In this introduction to the criminal justice system, learn the various subcomponents of the
criminal justice system, including the police, courts and corrections. The course will illustrate the
importance of the criminal justice system and how components of the justice system work
together in the administration of justice in a democratic society. Discussions include current
problems faced by the criminal justice process.

Explore the role of law enforcement in the criminal justice system and society at large.
Emphasis is placed on the history and current practices in policing, policing strategies, the
demands and rewards of law enforcement careers and the dilemma inherent in policing a free
society.

Learn the philosophy, theory and practice involved in dealing officially with convicted offenders
in this introductory course. The course includes analysis of treatment and post-correctional
practices plus functions of parole and probation. Problems, trends and issues are identified.

Learn about the criminal court system and criminal adjudication processes from setting bail to
criminal sentencing and appeal. Students analyze the role of the prosecutor, the role of the
defense attorney, the role of judges and the courtroom work group.

Learn about the nature of crime, the causes of crime, the extent of crime and the methods of
treatment and prevention of crime and criminality. Emphasis is placed on theories and methods
of studying crime and criminal behavior as social phenomena.

Learn about the rules of evidence, arrest procedure, and other legal procedures in important
areas such as use of force, search and seizure.

Learn about the information and perspectives necessary for a successful career search in the
criminal justice field. It will encourage students to explore their values, skills and competencies
in order to come to a better understanding of the unique qualities and abilities that each may
contribute to their chosen profession. Finally, students will assist with the accomplishment of the
department’s assessment objectives by participating in select activities and discussions.

Criminal Justice Electives*

Learn the theory of investigation, crime scene conduct, collection and preservation of physical
evidence. Students also are introduced to criminalistics and crime scene analysis and
processing. The course provides an overview of methods used in scientific interpretation of
evidence, pursuit of investigative leads and preparation of evidence for use in the judicial
system.

Learn to study offenders in terms of their personal criminal background and definitional
dimensions. Attitudes, behavior and criminal careers are examined in this study of criminals to
help students develop realistic perspectives on crime and criminals.

Students examine the use of force by law enforcement officers and the major court decisions
that dictate how and when force is appropriate. A significant focus is placed on less lethal
weapons and their placement within the force continuum through the use of a use of force
training simulator.

Learn about the major issues in criminal convictions, as well as the trends, political and social
dimensions of criminal convictions. Coursework includes an analysis of constitutional law, court
decisions, current legislation of the federal and state law affecting prisons and the judicial
proceedings.

Focus on planning, conducting and analyzing interviews and interrogations as part of
conducting investigations. Students learn fundamental theories in practical exercises including
detecting deception. The class will analyze and discuss key United States Supreme Court
decisions, particularly Miranda v. Arizona and the subsequent Fifth and Sixth Amendment cases
that guide current practices in public and private investigations.

Learn the history and current state of the illegal drug problem in the United States from the early
1800s to present. This includes the nature of illegal drug use, the relationship between drugs
and crime, illegal drug production and trafficking, the structure of illegal drug enterprises, drug
user profiles, drug control policy and treatment programs, and the drug legalization debate.

This course involves the scientific study of environmental crime, sometimes referred to as green
crime, including their forms, causes, victims, and efforts for prevention and control. The course
focuses on theoretical explanations of environmental or green crimes, offender behavior, victim
characteristics, greater social harms, and the role of specialized agencies within the justice
system that focus on prevention of environmental crimes.

This course provides a survey of the intersection of race and ethnicity with the criminal justice
system. This course will emphasize the role of ethnicity and race in criminal justice in respect to
crime, victims of crime, offenders, defendants and criminal justice professionals.

This course focuses on special issues in criminal justice.

Learn about the relationship between media and crime and how it impacts the criminal justice
system. Television, film, newspapers, the internet and social media shape our ideas and
responses while impacting the commission of crime. Key criminological theories and concepts
are utilized to analyze the construction of crime news and other popular media representations.

Learn about the operation and history of prisons and jails in the United States and other
countries through in-depth analysis. The course covers management and operation of prisons
and jails from the perspective of both employees and inmates. This course also explores the
role of civil commitments as a form of involuntary incarceration in the prison system in America
and around the world.

Learn about non-institutional corrections and the contemporary means and philosophy of
positive intervention in the lives of selected offenders in an effort to facilitate improved social
functioning. Specific attention is given to such critical corrections issues as resource brokering,
problem solving, accountability and communication. Methods and techniques of service delivery
within the context of probation, parole, diversion, halfway houses and other community settings
are stressed.

