CRJ1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice System 4 semester hours
This course explores the administration of criminal justice in the U.S. with a general overview of the total system. Students will explore the role of the police, criminal courts and corrections while learning about the increasing number of careers available within criminal justice. Students also will be expected to conduct “field experiences” of their choice in order to better explore the broad field and multidisciplinary nature of criminal justice.
Meets General Education “Knowing Ourselves and Others” Group B requirement (for students entering Aurora University prior to Summer 2014).
CRJ2150 Correctional Services 4 semester hours
This course examines the role of corrections (i.e., jails, probation, intermediate sanctions, prisons and parole) in the criminal justice system. Topics include operations and management issues of correctional institutions: custody and discipline; recidivism; alternatives to incarceration; treatment; rehabilitation and reentry of offenders; capital punishment; and current and future trends in corrections. The completion of “field experiences” outside the classroom will be expected as a means to enhance and apply course material.
CRJ2210 Courts and Justice 4 semester hours
Structures and legal concepts underlying the American criminal court process are the focus of this course, including theoretical framework and functional and dysfunctional aspects of courts of limited and general jurisdiction. Students will be expected to observe at least four hours of a trial at a local criminal court.
CRJ/SOC2300 Criminology 4 semester hours
This course provides an introduction to theories of criminal causation/control and a general overview of the history and development of both criminology and criminality. Additional areas of study include the criminological enterprise, with attention to crime, criminals, victims and punishment, and special emphasis on understanding the social meaning of crime.
Meets General Education “Knowing Ourselves and Others” Group B requirement (for students entering Aurora University prior to Summer 2014).
CRJ2310 Juvenile Justice 4 semester hours
This course examines ideas and practices unique to the juvenile justice system, including differences based on established values and laws. Basic development concepts of delinquency are related to methods of delinquency control and roles of peace officers, court personnel and correctional staff in the juvenile justice system. Aspects of cultural values that exist in American society and their relationship to school delinquency and disorder are emphasized.
CRJ2400 Principles of Emergency Management 4 semester hours
This course examines the historical context of emergency management to the present day evolution into the world of homeland security. Focus is on the disciplines of the emergency management process: mitigation, preparedness, communications, response and recovery. Students will be provided with a background in international emergency management policies and challenged to develop their own ideas about the future of emergency management in America.
CRJ2420 Criminal Law 4 semester hours
The course provides students with an understanding in the substantive criminal law. Topics include the general principles of criminal liability, such as the elements of actus reus and mens rea; justifications and excuses; vicarious liability and inchoate crimes; and specific analysis of crimes against persons, property and public order. As part of a field experience, students will be expected to observe a criminal court proceeding or similar experience.
CRJ2500 Policing America 4 semester hours
This course examines the policing occupation as it has evolved in the U.S. Traditional law enforcement practices will be compared with contemporary policing and the uses of modern technology. Contemporary topics include spatial crime analysis, directed patrol, profiling, terrorism, misuse of force, problem solving, intelligence-led policing and community building. Students will be expected to conduct “field experiences” outside of the classroom that may be completed individually or within groups.
CRJ3010 International Crime and Justice 4 semester hours
This course examines the conception of law and justice in Western and Eastern societies, including the cultural foundations of legal systems and how these legal systems are sometimes used as instruments of cultural and social change. Interpretations of ideological and developmental differences and similarities are utilized to identify differences and similarities among legal systems. Patterns in laws crimes, corrections and law enforcement practices of selected Western and Eastern societies are also identified.
CRJ3100 Security Leadership 4 semester hours
This course is about effective leadership in the workplace, specifically as it relates to private security. We will discuss and contrast the relationships between private protection services and public law enforcement. A crime prevention model will be developed and used to shape our analysis of the justice system as it relates to both public and private policing. Students will become acquainted with basic principles of security, loss prevention and situational crime prevention that are common and fundamental to all areas of business and assets protection. In addition, concepts underlining situational crime prevention will be discussed with references to contemporary theory and research findings.
CRJ3150 Probation and Parole 4 semester hours
This course centers on the organization and operation of probation and parole systems in the U.S., including history, law, ideologies, varieties of practice, evaluation, contemporary issues, and future trends in probation and parole. The response of these agencies to public pressures and court regulation is also examined, along with implications for rehabilitation.
CRJ/PSC3180 Constitutional Law and the Judicial System 4 semester hours
Cross-listed with PSC3180. For description see PSC3180.
CRJ3200 Homeland Security 4 semester hours
The focus of this course is the complex and ever-changing nature of homeland security in America. The development of the present system of the protection of our homeland is explored by examining the history of security threats to our nation. Students will learn about how the beginning of the Cold War period shaped America’s policies in the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis and in Vietnam. The progressive nature of domestic and international terrorism that culminated in the single largest attack by a foreign enemy on American soil will be explained. In addition, the effect of natural disasters that impact our homeland security priorities will be identified.
CRJ3300 Criminal Investigation 4 semester hours
This course focuses on proper ways to examine crime scenes and collect a wide variety of physical evidence that may be encountered at crime scenes. In addition to the collection and preservation of evidence, this course will emphasize increased use of science and technology to solve crimes. Additional topics include the pragmatic aspects of using evidence to achieve the single goal of delivering justice in a fair and impartial manner.
CRJ3310 Forensic Science 4 semester hours
Forensic science, simply defined, is the application of science to the law. It involves the collection, examination, evaluation, and interpretation of evidence. This course is intended to introduce students to the fundamental principles of forensic science and its application to the American justice system. Students are taught to evaluate the use of biological, chemical and behavioral sciences by our justice system while gaining a basic understanding of the capabilities and limitations of the application of forensic science to the law.
