Sociology and Criminal Justice CJ/SOC 340 Gender and Crime Gender and Crime focuses on explanations of the criminality of women, men, and transgendered people in the U.S. and the prison cultures associated with different genders. The course examines how dominant cultural norms and values reflect differential power relations between individuals in U.S. society and how these power inequalities act as root causes of crime. It explores how crime is used by individuals to appeal to, reject, or change societal norms and relationships as well as how social control of such individuals is used to shore up support for existing societal norms and relationships. Prerequisite: CJ 200 or SOC 211 or equivalent.
CJ 480 Selected Topics in Criminal Justice Topics vary depending on student and faculty interest. Some of these include police racial profiling, capital punishment, the courts, domestic violence, probation and parole and serial murderers. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: two courses in criminal justice or consent of instructor. CJ 490 Independent Field Work .50 or 1.00 credits Independent guided field work in criminal justice. Field work involves work in an agency, organization or community setting using criminal justice theory to analyze and solve problems. A minimum of 140 hours on site is required during the term for 1.00 credit. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisites: two courses in criminal justice and consent of instructor. Upon request.
CJ/SOC 408 Criminology An examination of early and modern theories of criminality from the 18th century to the present. Emphasis on sociological explanations, including social disorganization, subcultural theories, strain and self-control. Associations among theory, research and policy will be highlighted. Prerequisites: CJ 200 or SOC 211 or equivalent and junior or senior standing.
CJ 491 Independent Research .50 or 1.00 credits A course in independent, guided research. Practical experience is acquired in the stages of designing and conducting a research project in criminal justice. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisites: CJ/SOC 323 and consent of instructor. Upon request.
CJ 409 Criminal Law An examination of the development and operation of United States criminal law, including legal terminology, crime definitions and criminal defenses. Criminal responsibility and the capacity to commit a crime will be covered. Specific areas of interest include jurisdiction, double jeopardy, entrapment, insanity and mens rea. Prerequisites: two courses in criminal justice or consent of instructor.
CJ 492/292 Independent Study .50 or 1.00 credits An independent and concentrated reading course focusing on a specific problem area, field of specialization or thought of a major thinker in criminal justice. Repeatable for credit. Prerequisites: two courses in criminal justice and consent of instructor. Upon request.
CJ 410 Criminal Procedure A focus on the protections afforded by the 4th, 5th, 6th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution. Specific topics include the exclusionary rule, Miranda warnings, warrantless searches and probable cause. Students will be required to read U.S. Supreme Court decisions pertaining to law enforcement activities and individual rights. Prerequisites: two courses in criminal justice or consent of the instructor.
CJ 495 Honors Independent Research .50 credit This course gives Honors Program students the opportunity to design and implement a significant research project in the field of criminal justice culminating in an appropriate public dissemination of research methods and findings. This research must build upon previous coursework taken within the major or minor, 304