Criminal Justice
Course Descriptions

Sociology
Geography
Anthropology
 

CRIM 200. INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3)
This course will provide an overview of the criminal justice system, its history, its philosophical
development, and its contemporary configurations. Issues of law enforcement, adjudication, and
corrections will be covered. Students will examine career opportunities and requirements in the
criminal justice field and will become familiar with local, state, and national criminal justice
systems.

CRIM 310. PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL LAW (3)
This course explores the nature, origins, and general principles of criminal law. It examines
pertinent aspects of federal and state criminal law, and concentrates on specific issues of interest
to law enforcement including an examination of procedural law. Recent court decisions will de
discussed and selected criminal offenses will be analyzed.

CRIM 311. CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCEDURES (3)
Constitutional analysis of criminal procedure that focuses primarily on the Fourth, Fifth, and
Sixth Amendments; the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure, the privilege against
self-incrimination, and the right to counsel. The course examines the need to protect the public
and enhance law enforcement efficiency and the need to protect individual defendants from abuse
at the hands of the state.

CRIM 320. CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM (3)
This course will focus on the jurisdiction policies and procedures of criminal courts in the
administration of justice. The role of the courts is pursued in determining social policy as it relates
to criminology. Also, a complete survey of the criminal court system from local to state to federal
jurisdiction will be taken.

CRIM 325. PENOLOGY (3)
This survey will cover the American correctional institution’s historical background and the
social requirements. An in-depth survey will be conducted into how the different types of
institutions evolved and how each is applied to given situations in the criminal justice system, i.e.,
jails, detention centers, prisons.

CRIM 330. JUVENILE JUSTICE PROCEDURES (3)
Historical, philosophical, and legal examination of the separate system and procedures created
in our society. This course will survey the development of the juvenile justice system in the country
and examines the various stages of the juvenile justice processes and critical issues currently facing
the system.

CRIM 340. CORRECTIONAL PROCEDURE (3)
This course will examine the roles and procedures of legal and other social agencies in the
treatment of the offender. Also, an overview of treatment theories which influence and alter the
attitudes, values, and behaviors of inmates will be given.

CRIM 410. PROSECUTION AND DEFENSE (3)
Behavioral and legal analysis of the stages and procedures of a criminal case including initial
appearance, bail, preliminary hearing, grand jury, arraignment, suppression hearings, trial, and
sentencing. Emphasis is on bail reform, plea bargaining, screening, diversion, speedy trial,
insanity defense, discovery, and the role of the defense attorney, prosecutor, and judge. Included
is an examination of the court system as a social institution of human actors who exercise
extensive discretion within the boundaries of the law.

CRIM 419. INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3)
This course provides academic and field supervision concerning a community-based organizational
placement in the criminal justice system. A variety of these placements are available,
centering on the area a student has selected, such as juvenile justice, correction, law enforcement.

CRIM 420. VICTIMOLOGY (3)
This course will provide an overview of the programs within the criminal justice system which
work with victims of crime and their families. Programs for the families of the offenders also will
be studied. This overview will discuss the interrelationships between the various parts of the
system concerning victims, legislators, lawyers, courts, jails, and prisons. The reporting of crimes
of victims also is included.

CRIM 425. POLICE AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS (3)
An introduction to concepts of organizational behavior and the principles of organization and
management as applied to law enforcement agencies. Topics include line activities of law
enforcement agencies, with emphasis on the patrol function and the prevention of crime, and
traffic, investigative, juvenile, vice, and other specialized operational units.

CRIM 440. PROBATION AND PAROLE (3)
This course examines the history, objectives, performance, and future of the full range of
probation, parole, intermediate sanctions, and community corrections services viewed as integral
parts of the formal criminal justice process. Research and policy developments, training and
personnel issues, what works with different classes of offenders (including juveniles), the
presentence investigation/reporting system, sentencing and incarceration, recidivism rates, legal
issues, public perceptions, and trends within the system are among the topics covered.

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