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2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog

PDF of Criminal Justice Courses

Criminal Justice Courses

All Criminal Justice Courses

CRJS 1120 Criminal Justice and Society (3 credits)

A general introduction to the philosophies, principles, and social aspects which underlie the formulation of law and administration of justice in the United States. Provides an overview of the institutions and relationships of those agencies composing the criminal justice system. Liberal Education Goal Area 9.
Common Course Outline

CRJS 2221 Comparative Justice (3 credits)

Introduction to a variety of international systems of justice. Students critically examine international legal traditions, study the criminal justice institutions that make up the systems of justice, and explore the cultural, social, and political contexts that contribute to the maintenance of the justice systems. Explores attempts to develop an international criminal justice system. Liberal Education Goal Area 8.
Common Course Outline

CRJS 2225 Criminal Justice and Juveniles (3 credits)

This course explores historical responses to delinquents, the definition of delinquency, theories of correction, and an examination of the juvenile justice system. The learning objective is to understand the principles, assumptions, and processes that pertain to juvenile delinquency and criminal justice system responses to delinquency. Prerequisites: CRJS 1120.
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CRJS 2925 People of the Environment: Criminal Justice Perspective (3 credits)

Offers students various perspectives on environment in relation to crime, criminality, and criminal justice. Liberal Education Goal Area 10.
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CRJS 3201 Research Methods and Statistics for Criminal Justice (3 credits)

An introduction to the framing and addressing of research questions within a criminal justice context. Students will be exposed to descriptive, explanatory, and exploratory research designs and the application of appropriate quantitative analytic techniques to those research designs. Prerequisites: CRJS 1120 or consent of instructor.
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CRJS 3304 Police Process (3 credits)

An introduction to the police component of the criminal justice system. Based on both classical readings and current issues in the police field, this course covers police history, the police role and functions in modern society, and the evolving nature of police work. Special emphasis given to the evolving nature in police work after the events of September 11th, 2001. Prerequisite: CRJS 1120 or consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline

CRJS 3305 Judicial Process (3 credits)

Examines the criminal justice and civil law judicial process. Covers judicial involvement from pre-arrest warrant issuance to appellate court review. Focuses on the role, function, and behavior of prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges. Prerequisites: CRJS 1120 or consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline

CRJS 3306 Corrections and Penology (3 credits)

Provides the student with an understanding of corrections as a major part of the criminal justice system. Focuses on principles, assumptions, and processes pertaining to achieving correctional goals and objectives. Emphasis on justifications, philosophy of punishment. Prerequisites: CRJS 1120 or consent of instructor.
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CRJS 3307 Victimological Theory and Practice (3 credits)

This course focuses on victimological theories and the philosophic study of victims and victimity. Short- and long-term impacts of victimization, as well as victim-centered practices and services, are explored. Additional topics may include advocative movements for the recognition and enhancement of victims' rights in the United States, including increased involvement and influence throughout the judicial processing of a criminal case. Prerequisites: (CRJS 1120 and Junior status) or consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline

CRJS 3310 Introduction to Emergency Management (3 credits)

This course explores the needs of public safety officials who have responsibility for emergency preparedness planning and response. Includes contexts for emergency planning -legal and jurisdictional; responsibility for planning and responding to emergencies; different types of emergencies, and an approach to planning that can be applied to emergency situations. Addresses specific issues associated with the planning process, including the role of the manager, the necessity for multi-agency involvement, various analytical techniques employed in planning, different levels of emergency planning, and different elements of the plan. This course examines the history and perspectives of emergency management, hazards, concepts and taxonomies, all-hazards approach, phases of emergency management, risk assessment, risk communication and emergency management functions. Prerequisite(s): CRJS 1120 or consent of instructor.
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CRJS 3315 Criminology and Delinquency (3 credits)

Significant theoretical traditions, subsequent research, and policy related to crime and delinquency. Students will be exposed to the following crime data sources: official statistics, victimization reports, and self-reports. Prerequisites: CRJS 1120 and CRJS 3201, or consent of instructor.
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CRJS 3319 Topics In Criminal Justice (1-2 credits)

Designed to present special topics, problems or areas of current interest to the field of Criminal Justice.
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CRJS 3344 Criminal Justice and Domestic Violence (3 credits)

The historical roots of domestic and sexual violence, and the continuing prevalence and magnitude of the problem. This course focuses on coordinated community efforts in the United States to keep families and others safe from relationship violence; thoroughly examines methods used by the criminal justice system to prevent and treat domestic violence; emphasizes the changing response of police, social agencies, the courts, and our lawmakers to domestic violence cases; and investigates ways in which the legal system treats victims of abuse who fight back and sometimes kill abusers.
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CRJS 3355 Drugs and Criminal Justice (3 credits)

Focuses on the historical and contemporary patterns of psychoactive drug use in the United States and on the development and evaluation of criminal justice policies intended to reduce or eliminate drug use and/or drug problems. Topics include major types of psychoactive drugs, the War on Drugs, the international context of drug production and distribution, and personal and social problems resulting from drug use.
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CRJS 3356 Introduction to Homeland Security (3 credits)

Addresses the role of state and local law enforcement in national defense. Also addresses critical issues such as civil liberties, privacy rights, police organization and structure, as well as the relationship between federal and local law enforcement. Introduces students to emergency management and the critical importance of managing risk. Prerequisite: CRJS 1120.
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CRJS 3358 Criminal Law (3 credits)

