Criminal and Justice Studies (CJS)

CJS 1000: Introduction to Criminal Justice Professions

This course is designed to provide an overview of criminal and justice professions. Information about selected criminal and justice careers and topics will be provided to help students make informed decisions about their future. Guest faculty and practitioners will provide overviews of career paths and details regarding the knowledge and skills involved in distinct fields. The course is designed to engage students in thinking critically about criminal and justice systems and about choosing a career in the field. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hour: 1

CJS 1200: Criminal Justice

(same as SOC_WK 1200). This course provides an introduction to the history and development of criminal justice in our country and includes policing and law enforcement, and the adjudication and court process as well as the terminology associated with each system. Theories on crime, prison, community corrections and reentry discussions for both juvenile and adult systems will be addressed. Emphasis will be placed on an overview to the major sociological and psychological perspectives on variations from normative individual and group behaviors prevalent in the U.S. society while providing a strengths perspective in which to understand them. Finally, this course will evaluate the delicate balance between community interest and personal freedom that criminal justice decision-making requires.

Credit Hours: 3

CJS 1500: Skills for Public Safety Professionals

This course is designed to introduce students to theory and application of systems-theory and person-in-environment within professional practice in the criminal-legal field. Students will develop knowledge and techniques that can be used to promote public safety at micro, mezzo, and macro levels, emphasizing observational assessment and interaction skills. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 2
Prerequisites: CJS 1200

CJS 2000: Exploration in Social and Economic Justice

(same as PEA_ST 2000, SOC_WK 2000). This course explores issues of fairness and equality in economic, political and social systems, and applies social justice principles to major social problems. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: ENGLSH 1000

CJS 2000W: Exploration in Social and Economic Justice - Writing Intensive

(same as SOC_WK 2000W, PEA_ST 2000W). This course explores issues of fairness and equality in economic, political and social systems, and applies social justice principles to major social problems. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: ENGLSH 1000

CJS 3003: Substance Use and Mental Health Approaches for Justice Involved Populations

This course is designed to introduce students to the intersection of the criminal-legal system and mental illness and substance use disorders. Students take a deep look into the history of how mental illness symptoms and substance use are criminalized as well as trends in prevalence rates, risk factors, and interventions. Current and historic interventions are explored across the different facets of the criminal-legal system including policing, courts, jails and prison, and community settings. Students will learn through lecture, docuseries, podcasts, experiential learning, and case studies. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: CJS 1200 and CJS 2000

CJS 3500: Criminal Justice Policy Analysis & Reform

Designed to prepare students to understand the role of policy and policy analysis in criminal legal system practices, procedures, and structure. Students will explore key policies in the history of the criminal legal system and implementation of these policies. Provide students with the opportunity to evaluate current policies to understand key facets of pieces of legislation, the impact on communities and individuals, and unintended consequences of legislation. The course will use a mix of lecture, docuseries, podcasts, case studies, and discussion. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: CJS 1200 and CJS 2000

CJS 3500W: Criminal Justice Policy Analysis & Reform - Writing Intensive

CJS 4101: Topics in Criminal and Justice Studies

Special and emerging topics in criminal and justice studies. Subject, content and credit varies depending on available faculty and student interest. May be repeated for credit.

Credit Hour: 1-6
Prerequisites: Departmental consent required

CJS 4355: Study Abroad: Comparative Criminal and Juvenile Justice

(same as SOC_WK 4355; cross-leveled with SOC_WK 7355). This course explores issues of criminal and juvenile justice through a brief survey of the US approach to dealing with people involved in the criminal-legal system and a 10-day visit to Costa Rica to see correctional institutions, meet with justice officials and criminologists, and explore agencies engaged in community-based efforts to address crime and delinquency. This course provides an overview of the justice process and the criminal justice system and provides students an opportunity to consider different approaches to dealing with offending and rehabilitation. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3

CJS 4356: Criminal and Justice System Experiential Learning

Designed to teach students about working within the criminal-legal system through hands-on learning in the community. Students have an opportunity to apply theoretical and other academic concepts to real-world experiences. Divided into two parts: recorded lectures, mixed media, and reflection questions to promote learning about the different criminal-legal systems and at least 80 hours of service learning. Students have opportunity for reflection on how course concepts inform their work in the community and their readiness for entry into their chosen career path. Students will receive feedback from community partners to facilitate professional growth. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: CJS 1500

CJS 4370: Delinquency, Corrections and Social Treatment

(same as SOC_WK 4370; cross-leveled with SOC_WK 7370). Focuses on problems and causative factors in developing and maintaining delinquent and criminal behavior and attitudes: addressing critical and comparative understanding of social change strategies employed in this field.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Junior Standing

CJS 4980: Applied Research in Justice Systems

Designed to introduce students to social science research that focuses on the criminal-legal system. In this capstone course, students will learn to apply basic social research skills through an introduction to research ethics, design, procedures, measurement, analysis, and dissemination. Students will learn about seminal studies in criminal-legal research, critically appraise existing research and identify gaps in knowledge. Students will learn about criminal-legal research through small group discussions, application assignments, and a major final project. The final course project culminates with a research proposal and student presentations. Graded on A-F basis only.

Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites or Corequisites: STAT 1200, STAT 2500 or ESC_PS 4170
Prerequisites: CJS 1500. Junior standing or higher