CJS 101. Introduction to Criminal Justice Studies. 3 Hours

Introduction to the field of criminal justice studies, stressing the theoretical foundations, origin, nature, methods, and limitations of criminal justice studies as a college curriculum.

CJS 207. Research Methods in Criminal Justice Studies. 3 Hours

Review of the nature, language, and processes of inquiry involving experiments, studies, surveys, and investigations. The instrumentation, types, and structures of content analysis, questionnaires, interviews, and structured observation are examined. Prerequisite(s): CJS 101.

CJS 210. Theories of Crime and Delinquency. 3 Hours

This course will provide an overview of a variety of criminal justice theories. Attention will be directed toward the study of the major theoretical schools of thought which have influenced the discipline of criminology and criminal justice. The foundational goal of this course is to develop an understanding of crime and delinquency through different theoretical frameworks. Prerequisite: CJS 101.

CJS 214. Cyber Essentials for Criminal Justice. 3 Hours

The purpose of this course is to familiarize Criminal Justice students with a basic understanding of computers, the internet, cybersecurity and modern computing developments. These topics will be combined with criminal justice applications in order to provide students with the knowledge needed to address digital aspects of their future careers in Criminal Justice or Security Studies. This course is intended to be an introduction to cybersecurity and is thus suitable for complete newcomers to the area. No technical background or knowledge is required.

CJS 300. Criminal Justice Studies Career Development. 3 Hours

Exploration of career opportunities and the professional career placement process including setting goals and identifying educational objectives, noting professional concerns, the role of a given criminal justice organization, and assessing experiences.

CJS 303. Theory and Practice of Corrections. 3 Hours

Study of the organization and administration of correctional institutions and other detention facilities with emphasis on probation, parole, and reentry systems to include the rehabilitation and treatment of the incarcerated with reference to correctional law cases. Prerequisites: CJS 101 or SSC 200 or ANT 150 or ECO 203 or ECO 204 or POL 201 or POL 202 or PSY 101 or SOC 101 or SOC 204 or SWK 201 or Department Chair.

CJS 305. Criminal Law. 3 Hours

Principles of criminal liability, preparation of case materials, court procedures, and case disposition.

CJS 315. Criminal Procedure. 3 Hours

Fundamentals of criminal procedure: arrest, search, and seizure; interrogation, constitutional limitations upon state and federal rules of criminal procedure. Prerequisite(s): A course in criminal law.

CJS 316. Criminal Justice Ethics. 3 Hours

Examination of issues and dilemmas associated with professional decision-making within the U.S. criminal justice system. Students will develop knowledge of ethical systems as applied to issues in real-world criminal justice contexts, critically evaluate current ethical dilemmas through a social justice lens, and gain personal insight by developing a personal framework for responding to ethical challenges associated with the justice system. Prerequisites: PHL 103 or PHL 1HC or ASI 120.

CJS 322. Policing & Society. 3 Hours

Analyzes the history of policing in society and assesses the social and political forces that are correlated with both the rise of formal policing and the variety of structures law enforcement agencies have assumed. Reviews the primary functions of policing in American society and examines those issues affecting federal, state, county, municipal and private policing.

CJS 336. Comparative Criminal Justice Systems. 3 Hours

Survey of cross-cultural uniformities and diversities in law-enforcement agencies, correctional systems, and the courts in selected countries. Attention is focused on transnational crime and justice. Sophomore standing or higher.

CJS 340. American Violence. 3 Hours

Examination of historical, comparative, political, psychological, and social structural aspects of violent crime and criminal justice system responses. Prerequisites: SSC 200 or ANT 150 or CJS 101 or ECO 203 or ECO 204 or POL 201 or POL 202 or PSY 101 or SOC 101 or SOC 204 or SWK 201.

CJS 360. Anti-Human Trafficking Advocacy. 3 Hours

Exploration of human trafficking at global, national, and local levels with a focus on advocacy and disruption efforts.

CJS 375. Restorative Justice. 3 Hours

Seminar where students learn principles, practices, and review the effectiveness of restorative justice approaches as tools for conflict resolution, transformation, and peacebuilding in the community. Prerequisites: CJS 101 and SSC 200 or ANT 150 or ECO 203 or ECO 204 or POL 201 or POL 202 or PSY 101 or SOC 101 or SOC 204 or SWK 201.

