Broad Range of Courses Preps You for the Field
CRIM 101: Crime and Justice Systems - 3cr
This course introduces the field of criminology through the examination of historical data, statistical information, theories of criminal causation, social control of behavior, development of laws, evaluation of criminal justice system policies, procedures, and trends. Students will learn the terminology of the field, gain an awareness of the methods of inquiry utilized in the field, and have the opportunity to examine personal attitudes and values regarding crime and responses to crime.
CRIM 102: Survey of Criminology - 3cr
The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of the discipline of criminology through an examination of its theories, basic assumptions, and definitions.
CRIM 205: Law Enforcement and the Community - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 102
Introduces students to the history, function, and role of law enforcement in American society. The multi-dimensional work of policing is emphasized with particular attention to strategies employed to combat and prevent crime through computer technology and advancements in non-lethal and lethal methods. Organizational and personal factors of policing, such as work-related stress and personnel selections, also are covered, as these are intimately connected to the structure and composition of the communities serviced. Practical and critical approaches to law enforcement are undertaken to explore prevailing and dissenting perspectives on the issues covered in the course.
CRIM 210: Criminal Law - 3cr
A study of history and sources of criminal law coupled with an analysis of the substantive elements of specific crimes.
CRIM 215: Survey of Courts and the Criminal Justice System - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 102
Examines the historical background, the traditions, and the legal principles that underlie the courts as an integral component of the American system of criminal justice. Both differences and similarities inherent within the state and federal court processes will be analyzed, and the procedures through which the criminal courts uphold the basic rights and liberties of all U.S. citizens, both victims and the accused, will be explored. The dynamics of the judiciary will be considered through examination of the critical foundations of the judicial process. A primary focus will be placed upon understanding the respective roles played by judges, prosecuting attorneys, defense counsel, police, and probation officers and other court-related personnel in the criminal court process.
CRIM 225: Survey of Corrections - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 102
Introduces students to correctional policy and practices in the United States, and emphasizes the role of corrections in the social control of human behavior. The course includes the history of corrections, classic and contemporary thought about the role of corrections in the criminal justice system, and a survey of correctional methods and alternatives with an emphasis on the use of incarceration.
CRIM 235: Survey of Juvenile Justice and Juvenile Law - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 102
Provides students with an understanding of the juvenile justice system and the various cases and legislative initiatives that have affected juvenile justice policy. In addition to examining the evolution of the juvenile justice system and the transformation of the juvenile court, students will gain an understanding of the current issues in juvenile justice in the United States. Attention also will be focused on juvenile justice policies and procedures in other countries.
CRIM 255: Law, Social Control, and Society - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 102
The evolution and development of the modern legal system. Topics include civil, criminal, and administration law, the legal profession, legal systems in American society, and the law as one of the many instruments of social control and social change.
CRIM 281: Special Topics - 1-3cr
Prerequisite: As appropriate to course content.
Special topics are offered on an experimental or temporary basis to explore topics that are not included in the established curriculum. A given topic may be offered under any special topic identity no more than three times. Special topics numbered 281 are offered primarily for lower level undergraduate students.
CRIM 300: Theory of Complex Criminal Justice Organization - 3cr
Prerequisite: CR102 or permission of the instructor
Study of evolution and theories of organizational alternatives and their application to the administration of justice.
CRIM 306: Criminological Research Methods - 3cr
Prerequisite: CR102 or permission of the instructor
An introduction to the basic criminological research methods designed to prepare the student to understand and participate in quantitative and qualitative research.
CRIM 321: Cybersecurity and Loss Prevention - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 or CRIM 102
Addresses the cybersecurity threat from a more comprehensive standpoint. Students will be challenged to recognize and understand security concerns from multiple perspectives, ranging from the insider threat to threats involving the actual physical components. Exposure to a design methodology, associated system components modules, and basic security principles is featured. Students will also be exposed to the private and public responses to computer security problems, including the insider threat, domestic and foreign terrorism, and the number of unique computer crimes and solutions to deal with these crimes. The importance of a sound security policy in the overall management of any organization will be addressed.
CRIM 323: Cybersecurity and the Law - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 or CRIM 102
Examines the scope of cybersecurity and its impact upon today's system of criminal justice. Topics to be studied include cybercrime and the Bill or Rights, computer-based economic crime, electronic commerce, ethical challenges, and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Included will be an analysis of the legal considerations facing law enforcement and cybersecurity professionals who deal with the problem of discovering, investigating, and prosecuting cybercrime.
