society. CRIMJ 502 CRIMJ 502 Public Policy and The Criminal Justice System (3) The purpose of this course is to focus on crime policies in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, resource allocation, and societal impact. This course forms a nexus between the legal reasoning of criminal law with the theoretical and research foundations of the discipline. Crime control appears to be centered within the political community often without adequate, fair, or pertinent analysis of policy design or implementation. This course will use legal precedent to discuss the past and apply such a precedent to current issues. Students will examine how political assessments of crime is no guarantee that the resulting policy will deter the behavior. The nexus between research, criminal law, and the expectation of justice often come from disparate views about the goal of the criminal justice system. This course will also examine the goal of justice amid diverse populations. How has racial disparity in sentencing, legal representation, the death penalty, judicial representation, and political careers persisted? Students will also study comparative issues of national and international law. Finally, students will address a policy issue by submitting a policy analysis research proposal followed by a policy analysis paper.

Advanced statistics in criminal justice and criminology. The purpose of this course is to teach the student the theory behind a particular statistical technique and its appropriate use. As such, it focuses on: (1) the theory of statistical procedures; and (2) the analysis of computer-generated output. Through classroom discussions, reading assignments, and out-of-class exercises, the student will learn which statistical technique is appropriate with regard to the research hypothesis and the level of measurement of the variables included in the analysis. Further, through data analysis using SPSS, the student will learn how to interpret the output from that analysis.

The course will be a broad overview of the structure and management of criminal justice organizations. CRIMJ 504 CRIMJ 504 Criminal Justice Organization and Management (3) The purpose of this course is to provide students with the ability to assess substantive policy issues regarding the organization and management of criminal justice agencies, to explain the rudiments of the day-to-day functioning of criminal justice organizations, and, most important, to get students actively engaged in discussing and thinking critically about what they consider to be good organization and management principles and policies. In addition to the text, students will be instructed to consult criminal justice and public administration journals for the most up-to-date ideas and concepts in organizational management. In particular, students should (1) understand the nature of criminal justice organizations; (2) understand the importance of effective communication and motivation of rank-and-file employees; (3) comprehend the necessity of the use of power and decision making; and (4) the necessity of change and research in criminal justice organizations. This course will be offered once every other semester, and it should be a first-semester requirement.

Discusses application of police research and management principles to the contemporary policing context. CRIMJ 563 CRIMJ 563 Concepts and Practices in Police Administration (3) This course examines the multitude of factors involved in the delivery of protective services to a diverse community. The evolution of policing from its English, quasi-militaristic heritage will be analyzed in order to gain foundational knowledge for understanding its current problem-solving, community orientation. Method for attaining a community partnership will be explored. Means for attaining accountability within the new organizational philosophy will be identified. Important issues such as use of force, cultural awareness, integrity, and ethics will be extensively reviewed.

This course addresses historical and contemporary correctional policy, accountability, and possible remedial alternatives. CRIMJ 564 CRIMJ 564 Administrative and Legal Aspects of Corrections (3) CRIMJ 564 is the historical, administrative, and legal inquiry into the development of institutional and community criminal punishment. Currently, corrections has nearly a 70% recidivism rate. Corrections is the measure of the cost of doing crime and cultural changes which redefine that cost. CRIMJ 564 will provide a macro-perspective into the mechanics of designing and reforming the process of capital punishment.

An analysis of the function and role of the courts and the personnel involved in the American criminal justice system. CRIMJ 565 CRIMJ 565 Courts in the Criminal Justice System (3) The course will deal with the nature and function of the courts and their personnel within the American criminal justice system. In relation to the structure and organization of the courts, the differences in court systems and functions will be examined, as well as proposals for reform of these structures and organization in light of concerns over increasing caseloads, other docket pressures, and a variety of other issues. The course additionally examines the personnel involved in the court processes of the criminal justice system in their function, education and training, selection, role orientations and examines the implications of these factors in how they exercise decision-making power. Proposals for reform of decision-making functions of prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges will be examined in light of the interrelated functioning of personnel within the courts.

