Criminal Justice

Introduces the student to the history, development, and philosophy of law enforcement, courts, and corrections in a democratic society. An overview of the United States Criminal Justice system is an integral part of this course. Formerly CRJ 1103. 

Theories about why people commit crime within the three broad categories of criminology theories: 1) Sociological; 2) Biological; 3) Psychological. The course also discusses the actual crimes: 1) a general definition of various crimes; 2) a profile of a typical offender and victim of various crimes; 3) prevalence of various crimes and 4) where, when, and how selected crimes are committed. Formerly CRJ 1253. 

This course addresses and discusses the sources of both criminal law and criminal procedure. In terms of criminal law, the course will discuss the general definition of various crimes (i.e., the “elements of a crime), and the various defenses to a crime. In terms of criminal procedure, the course will address the Constitutional right to privacy and its impact on various law enforcement procedures as well as constitutional requirements relevant to confessions, interviews and interrogations. Students will apply their understanding of both types of law to hypothetical situations and to a moot court scenario. Formerly CRJ 1303. 

A study of the fundamentals of criminal investigation, both theory and history; from crime scene to courtroom with an emphasis on techniques appropriate to specific crime scenes. Formerly CRJ 1403. 

This class addresses what happens to evidence after it is collected by law enforcement and, therefore, focuses on the forensic science analysis techniques. Using a combination of lecture and laboratory work, students learn and apply how to analyze different types of evidence typically collected at a crime. Using the results of their own forensic analysis, students make comparisons between “known” and “unknown” exemplars and use this comparison to solve a mock crime scene in a final paper. Formerly CRJ 2304. 

This course provides a working knowledge of the fundamentals of effective legal writing, analysis, and research. Topics include legal briefs and memoranda, case and fact analysis, citation forms, legal writing styles, field note taking techniques, and effective report writing. Formerly CIS 2503. 

Policing in America will focus on the roles of the police as they relate to modern culture and society. It is expected that students will gain a better understanding of the history of policing; the various types of policing agencies, law enforcement officers, and crimes in the United States; modern law enforcement in the United States; police adaptation to societal changes; current issues in policing; and, the future of policing in America. Formerly CRJ 2603.