COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
JUS – Criminal Justice
JUS 101 – Introduction to Criminal Justice: 3 credits
An introduction to the criminal justice system that focuses on fundamental concepts and ideas surrounding today’s law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional institutions. Students will survey the function of each component independently and collectively.
JUS 125 – American Courts: 3 credits
The student will explore the varying jurisdictions of federal, state, and local municipality courts, their areas of legal responsibility, including pretrial, trial, sentencing procedures, and appellate processes. Court alternatives, juvenile courts, specialty courts, and other judiciary topics are also explored.
JUS 235 – Juvenile Delinquency and Justice: 3 credits
Presents and identifies the causes and influences of delinquent behavior, and suggests strategies for prevention. Focus is given on how delinquency develops, persists, and effects an individual’s life. The student will also become familiar with techniques used to divert delinquent behavior and modern treatment interventions.
Prerequisites: JUS 101 and 125
JUS 244 – Criminology: 3 credits
An introductory course that investigates the major criminological theories surrounding social causes of criminal behavior. This course introduces classical and neo-classical theories concerning crime and punishment, how offenders learn to commit crime and develop their criminal behavior. Students will also research policies inspired by each theory and examine their societal impact.
Prerequisite: JUS 101
JUS 245 – Terrorism: 3 credits
Study encompasses a survey of the origins of terrorism and how diverse terrorist groups, both domestic and foreign, were established in different regions of the world. Concentration then shifts to analyzing terrorist trends and strategies, and explores methods of enforcement used to respond to and prevent terrorist attacks.
Prerequisite: JUS 101
JUS 311 – Law Enforcement Administration and Management: 3 credits
Defines and analyses the criminal justice system from an organizational point of view. Topics include organizational theories, models, and typologies of various law enforcement organizations. Administrative and managerial approaches and concepts of leadership are also explored.
Prerequisite: JUS 313
JUS 313 – Constitutional Criminal Procedure: 3 Credits
An examination of how the Constitution and the appellate courts drive the rights of the accused and the limits of government power in criminal court processes from investigation, arrest and trial through conviction, sentencing, corrections and appeal. The study will include the interplay between Constitutionally protected civil rights and the role of government. Court cases and current events will be examined.
Prerequisites: JUS 101 and 125
JUS 325 – Criminalistics and Forensic Science: 3 credits
Through a systematic approach the student builds upon basic investigative knowledge and focuses on forensic sciences, scientific methodology, and practical applications used to enhance criminal investigations. Emphasis is given to crime scene processing, DNA analysis, trace analysis, and other forensic disciplines used to solve crimes.
Prerequisite: JUS 244
JUS 345 – Mock Trial: 3 credits
Course in being a trial lawyer. Students will master the Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) and apply them in a trial advocacy setting, either through the introduction of testimonial, documentary, or demonstrative evidence and/or by objecting to said admission of evidence. The student will perform all phases of a mock trial, from opening statements, direct, and cross-examinations (with objections), introducing evidence, jury instructions, and closing arguments. Last two weeks will be devoted to a full mock trial exercise.
Prerequisite: JUS 313
JUS 413 – Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice: 3 credits
A survey of current issues plaguing the criminal justice system and the intervention methods the criminal justice community uses to counter these concerns. Students analyze issues such as drug abuse, the development of gangs, sex crimes, cybersecurity, community policing, juvenile delinquency, privatization of corrections, and community/police relations.
Prerequisite: JUS 432
JUS 425 – Cybersecurity: 3 credits
A technological survey of computer-based crimes and how common criminals and terrorists use today’s technology to cause widespread victimization via information systems. An overview of investigative and legal issues are considered as it pertains to legalities under the First and Fourth Amendment, US Patriot Act, and other legislative authorities.
Prerequisite: JUS 245
JUS 432 – Corrections and Penology: 3 credits
This course begins with a historical overview of the penal system development, leading to the implementation of modern institutions, incarceration practices, and correctional ideologies. The student will also become familiar with sentencing, constitutional issues of incarceration, parole, probation, and alternatives to imprisonment.
Prerequisites: JUS 311 and JUS 313
JUS 435 – Constitutional Rights and Limits: 3 credits
Examines body of constitutional law associated with the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Eighth Amendments and evaluates the protection of criminal defendants’ rights in the United States today. Discusses case law surrounding the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.
JUS 442 – Victimology and Restorative Justice: 3 credits
Focuses on the process of victimization and how violent crime devastates its victims, victim-offender relationships and victim-police interactions. Studies cooperative measures whereby victims, offenders and communities are restored through victim/offender mediation, conferencing, victim assistance, ex-offender assistance, community service and restitution. Examines how relationships between victims, offenders, communities and the government’s response to crime affects the crime rate.
Prerequisite: JUS 432
JUS 446 – Police Leadership: 3 credits
Presents an in depth review of the police organization’s function, types of leadership, policies in police organizations, facing challenges, and organizational problems confronting police agencies. Students study the decision making process within law enforcement and how the decision process impacts crime.
Prerequisites: JUS 311
JUS 450 – Homeland Security: 3 credits
The course examines the USA PATRIOT Act and will examine why the government and the public began to question and scrutinize the country’s intelligence mechanisms, and national security structure and procedures. During this course there will be an opportunity to examine the creation, development, and organizational structure of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As part of the examination of DHS, there will be opportunities to also examine entities such as the Transportation Safety Administration, which was established after 9/11. This course will also examine other developments due to the attacks on 9/11 such as the detention and torture of “enemy combatants” in Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and consider whether the nation’s security needs justify the consequent restrictions on our freedoms.
Prerequisite: JUS 125 and JUS 245
JUS 491, 492 or 493 – Topics in Criminal Justice: 1-3 credits
Special topics of varied interest are offered as needed and as resources permit.