The systematic application of the juvenile justice system and issues related to juvenile delinquency and constitutional law. CRIMJ 567 CRIMJ 567 Juvenile Justice: Issues and Practice (3) This course introduces the juvenile justice system and issues associated with processing youth through that system for graduate study. The course first addresses how there came to be a separate system for juveniles in this country and explores the major philosophical foundation for that separate system. Further, the course encourages the student to think about how delinquency is defined and the challenges those definitions have faced. In addition to exploring how youth are processed through the juvenile justice system (from arrest to disposition of the case), the course also provides the student with an exploration into issues associated with minorities and females. Critical issues of importance to juvenile justice administrators will be covered in this course as well since many CRIMJ graduates will go on to serve as administrators in the criminal justice field. Students will be asked to think critically about the future of the juvenile justice system as the system moves beyond the original intent of its framers. This course should provide the student with a better understanding not only of how the juvenile justice works, but also of how the system has dealt with challenges that it has faced since its first inception in 1899. This course will be offered once a year.

This course examines the many facets of qualitiative research methodolgy. CRIMJ 568CRIMJ 568 Qualitative Methods for Criminal Justice (3) The purpose of this course is to train the student how to conduct a good qualitative study. This will be achieved by introducing the students to various methods of data collection used in qualitative research. Specifically, the student will study qualitative methods such as, case study analysis, observer as participant, covert participation, as well as effective interviewing. The student will examine examples of notable qualitative studies to increase their understanding of the various concepts associated with qualitative research.

This course provides students an overview of a wide range of works within the topic of the death penalty authored by the most renowned experts in the field. Various issues examined include legislative challenges, racial discrimination, wrongful conviction, cost, deterrence, mitigation research, and the role of health and mental health professionals. Through landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases, influential meta-analyses on empirical studies, and legal analyses, this course provides an in-depth look at the theory, research, policy, and practice of this punishment, and discusses the limitations of current empirical approaches and the gap between practice and penological ideals.

Forensic victimology provides students with a basic understanding of the field of victimology and its historical developments. Through the use of statistical and theoretical application, students will better understand how to create victim profiles and how these profiles inform violence prevention, practice, and policy. Students will gain a basic understanding of threat assessment at the individual and community level, as well as safety planning strategies that are used to support crime and victimization prevention efforts. Further, forensic victimology provides an overview of the victim's role in the criminal justice system from investigation to intervention.

Continuing seminars that consist of a series of individual lectures by faculty, students, or outside speakers. CRIMJ 590 CRIMJ 590. Colloquium (1-3)This common course will focus on specific issues within each colloquia. Issues to be covered will be research, resources allocation, legal issues, and impact on crime control. This course will direct students to study the design and implementation of policies to address specific issues. The course will add to the diversity offerings within the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice.This course will be offered in the summer and the spring with an enrollment of 20. Repeatable credit is possible. It will be offered more if enrollment patterns warrant such an increase.

Supervised student activities on research projects identified on an individual or small-group basis. CRIMJ 594 CRIMJ 594. Research Topics (1-12)This common course will focus on specific research issues. Issues to be covered will be resources allocation, legal issues, and impact on crime control. Students will study the design and implementation of topical issues as they address specific issues. The course will add to the diversity offerings within the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice.This course will be offered every third semester.

Supervised off-campus, nongroup instruction, including field experiences, practicums, or internships. Written and oral critique of activity required. CRIMJ 595 CRIMJ 595. Internship (1-18)The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the ethics, operations, and standards of working within a criminal justice environment. This course is individualized for each placement and student. It is offered in cooperation with the program, the internship site, and the goals of the student. An overall objective is to familiarize students with the legal and professional standards associated with working with people as colleagues, program participants, or clients.Students will be expected to comprehend the guidelines associated with legal and social service agencies. The internship will enable students to apply these guidelines under novel and unique situations.This course will be offered each semester with an enrollment of ten students. It will be offered more if enrollment patterns warrant such an increase.

Creative projects, including nonthesis research, that are supervised on an individual basis and which fall outside the scope of formal courses.

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