CJS 387. Cybersecurity Law. 3 Hours

This course examines the laws that govern cyber and cybersecurity. Understanding these laws and the legal challenges raised by the advent of cyber is vital for those working in security/law enforcement fields, whether in the public or private sector. The course will survey the significant areas of law governing cyber, to include the following topics: digital privacy law, liability of social media (Section 230), cyber criminal laws, laws governing law enforcement cyber investigations and surveillance, cybersecurity laws and regulations for the corporate sector, and the legal framework governing federal cyber operations and cyber surveillance.

CJS 390. Cyber Crimes and Investigations. 3 Hours

This course provides students with an overview of crimes involving the use of computer technology and the internet. Students will learn how computer related crimes are committed and how law enforcement officials investigate them. Topics covered will include defining and describing the different types of computer-related crimes, the techniques used by officials, and the legal subjects in combating cyber crime.

CJS 399. Special Topics in Criminal Justice Studies. 1-3 Hours

An extensive examination of a current topic affecting the criminal justice system and its law enforcement, corrections or judicial components. May be repeated to a maximum of three semester hours when the topic changes.

CJS 408. Senior Seminar. 3 Hours

Preparation for a criminal justice capstone experience. Students will explore vocational and career aspects of criminal justice and criminological disciplines. Students will prepare for research or community engaged or research projects. Required for Criminal Justice majors. Prerequisite(s): CJS 207 or SOC 208 or POL 207 or PSY 217.

CJS 409. Senior Capstone. 3 Hours

Capstone experience in criminal justice studies consisting of a seminar on research, writing, and ethics in criminology and criminal justice with a project and a written and oral presentation; students will reflect on how criminal justice course work, experiences, and research will influence their professional activities and how they will serve their communities. Prerequisites: CJS 207 or permission of instructor; Senior standing.

CJS 433. Digital Forensics I. 3 Hours

This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of digital forensics, investigation tools and techniques. Studies the importance of digital evidence controls, preservation, and recovery. Also explores how to process crime and incident scenes, details of data acquisition, computer forensic analysis, image file recovery, investigative report writing, and basic cyber-criminal law concepts. CJS 387 or equivalent recommended.

CJS 440. Independent Study. 3 Hours

Directed study and research on selected topics of significant academic publications in law enforcement and criminal justice. Prerequisite(s): An introductory CJS course; permission of instructor.

CJS 477. Honors Thesis Project. 3 Hours

First of two courses leading to the selection, design, investigation, and completion of an independent, original Honors Thesis project under the guidance of a faculty research advisor. Restricted to students in the University Honors Program with permission of the program director and department chairperson. Students pursuing an interdisciplinary thesis topic may register for three semester hours each in two separate disciplines in consultation with the department chairpersons. Prerequisite(s): Approval of University Honors Program.

CJS 478. Honors Thesis Project. 3 Hours

Second of two courses leading to the selection, design, investigation, and completion of an independent, original Honors Thesis project under the guidance of a faculty research advisor. Restricted to students in the University Honors Program with permission of the program director and department chairperson. Students pursuing an interdisciplinary thesis topic may register for three semester hours each in two separate disciplines in consultation with the department chairpersons. Prerequisite(s): Approved CJS 477; approval of University Honors Program.

CJS 495. Internship in Criminal Justice I. 1-3 Hours

Supervised experience solely in a civilian capacity in a criminal justice or law-enforcement agency. Open to pre-service criminal justice studies majors only; in-service students do not qualify. Students who enroll for internship credit are not given a stipend. Credit granted only under Grading Option Two. Prerequisite(s): 2.5 cumulative grade-point average; sophomore status; permission of program director.

CJS 496. Internship in Criminal Justice II. 1-3 Hours

Continuation of CJS 495.

CJS 497. Service Learning Experience. 1 Hour

Supervised community research or service experience that complements a specific upper division course in Criminal Justice Studies. No more than three semester hours of Social Science 497 credits can count for graduation. Repeatable up to three semester hours. Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor. Corequisite(s): CJS course (300- or 400-level).