Presents a history of criminal justice, with emphasis on English antecedents important to the administration of justice in the United States. Introduces the United States Constitution and Supreme Court decisions affecting individual rights and law enforcement practices. Includes career orientation through an analysis of criminal justice agencies.
Employs a variety of current events (e.g., news stories, policy changes, political debates, etc.) to expose students to the latest issues of controversy or change in the law enforcement professions. Orients students to multiple lenses through which to analyze emerging policies or technologies with implications for various aspects of law enforcement and community relationships, as well as the arenas in which arguments and decisions about each issue are made.
Presents an overview of serial killers in the United States and other countries. Introduces the background of serial killers as well as causes and failures in their lives that led up to the killings. Presents case studies of serial killers as well as the investigation, apprehension, trial, and sentencing of these offenders.
Presents an overview of various forms of extreme domestic, international, interpersonal, and political crime, such as serial murder, sex crime, terrorism, and crimes by state-sanctioned actors. Discusses sociological and psychological factors used to analyze, investigate, and prevent these extreme crimes. Introduces students to the psychological profiling processes used in criminal investigations. Students will use case studies to develop an understanding of research and evidence analysis, due process and legal rights, interdiction and apprehension, and trial and sentencing process in a wide variety of high impact criminal cases.
Explores the history and purpose of criminal law. Also examines elements of substantive criminal common law as modified by statute. Introduces legal research and a case study review of appellate court decisions relative to selected aspects of criminal law.
Examines police operational techniques and strategies, incident analysis, patrol deployment, traffic enforcement theory and practice, crime prevention and community relations, and the investigative process. Explores the police officer's role as a manager of community crime prevention resources. Includes analysis of recommended practices for maintaining a police officer's health and safety.
Introduces modern methods used in detection, investigation, and solution of crimes. Students will be taught basic investigative techniques utilized by law enforcement agencies. Analysis of actual cases will be used to demonstrate practical uses of these techniques.
Surveys the juvenile and adult correctional process from adjudication through probation or parole.
Examines the concepts and realities of race in the context of the criminal justice system. Places emphasis on exploration of the treatment of racial minorities as victims and offenders by law enforcement, courts, and corrections, and the nature and extent of this treatment throughout the judicial and punitive process. Investigates the causes and effects of these race-based inequities to prepare students for encountering and addressing them in future law enforcement careers.
Examines the United States Constitutional limitations on law enforcement, emphasizing arrest, use of force and search and seizure. Rules of evidence of particular importance to the law enforcement function including: the hearsay rule and exceptions; documentary, opinion, corpus delicti and circumstantial evidence; character and past crimes; evidentiary privileges; jurisdiction and venue; and witnesses.