Sustainability Courses

Study of the application of science to law and the criminal justice system. Overview of disciplines, theories, techniques and practices of which the field of forensic science is comprised.

Read more about CRJS-4800 : Forensic Science

Critical analysis and comprehensive overview of contemporary practices, procedures, and problems in the processing of offenders through the juvenile, police, courts, and corrections agencies of the criminal justice system. Emphasis on the examination of interrelationships between the agencies. Special attention is focused on current and important issues in the various criminal justice agencies, research conducted in criminal justice, and the impact of policy on the criminal justice system.

Read more about CRJS-5010 : Criminal Justice Theory

Examination of classic and contemporary theoretical explanations of crime from multiple criminological perspectives including classical, biological, psychological, and sociological theories. Analysis of crime patterns and crime correlates and substantive focus on the application of such theories to criminal justice agencies, community, and society.

Read more about CRJS-5020 : Advanced Criminological Theory

Study of theory and research on the nature of law and legal institutions. Investigation into the functions and effects of informal and formal social control mechanisms, the use of law to impact social change, the relation of law to ameliorate social conflict, and an empirical investigation into the effectiveness of law.

Read more about CRJS-5030 : Law and Social Control

Exploration of ethical dilemmas faced by professionals in law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Examination of discretionary power in criminal justice agencies and different stages of the criminal justice process. Seminar discussion of/reflection on decision making and ethical scenarios in criminal justice contexts.

Read more about CRJS-5050 : Criminal Justice Ethics and Decision Making

Examination of the institutional and societal influences on how policies are identified, prioritized and created; how and why policies become codified. Focus on the effect research has on policy creation and/or policy amendment. Special attention to/critical analysis of the impact of particular policies on the criminal justice system such as three strikes laws, amber alerts, mandatory domestic violence prosecution, felony voting legislation, minimum sentencing guidelines, sexually violent predat...

Read more about CRJS-5110 : Criminal Justice Legislation and Policy

Examination of postmodern alternative theoretical frameworks and methodologies that deconstruct scientific thinking, language, and theoretical perspectives that have perpetuated oppression and have shaped construction of crime and power relations of justice and injustice. Focus on Marxist, feminist, radical, and cultural perspectives that critically challenge traditional theories and perspectives on crime and justice with attention to the ways in which the politics of meaning around race, class,...

Read more about CRJS-5130 : Critical Criminology

This course explores the use of profiles in criminological theory and criminal justice practice with focus on profiling violent crimes. Examination of the differences between the types of crimes and criminals, what criminal profiling is, who does it, and how is it done. It will expose profiling as a science, profession, art, or media myth, consider the ethical issues of profiles when they are used in police investigations and the prediction of dangerousness. The course is intended to provide stu...

Read more about CRJS-5140 : Investigative Criminology and Offender Profiling

Examination of research on criminal behavior and crime types. Seminar discussion of the ways in which theories of criminal behavior and typology research has been applied in the criminal justice system in criminal investigation, adjudication process, correctional management and treatment, victim services, public safety, risk assessment, and prediction of dangerousness.

Read more about CRJS-5150 : Typologies of Crime and Criminal Behavior

Introduction and overview of methods, models, approaches, and practices used in gathering data about crime and criminal behavior and examination of application of criminological theory to applied crime analysis. Focus on analysis of criminal incidents, identification of patterns, trends, and problems using evidence and data sets necessary to determine the nature of offense behavior, modus operandi and signature, victim-offender interactions, offending patterns, offense escalation, case linkage, ...

Read more about CRJS-5170 : Crime Analysis