Examines the American criminal justice system. Investigates the agencies and processes involved in the administration of criminal justice. Considers various approaches in defining, measuring, and controlling crime.

Investigates the nature and causation of crime. Gives attention to major theoretical explanations for crime as well as to the treatment and prevention of crime.

Explores the nature, development, and causation of delinquent behavior among juveniles. Gives emphasis to contemporary trends and practices in the prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency.

Discusses principles and practices of criminal investigation including crime scene conduct and procedures, collection and preservation of evidence, interview and interrogation techniques, development of leads, and the use of surveillance techniques.

Investigation and analysis of the history, current practices, and various aspects of the corrections system. Gives attention to the future direction of corrections.

Analysis of criminal evidence rules in the United States. Gives emphasis to the exclusionary rule and the distinction between real and testimonial evidence as admitted or excluded from court proceedings. Discussion includes topics of trial procedures, examination of witnesses, real/physical evidence, circumstantial evidence, the hearsay rule and its exceptions, the opinion evidence rule, privileged communications, declarations against interests, and judicial notice.

Studies the leading Supreme Court decisions relating to criminal justice. Analyzes the character of judicial power and review in regards to criminal justice. Considers the relationship of states to the Bill of Rights as well as to constitutional decisions bearing upon issues of search and seizure, the rights of persons and the accused in criminal prosecutions, and due process and equal protection under the law.

Analysis of the diverse ethical dilemmas encountered in the criminal justice profession. Considers the importance of an ethic of virtue that focuses on an individual's character as the source of virtuous action- both personal and professional. Evaluates leading ethical theories as they are applied to diverse ethical dilemmas in the criminal justice profession and examines various standards and codes of professional conduct within the criminal justice profession.

Examines major approaches to research including both quantitative and qualitative methods. Students will explore the difference between historical case studies and statistical research, such as opinion polling. Emphasizes the skills necessary for differentiating between good and bad research and developing hypotheses.

Prerequisites:MATH 201

Investigates comprehensive and sub-system theories of criminal justice. Gives attention to utilitarian, preventionist, retributive, and restorative approaches to criminal justice.

Studies and compares the criminal justice system and basic philosophies of law and justice of various Western and non-Western nations.

Capstone course for the integration and synthesis of knowledge and principles concerning the criminal justice system, law and adjudication, criminology, law enforcement, ethics, diversity, research methods and other areas of study. Students plan, design, and conduct a research project. Final papers report the results of the study and are presented in a formal research seminar. As part of course, an electronic portfolio may be required.

Prerequisites:Senior standing

Examines criminal law in the United States with special attention given to various principles that apply to most criminal cases. Investigation includes the history and development of criminal law in the United States, an analysis of a number of specific types of crimes, parties to crime, and criminal defenses.

Investigates the processes through which criminal law is applied to individuals in society. Explores the lawfulness and admissibility of criminal procedures, trial processes, sentencing, and appeals.

Explores the history, development, and changing dynamics of homeland security at and between local, state, and national government levels. Gives special attention to theories of homeland security management, the Department of Homeland Security and its statutory authority, and hazard mitigation and disaster preparedness.

Considers various approaches to understanding the nature and causation of terrorism. Considers the objectives of terrorism, modern terrorist groups and their strategy and tactics, and the role and limits of the criminal justice system in addressing terrorism.

An approved independent study option, supervised by faculty, in a directed area of scholarship. Study is administered according to a learning contract between a chosen faculty member and the student.

Examines the history, development, and current organizational and administrative practices of police departments and other law enforcement agencies.

Explores the response and adaptation of criminal justice practice to such problems as international crime, transnational organized crime, cyber crime, terrorism, and rapid sociopolitical, technological, and economic change.

An approved independent study option, supervised by faculty, in a directed area of scholarship. Study is administered according to a learning contract between a chosen faculty member and the student.

Approved internship in a field of the student's specialty. This guided learning experience is a culminating experience in which the student applies the principles and skills learned, demonstrating competency under the guidance of a specialist in the field