Criminal Justice

Introduction to Criminal Justice offers an overview of the entire criminal justice system. The focus is on the administration of police, court and correctional agencies, and the decision-making points from the initial investigation or arrest by police to the eventual release of the offender and his/her re-entry into society. The emphasis is on the dynamic relationships between the various elements in the system as well as special problem areas.

This course has a sociological focus on how information is collected, so that students can explore and evaluate reasons why crime and delinquency occur. The course also explores evidence-based prevention strategies through policy development within the field of criminology. Topics covered in the course include the criminal justice system; existing research methods; how to measure crime; classical school thinking; positivism; theories influenced by functionalism; the role of symbolic interactionism in criminological theories; conflict theory-influenced philosophies from the past to the present; and the relationship between theory, research, and policy.

Introduction to Law Enforcement examines the history and heritage of law enforcement, the criminal justice system in the United States and its contemporary police system, the organization and management of police, and constitutional law and legal precedents.

Students will examine historical and contemporary correctional practices in this course. Theoretical concepts of the criminal sanction will be introduced, along with institutional rehabilitation and community-based corrections. Various correctional settings and approaches are discussed including topics such as punishment, probation, the prison community, and parole. Students will also explore the role of community resources in treating the noninstitutionalized offender

This course introduces forensic science, or criminalistics. Since the scientist serves both science and the legal system, this course captures the broader context of both the natural sciences and engineering. Including physical evidence, interviews, field notes and reporting, follow-up investigation, interrogation, and rules of evidence. There is an in-depth analysis of investigation methodologies addressing inductive and deductive reasoning to assess the decision making process to solve crimes

This course will provide students a theoretical, conceptual, and practical overview of criminal justice organization and management. The course will provide the student with an overview of the American criminal justice system as an interdisciplinary social science involving aspects of criminology, sociology, law, and political science. Examines administrative and managerial concepts underlying decision making, policy formulation, operational strategies, and coordination and control procedures.