CRIM 344: Terrorism - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 102
An investigation of the context, causes, correlates, consequences, and responses to the crime of terrorism from a variety of perspectives. Individual, group, and organizational factors that shape terrorism and responses to terrorism will be explored. Strategies for reducing the threat of terrorism and its consequences will be examined.
CRIM 354: White Collar Crime - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 102
Introduces students to various topics and issues relating to white-collar crime. Theories and measurements of white collar, corporate, organizational, occupational, workplace, and organized crimes will be presented and compared. Prevention, legal issues, and control strategies will be presented.
CRIM 374: Environmental Crime and Justice - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 102
Introduces students to the developing area of criminological solutions to environmental problems. Issues addressed include: the nature of environmental offenders and victims, the variety of approaches to achieving environmental justice, and criminal justice solutions to specific environmental problems.
CRIM 384: Violence and Victimology - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 102
Introduces students to the leading theories and research in the area of violent criminal behavior and victimization. Special emphasis will be placed on patterns of violent offending and victimization over time, victim-offender relationships, and the experience of victims in the criminal justice system. This course addresses major violent crimes including murder, rape, robbery, and assault.
CRIM 394: Crime and Delinquency Prevention - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 102
Examines various crime and delinquency prevention policies and programs. Topics covered will include the historical development of crime and delinquency prevention methods, theoretical applications to prevention efforts, and research findings on program effectiveness. The importance of research design in evaluating prevention programs also will be considered.
CRIM 391: Substance Use and Abuse in Criminal Justice - 3cr
Study of substance use and abuse confronting American society. Alcohol and drug use and abuse education, philosophy, physiological effects, and social aspects will be examined in terms of control measures and public safety.
CRIM 400: Theoretical Criminology - 3cr
A review and critical analysis of the major criminological theories beginning with the Classical School; psychological, sociological, economic, biological, and political theories of crime and its causes will be included.
CRIM 401: Contemporary Issues in Criminology - 3cr
Examination of the nature and extent of crime in modern Western society. Emphasis will be placed on issues selected from, but not limited to, emerging patterns of violence, organized crime, white-collar crime, victimless crime, corruption, and those crime control strategies deemed appropriate in a democracy.
CRIM 403: Dilemmas in Criminology and Criminal Justice - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 102
Overview of prominent ethical issues facing professionals in criminology and criminal justice, with an emphasis on encouraging individual students to explore their own ethical and moral systems and how they make ethical/moral decisions. The course is primarily discussion/seminar oriented.
CRIM 410: Race, Ethnicity, Social Structure, and Crime - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 102
Introduces the art of thinking critically about the social construction of race, ethnicity, and social class in crime and crime control, with special focus on the United States.
CRIM 450: Women and Crime - 3cr
Prerequisite: CRIM 101 and CRIM 102
A study of the nature and extent of women's crimes, theories of female criminality, processing of woman offenders through the criminal justice system, the response of police and court officials to women as victims of crime, and opportunities for women as employees in criminal justice agencies.
CRIM 470: Comparative Study of Justice - 3cr
Comparison of American systems of administration of justice with those of other nations.
CRIM 480: Seminar in Criminology - The Administration of Justice - 3cr
A study of selected topics in criminology - the administration of justice. May be taken more then once to a maximum of 6 semester hours. Not for credit after prior CR480: Seminar in the Administration of Justice.
CRIM 481: Special Topics in Criminology - 1-3cr
Information Assurance for Senior System Managers
Prerequisite: Department consent.
A seminar providing study of selected topics not emphasized in other courses. May be taken more than once to a maximum of six semester hours.
CRIM 482: Independent Study in Criminology - 1-3cr
Prerequisite: Prior approval through advisor, faculty member, department chairperson, dean, and provost's office.
Students with an interest in independent study of a topic not offered in the curriculum may propose a plan of study in conjunction with a faculty member. Approval is based on academic appropriateness and availability of resources
CRIM 493: Internship - 3-12cr
A structured field placement designed to broaden the student's educational experience through observation and participation in work assignments in government or private sectors. Six semester hours of credit can be applied to the major requirements.