Fall 2024 Criminal Justice B.S. Online Program courses

HUM 300 OL-1 Code: 35309   Live Meeting on Zoom Wednesdays, 4:30-5:55 pm

HUM 300 OL-2 Code: 35310  Live Meeting on Zoom, Wednesdays, 9:25-10:40 AM 

This course will look at the most controversial case ever decided by the US Supreme Court, Dred Scott v Sanford, the case which led the US into civil war (yes, there is a Supreme Court case even more controversial than the Dobbs decision!). We will springboard from the Dred Scott case into contemporary issues in the US relating to civil and human rights (other relevant US Supreme Court Cases will be considered in this context). The course will also examine how art has itself become a political battleground in the struggle to expand civil and human rights ever more broadly, especially in the wake of George Floyd's murder, and the BLM protests that followed in its wake. In particular, we will examine the controversy surrounding (especially) murals and statuary showing historical scenes depicting slavery, persons who owned slaves or otherwise supported the institution of slavery, and persons who simply held views that are today considered racist. What if anything is to be done with this artwork, and for what reasons?

HUM 300 OL-3  Course Code: 35311 Live Meeting on Zoom, Tuesdays, 5:55-7:10 pm 

HUM 300 OL-4  Course Code: 35312 Live Meeting on Zoom, Mondays, 4:30-5:45 pm

Stop, Question, Frisk & the Law: Terry v. Ohio in Cultural and Historical Perspectives

This course explores through historical and cultural perspectives the landmark Supreme Court case Terry V. Ohio, which confirmed that it is not unconstitutional for police to "stop and frisk" a person they reasonably suspect to be involved in a crime. The class will pay particular attention to the decision’s shifting consequences for America’s criminal justice system across six decades. The course will culminate in a close examination of the competing statistical claims made in recent challenges to the NYPD’s use of stop-question-frisk in New York City. Along the way, students will refine their legal research and workplace writing skills. This class prepares students, as future criminal justice professionals, to analyze and contextualize struggles for justice through legal studies and the humanities.

Course Code: 36141

Course Description: This research-based academic writing course prepares students to write effectively in their upper-level Criminal Justice courses. Focused on empirical writing, students will write about observations and patterns of behavior, investigating how arguments are made in the field of Criminal Justice. They will also learn to make original scientific inquiries, to structure empirical arguments, and to utilize a guided peer-reviewed writing process. This writing course also focuses on recognizing power structures and bias embedded in scholarly research and in the role of the researcher-writer’s position. Overall, the course will prepare students to produce logically organized, complex research-based writing projects within the field of Criminal Justice.

CJBS 250 OL-96  Course Code: 35769

CJBS 250 OL-97 Course Code: 35770

CJBS 250 OL-98 Course Code: 35771

CJBS 250 OL-99 Course Code: 35778

This course will present the research process, types of studies, appropriate descriptive statistical techniques and guidelines for formulating research questions and testable hypotheses. It will also review how to decide on an appropriate population for study, how variables are constructed, and how data are collected and organized, and discuss sampling methods and sample size. A variety of research methods will be covered, including experimental, quasi-experimental and survey methods, as well as other forms of data collection and the use of existing databases. Students will also be exposed to qualitative methodologies including ethnography, observation, content-analysis, and interviewing techniques.

CJBS 300 OL-98 Course Code: 36363

CJBS 300 OL-99 Course Code: 36362

This course builds upon knowledge acquired in previous courses and connects theoretical approaches with practical applications. Students will study a broad array of assessments and evaluations of the policies and programs that have evolved in the field of criminal justice. Students will review and analyze experiments such as D.A.R.E., Minneapolis Domestic Violence and Kansas City Preventive Patrol in the light of relevant criminal justice theories. The ultimate goal of the course is to provide students with essential skills for critically evaluating and assessing programs, based on findings from empirical studies and the scholarly literature.