This course encompasses the basic concepts of the criminal law and the elements of criminal offenses in Minnesota in particular. Crimes against persons, crimes against property, crimes against the administration of justice and others are reviewed. The case method is used to define the contours of judicial interpretation of the criminal law. Prerequisites: CRJS 1120 or consent of instructor.
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CRJS 3359 Criminal Investigation (3 credits)

The concepts and principles related to criminal investigation. This course addresses those techniques and methods of evidentiary collection, processing, and testimony commonly employed by police investigators and crime scene technicians conducting a lawful inquiry, from arrival at a crime scene to laboratory analysis to closing the investigation by making an arrest. Also includes a section devoted to police report writing as well as a laboratory section where various evidence collection and crime scene processing techniques are conducted. Prerequisite: CRJS 3358 or consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline

CRJS 3360 Criminal Procedure and Evidence (3 credits)

This course focuses on the rights of the criminally accused, primarily those involved in the pre- trial stages of the criminal process. The Bill of Rights as it pertains to the criminally accused will be examined. The rules of evidence defining the types and use of criminal evidence allowed in court will also be addressed in this course. Prerequisites: CRJS 1120 or consent of instructor.
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CRJS 3377 Forensic Victimology (3 credits)

This course focuses on the forensic and scientific study of victims, emphasizing the response of police, medical professionals, and social agencies during the investigative and judicial processes. Accentuates methods used to collect, preserve, and analyze evidence relative to victims and victimizations. Examines controversial yet critical considerations in an objective investigative process, such as victim precipitation, victim characteristics and profiles, lifestyle and situational exposures, false allegations, and false confessions. Prerequisites: (CRJS 1120 and Junior status) or consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline

CRJS 3380 Community Corrections (3 credits)

An in-depth examination of community corrections programs including: program planning, implementation and evaluation, client's rights, intake, contracting, release, use of community resources, and use of various treatment modalities. Prerequisite: CRJS 1120 and CRJS 3306 or consent of instructor.
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CRJS 4103 Criminal Justice Diversity and Ethics (3 credits)

A course in applied human relations and ethics that examines the dynamics of class, race, gender and ethics as they intersect with the social realities of crime and justice in the U.S. today. How diverse populations and ethics operate both separately and in combination to influence the criminal justice system. The facts and theoretical foundations are presented so that students can formulate their own informed decisions about discrimination and ethics in the criminal justice system. Students will identify, apply, analyze and validate the core ethical principles and the potential consequences related to ethical decision- making. This course includes Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) learning objectives. Prerequisites: Junior status or consent of Instructor.
Common Course Outline

CRJS 4407 Global Perspectives in Victimology (3 credits)

This course examines the diverse and complex nature of victim-related concerns in global and/or comparative context. Explores the variable nature of the definition, involvement, treatment, and/or restoration of victims across governmental, social, and cultural confines. Describes theoretical developments and emerging practices in victimology from a global perspective. Probes ethnocentric perceptions and promotes critical thinking regarding victims' roles and needs within justice systems. Prerequisites: (CRJS 1120, CRJS 3307 and Junior status) or consent of instructor.
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CRJS 4477 Restorative Justice (3 credits)

This course explores core principles and implementation of restorative justice programs, including a review of benefits and potential challenges of such an approach. Examines how the approach encourages effective problem solving and conflict resolution, with the potential for reconciliation and healing of all stakeholders. It examines the unique roles, needs, and desired restorations of victims, offenders, and the community. Prerequisites: (CRJS 1120, CRJS 3307 and Junior status) or consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline

CRJS 4480 Police and Community Relations (3 credits)

Primarily intended for those entering the police profession, this course covers the rules that govern peace officer behavior under the Minnesota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board; addresses a number of Minnesota Board of Police Officer Standards and Training learning objectives, including victimization, ethical behavior, media relations, and response to and coping with stress; and examines police and community relations. Prerequisites: CRJS 1120 and CRJS 3304 or consent of instructor.
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CRJS 4487 Principles of Criminal Justice Supervision (3 credits)

Examines historical and current justifications and approaches to offender supervision. Correctional outcomes, rehabilitation methods, evidence based practices, and risk measurement are covered for both institutional and community correctional contexts. Basic motivational interviewing and various correctional counseling techniques are covered. Prerequisite: CRJS 1120 and CRJS 3306.
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CRJS 4917 DIS Tchg Assoc | (1-2 credits)

Directed Independent Study | Teaching Associate
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CRJS 4920 Directed Group Study (3 credits)

When taken as a requirement the following description may apply: Course entails advanced study in theories, philosophies, and practices in criminal justice. Requires extensive review of writings with emphasis on recent developments in the practice of criminal justice. Prerequisite: Senior status or consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline

CRJS 4970 Internship (12 credits)

When taken as a requirement the following description may apply: A full time supervised field instruction in a public or private criminal justice agency. The student is expected to demonstrate his/her acquired knowledge and skills to the criminal justice practice. Students should arrange for this class at least one quarter in advance of the quarter of enrollment. Graded Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory. Prerequisites: Completion of major required courses; major GPA of 2.25; overall GPA of 2.00 and consent of instructor.
Common Course Outline