Criminal Justice

CJ 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 hours
Course cross-listed with SOC 110. Term: 1 and/or 2

Overview of the various components of the justice system. This course investigates social order and the notion of justice as examined in its respective relationships to various forms of social institutions. It provides an examina­tion of the roles, objectives, and methods of institutions such as the police, the courts, corrections, and the com­munity and their relationships within the larger framework of public policy.

CJ 140 Introduction to Forensic Science 3 hours
Course cross-listed with FSC 140. Term: offered as needed.

Forensic science is the application of science to the law and encompasses various scientific disciplines. This course will introduce various methodologies and applications used in the forensic context. Topics discussed include organic and inorganic chemical analyses of physical evidence, principles of serology and DNA analysis, identification of fresh and decomposed human remains, ballistics, fingerprint analysis, facial reconstruction, drug analysis, and forensic entomology.

CJ 200 Sociological Perspectives of Crime 3 hours
Term 1or 2, Prerequisites: CJ 110

This course seeks to provide a sociological understanding in the study of crime. The nature, cause, control, treat­ment and prevention of crime will be examined through a sociological lens. An emphasis on developing critical thinking skills when evaluating theory, policy, and research will be undertaken.

CJ 240 Corrections 3 hours
Course cross-listed with SOC 240. Term: 1 offered as needed.

Organizational and operational methods in correctional facilities (objectives, security levels, pre-release). Human concerns in custodial care. Includes co-ed and women’s facilities.

CJ 311 Deviant Behavior 3 hours
Prerequisite: SOC 201; Term: 1

Emphasizes interplay between society and the person in the development of deviant behavior. Explores the differ­ent kinds of deviance, theory, social control, and social issues.

CJ 320 Juvenile Delinquency 3 hours
Course cross-listed with SOC320. Term 1 or 2, Prerequisite: SOC 201; Term: 2

Provides an overview of juvenile behavior and the juvenile justice system in American society. A critical approach is used exploring the history and social construction of juvenile delinquency as a social phenomenon, theoretical explanations for delinquent behavior, experiences of juvenile delinquents, and the organizational processes and politics of the contemporary juvenile justice system.

CJ 330 Criminal Behavior 3 hours
Term: 2 Prerequiste: CJ110

This course is an introduction to the scientific study of crime and criminality. The nature and extent of crime along with various explanations of crime and criminality will be examined.

CJ 340 Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 1 4 hours
Course cross-listed with FSC 340. Term 1, Prerequisite: FSC 140; CHM 140; BIO 139

Designed to provide students with the basic theoretical and philosophical understanding of the investigatory process as well as fundamental investigation techniques such as crime scene analysis, collection, preservation, and testing of evidence, modus operandi, use of technology, types of evidence, and the science of criminalistics. Analysis of problems encountered in interviewing, interrogating, evidence collection, and admissibility. Application of investigation theories to the administration of justice will also be developed.

CJ 341 Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 2 4 hours
Course cross-listed with FSC 340. Term 2, Prerequisite: FSC 340

This course is a continuation of Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 1.

CJ 351 Restorative Justice 3 hours
Course cross-listed with SOC351, Prerequiste: CJ110, CJ200, Instructor permission.

This course is an overview of community and restorative justice. It is an introductory analysis of the principles and practices of restorative justice. Restorative justice offers an approach to criminal justice based on a balanced focus on the victim, offender, and community.

CJ 352  Women in the American Criminal Justice System 3 hours
Course cross-listed with SOC 352, Prerequisite: SOC 201; Term: 1

Focuses on women as offenders, victims and professionals in the criminal justice system with particular emphasis on ethnicity as an influencing factor.

