100 Introduction to Criminal Justice
(3 s.h.) This course provides a general overview of the social creation of crime and of social responses to crime. Students analyze the social circumstances that produce crime in diverse societies and cultures. They also study a variety of legal and law enforcement systems that define and control crime. This course focuses on the perspectives of all those involved in the production of crime and on the critical analysis of those perspectives.
215 Criminal Investigations
(3 s.h.) This course covers the fundamentals of criminal investigation
including the gathering of investigative information from victims and witnesses, the search and recording of crime scenes, and the principles involved in collecting and preserving physical evidence. There is a strong emphasis on investigative policies, procedures, and practices that are necessary and essential to secure the truth within today’s legal climate.
387 Senior Internship
(6 s.h.) This course is one of two fulfilling the criminal justice senior requirement. The senior internship offers students a field experience in one of a wide range of Criminal Justice professions. Students keep a journal and work with their advisor in order to benefit as much as possible from this opportunity. Ideally, the internship provides data that can be analyzed and developed as part of the senior thesis.
401 Senior Seminar
(3 s.h.) This course is one of two fulfilling the criminal justice senior requirement. Students in the senior seminar will conduct research on a topic in criminal justice and write a thesis using criminal justice theory and analytical methodology in order to better understand the research. Ideally, the thesis analyzes and develops data collected from the senior internship.
Note: Directed inquiries, teaching assistantships, and internships in criminal justice can be arranged on an individual basis.