Prerequisite: CJBS 250

CJBS 415 OL-98  Course Code: 36359

CJBS 415 OL-99  Course Code: 36358

This capstone seminar is required of all Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice majors. It affords students the opportunity to reexamine and integrate the practical and theoretical knowledge and critical thinking skills acquired over the course of their studies within the major into a meaningful culminating experience. Students will participate in debates central to the understanding of the American criminal justice system. Focusing on reexamination of some prominent criminal justice texts, the course will require students to critically examine in depth an original work relative to its social and political context and to the theoretical and empirical literature. Students will also apply and advance theoretical arguments in oral and written form through an in-depth examination of a current or controversial issue of their choosing such as: the use of force by police, plea bargaining, or mass incarceration.

Prerequisite: CJBS 300

ANT/SOC 110-OL 99  Registration Code: 36170

This class explores the controversies surrounding the causes and consequences of substance abuse as well as treatment modalities and prevention strategies. The course examines the methods used by social scientists to estimate the numbers of people who defy the law by using controlled substances; whether drug use is growing or diminishing; the impact of drug-taking on individuals and groups; and the effects of drug use on health problems and crime rates. A wide variety of works, including ethnographic, sociological and clinical studies, first-hand accounts by drug users, anti-drug polemics, reports from criminal justice sources engaged in the War on Drugs and media accounts will encourage critical thinking about this entrenched individual and social problem.

This course is an elective or can count toward a minor in Anthropology. It satisfies the Individual and Society flexible core category in the General Education requirements. 

COR/PSC 230-OL 99 Registration Code: 36199

The aim of this course is to develop an understanding of the causes of sexual crimes and the treatment of sex offenders throughout the criminal justice process. There is an analysis of the laws that relate to sex offenders and the cyclical nature of sex offender legislation. The course examines the difficulty of balancing rights of the offenders and rights of the community, as well as what forms of community protection are viable for these individuals. By the end of the course, students should have an understanding of sex offender typologies, types of treatment offered, laws and policies regarding sex crimes, and the likely future direction of legislation.

COR/PSC 230 can satisfy a 200 level Category C requirement in the CJBS major, or a course in the Police Studies minor. 

COR 320 OL-99 Registration Code: 34942

Examination of the role of race, class and gender within the institutional correctional community. Analysis of the impact upon clients, staff and administration through examination of current correctional institutions and case studies by selected corrections experts.

COR 320 can satisfy the Diversity or Category C (Corrections) 300 level requirement in the CJBS major.

LAW 202-OL 99 Registration Code: 36158

A comprehensive analysis of the rules of evidence. Particular subjects include judicial notice, presumptions, the nature of real and circumstantial evidence, burden of proof, province of court and jury, documentary evidence, hearsay evidence, confessions, admissions, witnesses and constitutionally protected evidence. Emphasis on evidence in criminal cases.

LAW 202 can satisfy a requirement for the Law minor or Category B, Law and Courts, in the CJBS major. 

LAW 206 OL-99 Registration Code: 36157

A study of the nature of the judicial process: precedent and legal reasoning; decision making; the basis of criminal and civil lawsuits; the role of the lawyer, the judge and the public; the organization of state and federal courts; the Supreme Court; democracy and judicial review.

LAW 206 can satisfy a law minor requirement or Category B, Law and Courts in the CJBS major.

LAW 301 OL-99 Registration Code: 35116

This course considers the study of the theory and philosophy of law and the relationship between law and society. Issues to which special attention will be paid include the problem of disobedience, the nature of the judicial process, and the relations between law and personal morality. Current controversies about civil disobedience, the role of courts, non-victim crimes and the relationship of the police to the rule of law will be explored.

Prerequisite: LAW 203 Constitutional Law, or equivalent

LAW 301 can satisfy a law minor requirement or Category B, Law and Courts in the CJBS major.

LAW 313 OL-99 Registration Code: 35210

Analysis of the politics of race and racism in the United States through the examination of major court decisions and of legislations affecting minority groups. Treatment of racial minority groups in the criminal and civil justice systems, and by courts, police and prisons will be included.

Prerequisite: POL 101 American Government or equivalent course

LAW 313 can satisfy a law minor requirement or a Category B, Law and Courts requirement in the CJBS major. 

PED 180 OL-99 Registration Code: 36178

This course will explain the sources and consequences of stress. Key theories and terminology will be discussed and evaluated. A variety of instruments that measure stress levels among individuals will be demonstrated. Coping techniques enabling students to adjust to the demands of stress will be described and practiced.