CJ 355 Social Research Methods 4 hours
Course cross-listed with SW 355, Prerequisite: MTH 100, PSY205; SOC201; Term 1, 2  Instructor Permission

Provides a beginning understanding and appreciation of social research. Emphasizes the use and production of research for improving one’s effectiveness as a generalist social work practitioner or social science professional. Students become familiar with different social research approaches (using both quantitative and qualitative data), and learn a method for effectively evaluating research studies. Includes a series of experiential exercises that lead students step-by-step through the research process: deciding and developing a research question, specify­ing sampling strategy, selecting or developing appropriate measures, planning and carrying out a data collection, analyzing data, writing a research paper, etc. Emphasizes important ethical and human diversity issues raised throughout the research process.

CJ 356 Police and Society 3 hours
Offered as needed. Term 1. Prerequisite: CJ110

The relationship between police and society in the United States will be examined. This course offers students an overview of who the police are and what they do. It will look at problems related to policing, and the many reforms and innovations that have been attempted in police work.

CJ 358 Law and Society 3 hours
Course cross-listed with POL 358. Prerequisite: Introductory course in Political Science or Social Science;

Term: Alternate years A study of American law as seen through the United States Constitution and interpreted by the federal and state court systems. Also a brief examination of the roots of American civil and criminal law.

CJ 380 Criminal Law 3 hours
Course cross-listed with SOC 380. Term: 1 Prerequisite: CJ110

Processes of U.S. and state court systems. Studies constitutional law regarding due process, search and seizure. Includes selected precedent-setting cases. Examines American Correctional Association standards.

CJ 400 Special Topics in Criminal Justice 3 hours
Prerequisites:   CJ110, junior or senior standing, permission of instructor; Offered as needed.

Selected topics and issues in criminal justice as chosen by the instructor.

CJ 491 Independent Study in Criminal Justice 1-4 hours
Prerequisites: CJ110, CJ355, permission of instructor ; Term: 1, 2, 3

Advanced research in criminology and/or crimi­nal justice and presentation of critically evaluated data.

CJ 492  Readings in Criminal Justice 3 hours
Course cross listed with SOC492. Prerequisites: For CJ majors. CJ110, junior or senior standing, permission of the instructor; Term: 1, 2, 3

In-depth investigation of a selected area of Criminology and Criminal Justice. May be repeated for credit(s).

CJ/SOC 495 Restorative Justice Practices 3 hours
Prerequisites: CJ 351

This course is a continuation of CJ/SOC 351 Restorative Justice. This seminar will take a critical look at traditional government responses to crime in the United States and examine how the principles and practice of restorative justice may improve that response. The application of the principles of restorative justice and the challenges of a restorative approach will be addressed

CJ 496 Senior Seminar Project 3 hours
Prerequisites: ENG 312, CJ 355, junior or senior standing, permission of the instructor; Term: 2

Topic to be selected by student with approval of instructor. May be library research based or an original research project. Requires written and oral presentations. Writing intensive.

CJ498  Internship in Criminal Justice 3-6 hours
Prerequisites: junior or senior standing, permission of the instructor by the beginning of Term 1; Term: 2

Practical application of sociological and criminological concepts and skills. Planned and supervised professional experience related to Criminal Justice which takes place outside the formal classroom with business, industry, and private/public agencies. Please be advised that if a 3 hour credit has been chosen, then 1 additional elective course must be taken in the CJ major.

Criminal Justice is an interdisciplinary major which does not require the completion of an additional minor. The requirements for a Bachelor of Arts degree with a criminal justice major are a minimum of 58 credit hours in criminal justice and related courses and completion of the following components:

Before any decisions are made for your selection of courses, you will need to meet with the Program Coordinator to discuss your academic plan.

A. General Education Requirements
See page 48 of course catalog

B. General Education Requirements
(Suggested) in the Major:
ART 115  Drawing: Skills and Concepts
BIO 257   Human Anatomy and Physiology
IS 324      Social Justice Seminar
IS 326C    HIV/AIDS:  Its Biological and Social Impact
SP 150     Elementary Spanish
PHL 276      Critical Thinking
POL/SOC 385     Community and Organizational Change
SOC 201     Sociological Perspectives
ECO 202     Economic Dimensions
PSY 205     Introductory Psychology
POL 303     Political Reality and Public Policy

Special Elements of the Program
Academic Performance: A criminal justice major must earn a grade of C or better in all required courses for the major.

