Shepherd University

2005-07 Catalog
(Volume XLV * May 2005)

Section VII: Courses of Instruction

Criminal Justice

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 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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