PED 180 is an elective.

PSC 202 OL-99 Registration Code: 36577

This course will explore the pervasive influence of culture, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and various disabilities on daily encounters, contacts and interaction between police officers and civilian employees of police organizations, and other community members.  The emphasized focus is on the cross - cultural contact, ethno- cultural diversity, the need for awareness and understanding of cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, gender, and an array of disabilities and other differences. The need to understand these differences is rooted in the concept of procedural justice and respect for those of different backgrounds that influences the decision making processes regarding deployment and other operational considerations.       

Prerequisite: 100 level course in Criminal Justice or related fields

PSC 202 satisfies a Diversity requirement for the CJBS major or a minor requirement for Police Studies.

PSC 235 OL-99 Registration Code: 35013

An analysis of the social and political forces that guided the evolution of women's role in policing from ancillary specialist to integrated member of the police establishment. Role enhancement from "Police Matron" to "Policewoman" to "Police Officer" is studied against the backdrop of women's reform movements. Title VII Equal Opportunity Act of 1972 and Supreme Court rulings abolishing barriers to women in policing are examined. Study of women police in other countries in state and federal agencies. Topics include female officers' occupational role conflicts; performance on patrol; coping with physical and psychological stressors - male peer prejudice jealous mates favoritism sexual harassment; women's special attributes in policing; female detectives; the future including the role of women in key policy-making decisions.

PSC 235 can satisfy a Diversity requirement for the CJBS major or a minor requirement for Police Studies.

PSC 306 OL-99 Registration Code: 35147

The philosophy and methods of police programs for prevention and control of juvenile delinquency and youth crime. Emphasis on specific techniques and a consideration of the issues and problems to be resolved by police.

Prerequisite: ENG 101 and 100 level course in Criminal Justice or related fields.

PSC 306 satisfies a Category A, Police requirement for the CJBS major or a minor requirement for Police Studies.

PSC 321 OL-99 Registration Code: 34455

An identification and analysis of the diverse ethical issues encountered in the police service. Traditional ethical theories will be examined and will be applied to such topics as discretion, deadly physical force, misconduct, authority and responsibility, affirmative action, civil disobedience, undercover operations and privacy.

Prerequisite: ENG 101 and 100 level course in Criminal Justice or related fields.

PSC 321 satisfies a Category A, Police requirement for the CJBS major or a minor requirement for Police Studies.

PSC 324 OL-99 Registration Code: 35494

This course offers a deep examination of police use of force and its implications for American police and the communities they serve from a current and historical context. Permissible limits of police use force are the subject of constant debate, interpretation and policy analysis. Topics include escalation, de-escalation and assessment period; problems arising between citizens and police resulting from use of force; social changes that impact police legitimacy; challenges and solutions for contemporary use of force; reasonableness; excessive force; proportionality and necessity.

Prerequisite: ENG 101 and 100 level course in Criminal Justice or related fields.

PSC 324 satisfies a Category A, Police requirement for the CJBS major or a minor requirement for Police Studies.

SOC/CRJ 236 OL-99 Registration Code: 36159

This course focuses on the victims rather than the offenders: why they have been "rediscovered" recently why they often do not report crimes to the police how some victims might share responsibility for the crimes with the offenders how they can be repaid for their losses through offender restitution and government compensation and what new services are available to help victims prevent crime and survive attacks.

Prerequisite: ENG 101 and 100 level course in Criminal Justice or related fields.

SOC 236 satisfies a requirement for the Criminology minor or can serve as an elective.

SSC 215 OL-99 Registration Code: 36141

This research-based academic writing course prepares students to write effectively in their upper-level Criminal Justice courses. Focused on empirical writing, students will write about observations and patterns of behavior, investigating how arguments are made in the field of Criminal Justice. They will also learn to make original scientific inquiries, to structure empirical arguments, and to utilize a guided peer-reviewed writing process. This writing course also focuses on recognizing power structures and bias embedded in scholarly research and in the role of the researcher-writer’s position. Overall, the course will prepare students to produce logically organized, complex research-based writing projects within the field of Criminal Justice.

SSC 215 satisfies the Communications category of the General Education College Option and can be an elective.