A survey of the American Criminal Justice System as a socio-political institution. The police, criminal courts, and correctional and rehabilitative endeavors will be analyzed within the framework of empirical research from the perspectives of the social sciences. Required of all freshmen in the Criminal Justice major.

Corrections is described as a study of the historical and contemporary views that examine the punishment of crime, offender management, and rehabilitation. This course focuses on correctional philosophy, theory, and practices. It further explores sentencing, jails, prisons, probation, parole, correctional policies, agencies, prison life, treatment, challenges facing correctional populations, and reentry.

This course provides students with a theoretical framework for the practice of evidence collection and crime scene preservation. Various techniques and protocols for investigation will be reviewed and linked to methods of collection of physical evidence, as well as the interpretation, accountability, and preservation of data. Techniques of documentation and case preparation will also be explored.

The structure and function of law enforcement agencies in contemporary society will be analyzed in their sociological context. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of the police within the framework of the Criminal Justice System.

This course provides an overview of research concepts, designs, and applications within the content areas of criminal justice. Reasoning, concept construction, theoretical frameworks, ethical principles, and professional writing conventions are examined.

The study of the different types of evidence, relevance, the hearsay rule and its exceptions, impeachment and cross- examination and privileged communications.

This course focuses on the study of criminal punishment and society, and is designed to introduce a broad social framework from which one can critically explore prisons, the death penalty, and various correctional strategies. Assigned readings, discussions and out-of-class written assignments will provide the student with the tools necessary for critical thinking about complex problems in corrections. This semester we will explore what Austin and Irwin describe as the “Prison Explosion.”

An intensive analysis of selected problems in American law enforcement and police-community relations. A major research paper is required.

The "nothing works" doctrine generated by the controversial Martinson report has resulted in considerable confusion regarding the effectiveness of corrections programs designed to elicit specific behavioral changes on the part of the correctional client. This course will thoroughly examine the debate surrounding the "nothing works" doctrine and present those methods of rehabilitation that have proven effective in the treatment of offenders. Probation, parole and programs for the incarcerated offender will be the primary focus of this course.

This course will serve as an introduction to issues related to religion and the criminal justice system. Topics will include the religious origins of the legal and correctional systems, religion and contemporary law, religion in prison and corrections, hate crimes and terrorism.

Restorative Community Justice is based on a new vision of criminal justice that stresses offender reintegration through offender accountability. Rather than simply a legal violation, crime is viewed as a breach in the relationship between the offender and the victim, and also the offender and the community. To the greatest degree possible, resolution should rest in the hands of those most directly involved, with the state mediating the conflict. This course will explore the philosophy of restorative justice, and current practices of victim-offender mediation, where the offender is required to directly confront the person(s) harmed, and the victim is given a real voice. It will examine how offenses can be resolved in ways that are positive and constructive for victims, communities, and also for offenders. The student will develop an understanding of the basic tenets of restorative justice, and also knowledge of how this concept is being applied in criminal justice practices in the U.S. and internationally.

An examination of the issues of race and ethnicity which continue to affect all aspects of criminal justice in America. Whether as offenders, victims, or as persons working (or seeking to work) within the system, African Americans, Hispanics, and other minorities are treated differently than non-minorities. This course explores the core concepts of race and ethnicity as they have developed in our culture, and examines the evidence for and against various forms of racism and discrimination in key institutions of the criminal justice system. The nature and status of constitutional, statutory, and other remedies are also explored.

This course provides students with a theoretical framework for the practice of investigation in both the private and public sectors. Various techniques and protocols for investigation will be explored including infractions and ethics investigations and background investigations. Students will link these methods to the collection of physical evidence, interpretation and preservation of data, rules of evidence, techniques of documentation, along with interview and interrogation approaches.