CRJ3350 Terrorism and Counterterrorism 4 semester hours
This course attempts to explain why terrorists “do what they do” by exploring the history of terrorism and shedding light on likely future scenarios. By design, the emphasis is on key historical themes rather than abstract theory. Related topics include international terrorism, religiously motivated terrorism, suicidal terrorism and how the media is used to shape public opinions about terrorist acts.
CRJ3400 Criminal Evidence and Procedure 4 semester hours
This course analyzes the concept of evidence and rules governing its admissibility. New technologies impacting constitutional rights will be explored. Additional topics include theoretical and pragmatic considerations of substantive and procedural laws affecting arrest, search and seizure.
Prerequisites: CRJ1010; CRJ2420.
CRJ3500 Organized Crime 4 semester hours
This course examines the different organized criminal elements in American society, including crimes committed by corporations, governments, political groups, white-collar workers and syndicates. The economic effect of these violations on society is explored, as well as law enforcement efforts to minimize that effect.
CRJ3550 Cyber Crime Investigations 4 semester hours
This course explores how a “networked” world has bred new crimes and new responses. It investigates how information and communication technology (ICT) has become a tool, a target, and a place of criminal activity and national security threats, as well as a mechanism of response. This course addresses such questions as how emerging technologies challenge existing laws and criminal procedures; what reasonable expectations of privacy are in cyberspace; and how control is shifting from traditional mechanisms of law enforcement to new regulatory regimes, including technology. The focus of this course is how the emergence of advanced information societies challenges certain prevailing social and philosophical constructs of criminal justice, social control and individual freedom.
CRJ3610 Research Methods 4 semester hours
This course provides students with knowledge of basic principles and understandings fundamental to research used in criminal justice. Topics include the theory and application of social science research: the selection of appropriate research methods, ethical and practical issues, and data collection and preparation. Students will utilize SPSS in computer lab exercises to enter and analyze data to produce statistical information for interpretation and presentation of findings. Ultimately, the course aims to assist students in becoming more informed consumers and producers of criminal justice information.
CRJ3650 Schools and Delinquency 4 semester hours
In this course, attempts are made to identify those variables associated with schools that have relevance to delinquency. Delinquency is viewed as adjustments that juveniles as individuals and as members of subculture groups make in relation to school goals, performance, rules and expectations. Aspects of cultural values that are emphasized in American society and their relationship to school delinquency and disorder are analyzed, along with laws governing school children and school administrators on matters of juvenile law violation
CRJ3700 Forensic Investigation of Child Abuse and Neglect 4 semester hours
This course explains the causes, symptoms, and signs of child physical abuse and sexual abuse. Sexual abuse myths and realities are explored along with delayed disclosures and recantations. The lessons learned in this class will be practical and applicable for students in a wide variety of fields to include criminal justice, education, nursing, social work and psychology.
CRJ3810 Issues in Criminal Justice 4 semester hours
This course entails intensive discussion and research in contemporary and permanent problems affecting the criminal justice system and hence the American regime. Specific content is determined by the needs and interests of the student. Students may take two different issues courses.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
CRJ4200 Administration of Criminal Justice Agencies 4 semester hours
This course is about how leadership drives change in criminal justice agencies. The impact of politics, unions, conflicting service demands and limited resources will be explored. This course provides a critical examination of the organization and administration of municipal police agencies and their functions. Concepts of organizational theory are used to integrate proven concepts into the police service.
Prerequisite: CRJ2500 or consent of instructor.
CRJ4400 Introduction to Intelligence Policy 4 semester hours
This course is designed to give students an understanding of the role intelligence plays in making national security policy and insight into its strengths and weaknesses. The history and an overview of the U.S. intelligence community will be explored. Focus will be on the intelligence processes: requirements, collection, analysis, dissemination and policy. Additional topics will include covert action and counter intelligence. Students will be required to debate and form their own conclusions about how the U.S. intelligence community operates.
CRJ4800 Strategic Planning and Ethics 4 semester hours
This course discusses effective management practices that are central to criminal justice professionals and academic researchers who evaluate and question managerial methodology. This course is designed to analyze these organizational changes to prepare students to effectively lead within these changes. Students will learn how to comprehend and direct strategic planning, missions, goals, objectives, and action plans through an ethical lens that will test personal values and beliefs. Students will be expected to develop a professional résumé and create a working leadership career path.
Prerequisites: CRJ1010; junior status (prerequisite for internship); consent of instructor.
CRJ4940 Criminal Justice Internship 4–12 semester hours (variable)
This course is designed for criminal justice students who are undertaking an internship with a public agency or private firm. Research, observation, study and/or work in selected criminal justice agencies supplement classroom study with constructive participation in the criminal justice system. The internship experience must be planned through student-instructor interviews before registration as provided under internship regulations. The objective of the course is to assist the intern and the participating agencies in getting the most out of the student-learning experience. Students electing this option will need to complete a contract with the participating internship agency and a member of the criminal justice faculty. They will contract 48 clock hours for every one (1) semester hour. Therefore, a student must contract for at least 192 hours and a maximum of 576 hours to complete this elective. A maximum of four semester hours of internship count toward the criminal justice major electives, with any remaining semester hours counting toward the 120 total semester hours required for graduation.
Prerequisite: CRJ4800 or consent of instructor.