Introduction to Statistics in Criminal Justice (3)

American Criminal Courts (3)

Examines the organization and operations of state and local criminal court systems from the perspective of social science research and public policy analysis. Major issues include: the role of courts in American society; bail and pre-trial procedures; the roles and decisions of prosecutors, judges and the defense bar; selection and operation of grand juries and trial juries; sentencing of criminal defendants; and others. The operations of juvenile and adult courts are compared, and efforts directed toward court reform are assessed. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior class standing.

Seminar in Criminal Justice (3)

Covers a variety of topics in the criminal justice system. Content varies with each offering.

Crime Deviation and Conformity (3)

Crime and criminal behavior is viewed as one of the many forms of deviation from political, moral and conduct norms of the majority culture. Studies the parallel genesis of crime and other parallel forms of deviance, and the relationship between some forms of deviance (such as mental illness and political extremism) and some forms of criminality. Studies the forces that produce conformity and indirectly promote deviation. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 200.

Crime and the Mass Media (3)

This course examines the interrelationships between crime, criminal justice, and the mass media. It explores the history of these linkages, the research, and the current issues. The possible impact of media images of crime and criminal justice on individuals, groups, and public policy is examined. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 200 or 201; junior or senior class standing or permission of instructor.

Drugs, Crime and Criminal Justice (3)

This course examines the extent of illicit drug use and drug dealing in the United States; the impact of illicit drugs on individuals, communities, and the criminal justice system; correlates of and influences on illicit drug use; and the connections between illicit drug use and other forms of criminal behavior. Efforts to reduce the supply of and demand for illicit drugs, including street-level law enforcement, military intervention, education, treatment, and drug testing are reviewed. Legal issues in drug policy, including the drug legalization debate, are considered. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 200 or 201 or permission of instructor or junior or senior class standing.

Ideology and Crime (3)

The nature of ideology; the relevance of a wide range of political theories to the exploration of crime; the comparative influence of various ideologies upon criminological research; the paradigmatic view of science in relation to research in criminal justice; the problem of objectivity; the problem of progress; the role of the criminologist as researcher and practitioner; an introduction to the ideology of law. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 200.

Women and Crime (3)

A review of theories about the relationships among sex, gender, crime, and criminal justice processing. Characteristics of female offenders and offending patterns are reviewed for their relevance to understanding motivational and behavioral patterns in female offenders. Crime causal theories (biological, sociological, psychological) are evaluated for their compatibility with female crime data. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 200 or 201.

The Community and Corrections (3)

Examines the relationship between the community and the correctional system, focusing on the relationships between prisons and the community as well as community-based alternatives to incarceration. The historical development of major correctional programs based in the community is examined, as is the current philosophy of community corrections. Questions about the effectiveness of community-based correctional alternatives are also considered. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 201 or 302.

Incarceration (4)

Meets General Education: WI

Provides an analysis of the historical development, organization and administration of correctional institutions. Social control processes within prisons are considered, as are policy dilemmas posed by "special category" inmates who require innovative and specialized intervention. Examines current topics such as overcrowding and its effects on institutional functioning, prison construction, disturbances and others. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 201 or RCrj 302.

Victims of Crime (3)

Examination of the multifaceted problem of crime victimization. Focuses on the incidence of criminal victimization, social characteristics of crime victims, the treatment of the victim in the criminal justice system, and efforts designed to alleviate the consequences of criminal victimization and provide support to victims. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 200.

Order and Disorder in Society (4)

Meets General Education: WI

An examination of problems of social control in different cultural settings and historical epochs. Students gain insight into the variety of solutions that have been devised for the problems of crime and disorder and thereby begin to understand the potentialities as well as the constraints in social ordering. Key questions addressed are: what kinds of disorder problems did a particular society face?, and what was the preferred solution adopted? Reading will be historical, literary and social scientific. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior class standing.

Current Issues in Delinquency (4)

Meets General Education: WI

This course examines a number of current issues in the field of juvenile delinquency research including causes of delinquency, the nature of delinquent careers and the effectiveness of efforts to prevent and treat delinquency. Emphasis is placed on analyzing recent developments in the area and, since it is a writing intensive course, presenting written critiques of the research. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 200 and 201.

Student Legal Services Internship Seminar (4)

Interns work in the Legal Service Office on campus under the supervision of a practicing attorney gaining valuable first-hand experience with the legal process. Interns must take RCrj 424 or 425 during the fall semester. During the spring semester participation in a weekly seminar covering various areas of substantive law is required in addition to office hours. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 424 or 425 and permission of instructor.

Introduction to Substantive Criminal Law (4)

The general principles of substantive criminal law studied through analysis of judicial opinions, text and, where appropriate, social science research. Principles such as mens rea, causation, harm, and actus reus are of recurring importance. They are considered both in the context of the definition of substantive criminal offenses, such as murder, assault and conspiracy, and with respect to such defenses as insanity, duress, self defense, mistake of fact or law and others. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior class standing.

Introduction to the Law of Criminal Procedure (4)

The study of judicial opinions provides the opportunity for students to become familiar with fundamental principles and rules of constitutional criminal procedure, and their application within specific factual settings. Where relevant, textual materials and social science research bearing on the legal issues are considered. Anticipated topics include: the functioning of the adversarial system of proof, including the respective obligations and duties of prosecuting attorneys and criminal defense lawyers; the fifth amendment and compulsory self-incrimination issues; the fourth amendment and the law of search and seizure; issues in capital punishment; and other, related matters. Prerequisite(s): junior or class standing.

Contemporary Legal Issues in Criminal Justice (3)

Select legal topics involving a variety of criminal justice issues are explored through consideration of judicial decisions and related readings. Illustrative issues to be examined include capital punishment, substantive due process (e.g., the criminalization of homosexual sodomy, abortion, physical- assisted suicide), the law of rape, drug-testing, mental health law, the rights of children, and the rights of prisoners. Specific topics considered may vary in light of contemporary legal developments. Prerequisite(s): junior or senior class standing.

Street-Level Bureaucracy (4)

Meets General Education: WI

Criminal justice agencies, welfare agencies, schools, and some other public agencies constitute a class of organizations known as street-level bureaucracies. This course examines the work performed by street-level bureaucrats, the structural properties that street-level bureaucracies have in common, and the administrative problems in which these properties result. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 201.

Special Topics in Criminal Justice (2-3)

This variable credit (2-3) course examines specialized topics in criminal justice. Topics may vary from semester to semester. May be repeated when subject matter differs. Differential credit is awarded according to requirements defined by instructor. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 200 or 201 and junior or senior class standing; or permission of instructor.

Special Topics in Criminal Justice (4)

Meets General Education: WI

Intensive examination of specialized topics in criminal justice. Topics may vary from semester to semester. May be repeated when subject matter differs. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 200 or 201 or permission of instructor or junior or senior class standing.

Special Topics in Criminal Justice (3)

Intensive examination of specialized topics in criminal justice. Topics may vary from semester to semester. May be repeated when subject matter differs. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 200 or 201 or permission of instructor or junior or senior class standing.

Independent Study in Criminal Justice (1-3)

Independent study or research on selected topics in criminal justice under the direction of a faculty member. The student is responsible for locating a faculty member who is willing to direct the independent study. May be repeated for credit but no more than 3 credits may be accumulated. Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor and undergraduate program director, and junior or senior class standing. S/U graded.

Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (3)

Covers a variety of topics in the criminal justice system. Content varies with each offering. May be repeated for up to 9 credits when topic differs. Prerequisite(s): RCrj 200 or 201 or permission of instructor. S/U graded.