Plan of Study – Criminal Justice

An overview of the criminal justice system in the United States. The history of law enforcement; the political, sociological, and philosophic background of police functions, the courts and corrections system; constitutional problems as they relate to the police function; and the use of recent technology in criminal justice is explored.

An overview of the post-correctional process as a function of the criminal justice system in contemporary society; the development of correctional philosophy, theory, history and practice; a description of institutional operation, programming and management; special populations; the effects of institutionalization upon individuals; alternatives to incarceration; survey of career opportunities. Prerequisite: CJ 1020.

An overview of the police function and responsibility at the local, state and federal level. Examination of the philosophy, history, character, structure, function, and complexity and limitations imposed on law enforcement in a democratic society. Police operations examined relative to effectiveness in crime control, delivery of service, and order maintenance. Prerequisite: CJ 1020.

Organization and management of the various criminal justice agencies through the United States. Includes systems of management, substance abuse as a management problem, and systems analyses and their relationships.

Analysis of the American state and federal court systems; history, traditions, and philosophy underlying the American system of justice; legal systems and law; court structures and roles: judges, prosecutors, attorneys, litigants; and the adjudication process: arrest to arraignment, trials, juries, and sentencing.

This course examines the elements of criminal law, its purposes and its legal function. The course will focus on case law that relates to the laws of arrest, search and seizure, the rights and duties of officers and its citizens. Students will study the elements necessary to establish crime and criminal intent, sources of criminal law, criminal investigation procedures, criminal responsibility and general court procedures.

Study of the incidence, type, causes, and theories of adult deviant behavior. Emphasis is placed upon current crime trends and statistics and the processes involved in dealing with crime.

Theories of causation and prevention of delinquency; role of the courts, policy prevention programs, institutions in the control, and prevention of juvenile delinquency.

Introduction to constitutional law, political theory. Historical examination of the major Supreme Court decisions which have contributed to contemporary judicial interpretations of the Constitution.

An examination of the multitude of ethical dilemmas encountered in the criminal justice system. Ethical issues inherent in a variety of practical situations identified and discussed. Focus on problem solving strategies, interpersonal skills, and professional considerations relevant to criminal justice practitioners. Course discussions and group work provide a foundation for ethical decision-making related to policing, the courts, corrections, interpersonal relations, and diversity.

The art of interviewing and interrogation and the comprehensive skills necessary for the integration and documentation of information that is obtained from a wide variety of sources. Prerequisite: CJ 1020. At the completion of the course, students will be able to: 1. Complete a comprehensive police report. 2. Analyze the laws of criminal investigation. 3. Apply interview techniques in a given investigative context. 4. Apply criminal interrogation techniques in a given investigative context.

Capstone course providing a critical analysis of contemporary criminal justice practices and procedures, current issues, trends, new programs, and court decisions affecting the criminal justice system. Topics such as multiculturalism, ethics, corruption, crime, civil/criminal liability, victimology, and public policy are considered. Prerequisite: Senior standing and departmental approval.