Learn about the crucial role photographic documentation plays in the criminal justice system.
The knowledge of proper photographic techniques helps ensure that evidence is documented
correctly and admissible in a court of law. This course examines how forensic photography is
used within the criminal justice system in the investigation and prosecution of cases. Students
will learn and apply photographic investigative skills in practical exercises and study the law of
evidence as it applies to this practice.

Learn about firearm ownership, use and gun violence in the United States. Topics include the
technical aspects of firearms, the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, the
research on firearm violence and the arguments for and against gun control.

Learn about the body of United States common law and statutory law that defines criminal
offenses; regulates the apprehension, charging and trial of suspected persons; establishes the
legal defenses; and sets penalties and modes of treatment applicable to convicted offenders.

Learn about the history of gangs, gang and gang member characteristics, gang life, female
gang members, reasons for joining and leaving gangs, gang violence, prison gangs and
strategies of gang control. This course also addresses definitional issues associated with
correctly identifying and classifying gangs and gang members.

Learn about the specialized area of environmental crime law implemented to protect wildlife, the
natural environment and humanity. Students will examine the legislative history of laws
designed to protect the environment and study local, state and federal law including statutes
and court decisions that address wildlife conservation and other environmental issues.
International treaties such as the Conventional on the International Trade in Endangered
Species will be highlighted for study.

This course examines the challenges and risks of crisis intervention in law enforcement,
including the various “front line” crisis intervention situations encountered by police and
corrections officers. Emphasis is on the dynamics of interpersonal relations and crisis
intervention techniques, especially in conflict-oriented situations. Alternatives available to
officers, as well as the relative roles of other legal and social agencies, will be discussed. The
second half of the course will focus on stress issues relative to police and corrections personnel.

This course offers an in-depth study of advanced criminal investigation methods using the latest
research and the application of relevant crime scene technology and technology used in
complex investigations through realistic simulations and case studies.

This course explores the justice systems of various countries and compares the significant
similarities and differences between them and the United States. Both statutory law and
common law are analyzed, as well as crime rates by country, prevention, detention and judicial
procedures.

Learn about the many important policing issues faced by modern law enforcement officers. This
class will examine many of the current policing issues in an effort to get students to begin
formulating possible solutions to these important problems.

This course provides an examination of criminal victimization in the United States via an
overview of current theory, research and trends within the context of specific victimization types.
Particular attention is paid to violent crimes. Students examine specific types of violent crime,
the impact of crime on victims and society, the relationship between offenders and victims, the
role of victims within the criminal justice system, specific remedies, and victim rights and
services.

Learn about the history and current state of the problem of domestic terrorism and international
terrorism. This includes the types and nature of terror; profiles of the individuals, organizations
and nation states involved in terrorism; their motivations and targets; the attacks against the
United States; strategies currently used to control and prevent terrorism; and the prospects for
the future.

Learn about the use of discretion in criminal justice taught in seminar style. Students are
required to participate in realistic simulated decision-making situations that reveal subjective
and subtle influences on the decision makers. Police, institution classification and parole
decision issues are emphasized.

This course focuses on crimes against wildlife, flora and fauna, both endangered and thriving.
Topics include the nature of the wildlife trade; legislation used to control and prevent the illegal
commercialization of wildlife; analysis of specific aspects of crime, including poaching and
wildlife trade; the role of public and private zoos and animal brokers; and examination of
successful and unsuccessful international conservation programs.

Learn the important distinctions between ordinary criminal justice systems (CJS) and criminal
justice systems operating in Indian country. Typical criminal justice courses neglect these
differences and fail to fully prepare students for careers in the CJS field. Therefore, this is a
unique comparative criminal justice course in that comparisons of CJS components are
examined in Indian country as compared to those components operating in larger American
society.

This course focuses on the art and science of problem-solving. Students will be instructed in
use of the SARA model of problem solving that is currently utilized by law enforcement and
corrections agencies nationwide.

Learn about the statutes, constitutional law and case law contrasted against factual
backgrounds that give rise to liability. Emphasis will be placed on understanding strategies for
minimizing the potential administrative, civil and criminal liability exposure to individuals and
agencies.

This course examines the history of cybercrime and the current state of domestic and global
cybercrime. The situation involves exploring various types of crimes committed with computers,
the internet and electronic devices. Students learn investigative techniques and legal issues
related to the investigation of cybercrimes. Also, forensic issues addressed will include
recognition of leads, tracking cybercriminals as well as the collection and preservation of
computer-related (digital) evidence.

Supervised field experience through university-arranged criminal justice internship placements
in law enforcement, corrections, loss prevention or other criminal justice agencies.

The study of special issues in criminal justice at a more advanced level. Sometimes used to
accommodate the training of visiting lecturers.