Criminal Justice - CRJS

1003 - Introduction to Criminal Justice - 3 credit hours
Surveys the American justice system, including legal and constitutional dimensions, the juvenile justice system, probation and parole, and elements of law enforcement.  Note: It is highly recommended that students  first complete or test out of the reading sequence before taking this course.  It is also recommended that students complete ENGL 1013 before taking this course.

2103 - Criminology - 3 credit hours
Focuses on theoretical and pragmatic factors involved in illegal behavior. Note: Students must first complete or test out of the reading sequence before taking this course and complete ENGL 1013 and 1023 before taking this course.

2203 - U.S. Constitutional Law - 3 credit hours
The study of the development of foundational constitutional principles, the U.S. Constitution and amendments, the workings of the U.S. Supreme Court, and the landmark decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. Prerequisites: CRJS 1003 or POSC 1003.

2213 - Juvenile Offender - 3 credit hours
A psycho/social examination of deviant and criminal behavior among juvenile populations in the United States, focusing on prevention, treatment, and other elements of the juvenile justice system.

3003 - American Legal Systems - 3 credit hours
Examines the American system of alternative and judicial dispute resolution, focusing on court structures, jurisdictions, and steps in the civil and criminal processes.

3023 - Police Investigation - 3 credit hours
Focuses on how the crime scene should be investigated, searched, and processed for        evidence, and includes an emphasis on the legal admissibility of these procedures. Students will discuss the forensic value of physical evidence and the role of forensic science and criminalistics in evaluating this evidence and presenting it in court.  Prerequisites: CRJS 1003, CRJS 2213, and CRJS 3003.

3113 - The Legal Profession - 3 credit hours
An examination of the legal profession in the United States including prelaw and legal education, methods of practice, and current issues facing the legal profession. Prerequisites: Sophomore or higher class standing.

3123 - Police & Society - 3 credit hours
A study of law enforcement in the United States as it relates to society. Topics include: changing mores, the nature and evolution of the family and other social institutions, ethnic and racial elements, and social stratification. Prerequisite: CRJS 1003.

3203 - Corrections - 3 credit hours
Study of the American penal system with attention to objectives, administration, historical evolution, and comparative status among developed countries. Prerequisites: CRJS 1003, CRJS 2213 and CRJS 3003.

3303 - Criminal Courts - 3 credit hours
Examines personnel, administration, legal issues, and delivery of legal services in the American criminal court system in the context of local, state, and federal systems. Prerequisites: CRJS 1003 and CRJS 3003.

3403 - Probation & Parole - 3 credit hours
Administration and management of county, state, and federal community-based correction systems, including developing innovative systems of accounting and tracking those committed to the correctional system.  Prerequisites: CRJS 1003, CRJS 2103 and CRJS 3203.

3573 - Rural Crime - 3 credit hours
Examines critical issues related to criminal offending, criminal victimization and the administration of criminal justice in rural communities. Specific attention will be devoted to examining the social context of domestic violence, youth violence, substance abuse, drug trafficking, policing and crime prevention in rural communities.

3613 - Statistics in Criminal Justice - 3 credit hours
Analytical and statistical concepts and procedures relevant to crime and criminal justice, including quantitative and qualitative techniques. Prerequisites: General education math requirement and CRJS 1003.

3623 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice - 3 credit hours
Overview of the research process with emphasis on research design, data collection, and analysis and interpretation of data and statistics. Use of both quantitative and qualitative research methods appropriate to the study of criminal justice. Prerequisites: General education math requirement, CRJS 1003 and CRJS 3613.

3703 - Criminal Law - 3 credit hours
Attention will be given to the history and development of the substantive law, including common law, statutory law, and administrative regulations at the federal, state, and local levels. Prerequisites: CRJS 1003, CRJS 2203 and CRJS 3003.

3903 - Criminal Procedure - 3 credit hours
Focus upon the procedural law at the federal, state, and local levels, including a comprehensive look at the meaning of the legal concept of "due process." Prerequisites: CRJS 1003, CRJS 2203 and CRJS 3003.

4173 - Homeland Security - 3 credit hours
Focuses on the entities and institutions necessary for the protection of the United States. Course instructional material will examine the components of Federal, State and Local Police Agencies, as well as the role of Private Security and Emergency Responders needed to facilitate the implementation of the Homeland Security Act.

4273 - Evidence - 3 credit hours
Examines forms of evidence, preservation of evidence, chain of custody, witnesses, proof, privileges, hearsay, and circumstantial evidence. Solid preparation for law enforcement candidates and a plus for the student focused on the law or the courts aspect of criminal justice today. Prerequisites:  CRJS 1003, CRJS 2213, CRJS 3003, and CRJS 3703.

4303 - Ethics and Professionalism - 3 credit hours
Examines ethical codes related to specific career fields in criminal justice as well as general ethical issues related to the overall discipline. Focuses on current legal, political, and social issues related to the criminal justice area. Prerequisites: Senior-level standing in CRJS major program and at LWC.

4803 - Special Topics - 3 credit hours
Studies within a specific area of criminal justice are offered on an irregular basis in order to address a field of interest, current issues, or cases in criminal justice that are not addressed in depth in the normally offered courses. Examples of special topics: legal profession, criminal justice and mental health issues, forensics, current issues, and cases. Prerequisites: CRJS 1003 and instructor's permission.

PN03 - Professional Internship - 3 credit hours
Required work experience in an occupational area related to student's interest or focus. Students must have 120 clock hours worked and write a scholarly paper related to the work experience. Prerequisite: Senior-level standing in CRJS major program and at LWC. Grading: Credit/No Credit.