This program is designated as a day program. Some students will be able to complete this program during the evening.

C. Required Courses (46 hours):
CJ 110        Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJ 200       Sociological Perspectives of Crime (Preq. CJ110)
CJ 240        Corrections (Preq. CJ110)
CJ 311        Deviant Behavior (Preq. Soc. 201)

                  -or-

CJ 330        Criminal Behavior (Preq. CJ200)
CJ 351        Restorative Justice (Preq. CJ110, CJ200;Permission of instructor)
CJ 352        Women in the American Justice System (Preq. Soc. 201)                               

                  -or-

CJ 306        Race and Ethnic Diversity (Preq. Soc. 201)
CJ 356        Police and Society (Preq. CJ110)
CJ/SW 355 Social Research Methods: (MTH 100, Psy 205; SOC 201 Permission of instructor)
CJ 320        Juvenile Delinquency (Preq. Soc. 201)
CJ 380        Criminal Law (Preq. CJ 110)
IS 324A       Social Justice: Why do we mistreat our youth?                       

                  -or-

CJ 400        Special Topics in Criminal Justice (Preq.                                    CJ110, junior or senior standing, permission of instructor)
CJ 495        Restorative Justice Practices (Preq. CJ351)*
CJ 496        Senior Seminar (Preq. Eng. 312, Junior or Senior standing; Permission of instructor)
CJ/SOC 498   Internship (Preq. Senior, CJ355, Permission of the Program Coordinator)

D. Related Discipline Requirements:
Students must choose 4 courses (12 semester hours) from the following: *Students should consult their advisor and choose their allied courses based on their individual academic and career interests. Students are responsible for checking the prerequisites for each of these courses.

ACC 224           Principles of Accounting (3)
BUS 308           Business and Professional Writing (3)
CIS 210             Microcomputer Applications (3)
CHM 140           General Chemistry (4)
CJ 491              Independent Study in Criminal Justice (3)
CJ/SOC 493      Readings in Criminal Justice (3)
ENG 209           Fundamentals of Speech (3)
ENG 316           Grant Writing (3)
ENG 318           Professional Communication Design (3)
FSC 140           Introduction to Forensic Science (3)
FSC 340           Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection (3)
HUM 330          Asian and Arab Culture (3)
PHL 225           Ethics (3)
PHL 325           Special Topics in Moral Philosophy (3)
POL201            Public Administration (3)
POL303            Political Reality and Public Policy
POL/SOC 358   Law and Society (3)
PSY 240           Developmental Psychology (3)
PSY 305           Introduction to Statistics (3)
PSY 360           Social Psychology (3)
PSY 435           Abnormal Psychology (3)
PSY 400           Interview Techniques (3)
SW 200            Working with Substance Abusers (2)\
SW 268            Child Welfare Policies and Services (2)
SW 314            Social Welfare Policy (3)
SOC 345          Sociology of the Family (3)
SOC 348          Death and Dying (3)
SOC 365          Group Dynamics (3)

The requirements for the minor in Criminal Justice are:

A. A minimum of 21 total credits.

B. Included must be these courses:

CJ 110              Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJ 200             Sociological Perspectives of Crime
CJ 311              Deviant Behavior
CJ 320              Juvenile Delinquency
CJ 380              Criminal Law

C. An additional 6 credits are required in the following areas of Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Political Science, or Forensic Science.

Pos­sible electives include:
CJ 240            Corrections
CJ 351            Restorative Justice
CJ 352            Women in the American Criminal Justice System
CJ 358            Law and Society
CJ/FSC 140    Introduction to Forensic Science
CJ/FSC 340    Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 1
CJ/FSC 341    Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 2
POL 303         Political Reality and Public Policy
PSY 360        Social Psychology
PSY 365        Group Dynamics
PSY 240        Developmental Psychology
PSY 435        Abnormal Psychology
SW 200A       Working with Substance Abusers
SW 200C        Working with Mental and Physical Illness