Department of Criminal Justice

CRJU 1100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 Credits)

This is a survey course of the essential components of the criminal justice system. These components include police, courts and corrections. The interrelationships between components are illustrated. Processes and procedures within each component are reviewed. This survey course is a prerequisite to subsequent upper division courses. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

CRJU 2200 - Intro to Law Enforcement (3 Credits)

This course is required for students majoring in criminal justice. This is a study of the philosophy and history of law enforcement at the federal, state, country and city levels. It is designed to expose students to the characteristics and operational missions of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Special emphasis will be placed on historical influences and conflicting roles with which the profession has struggled. Students become familiar with policing goals, contemporary police organizations and methods of operations, police culture and approaches to community police and problem oriented policing. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 2400 - Report Writing (3 Credits)

This course is designed as a departmental effort to improve the writing skills of criminal justice majors, including technical and agency requirements in properly formatting reports. Students will utilize library resources, compiling bibliographies and abstracting articles. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 2500 - Constitutional Proc in CRJU (3 Credits)

Practices and procedures of criminal justice personnel are regulated by Constitutional principles and safeguards. This course focuses on the nature of due process and equal protection requirements as they apply in criminal justice settings. Special attention is given to the major components of the criminal justice system. These components are police, prosecution, courts, corrections and the juvenile justice system.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 2600 - Juvenile Delinquency (3 Credits)

This is a survey course of the juvenile justice system. Attention is given to theories of juvenile delinquency, legal processes in responding to delinquency and the treatment approaches utilized in the juvenile justice system. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 2700 - Community Relations (3 Credits)

This course includes problems in citizens relations, treatment of victims, witnesses and jurors, citizen involvement in the Criminal Justice process and community resources related to Criminal Justice programming. Offered: As Needed.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 2800 - American Correctional Systems (3 Credits)

This is an interdisciplinary overview of the American Correctional System. Corrections refer to the sentencing, imprisonments and treatment of offenders coming to the attention of officials in criminal justice. Topics include the history of the American Prison System; research conducted on the inmate subculture, structure and of corrections, case law on prisoner rights litigation and community based corrections. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 2900 - Criminology (3 Credits)

Criminology is the study of the amount of crime in society theories of crime causation and the origins of criminal law. Elements of corpus delicate and the different methods of measuring crime are considered. The focus of the course is on the major schools of criminology: classical school, positive school and critical school. Empirical research studies within each school will be reviewed. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 2910 - Organization and Administration in Criminal Justice (3 Credits)

This course provided an analysis of the basic principles of administration and management as they apply to criminal justice agencies. Emphasis is placed on theories of bureaucracy, exercise of power planning and models of decision making. Principles of organization are applied to police, courts and corrections. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 3000 - Global Terrorism (3 Credits)

This course will focus on worldwide terrorism as an evolving phenomenon, from both historical and contemporary viewpoints. Students will derive their own definitions of what constitutes "terrorism" and terrorists" from a wide-ranging study of the groups and individuals associated with politicized action by force and violence. In doing so, the class will attempt to arrive at a consensus regarding the effects of terrorism and the responses to it, both by governments and by citizens at large. Terrorist methods, weapons, and tactics will be examined as they relate to overall strategies and goals, and current trends will be examined in detail. Finally, each student in which past and current terror events will be reviewed and analyzed, and a forecast will be prepared (and defended of what may be expected in the future. Offered: As Needed.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 3110 - Criminal Law (3 Credits)

Criminal law is a branch of law dealing with the punishment of individuals who commit crimes. Criminal law does not constitute a uniform body of rules across jurisdictions in the United States. This course is designed to provide students with an overview of criminal law from a variety of perspectives. The course will start with an introduction to both the U.S. legal system and the concept of criminal law. The course will also cover the elements of crimes, the defenses that the accused might raise, and the reasons for punishing convicted criminals. The course will equally address the crimes against the person, the crimes against property and habitation, and the crimes against the public. The course will consist of lectures and/or practically oriented seminars during which students will work on case resolution. There will be specialized guest speakers during the course who will expand on the various laws and practices of criminal law in the United States. Students are expected to attend every class (with notification to instructor beforehand for an excused absence) and required to come to class prepared to discuss the day’s readings. Attendance will be recorded on daily sign-in sheets. Two unexcused absences per semester are permitted; additional absences may affect the absentee’s grade. Cell phones should be placed on silent mode upon entering the classroom and be used only in a case of emergency. Social contacts via phone calls, text messages, social media and other electronic devises are prohibited during the class time. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Lecture hours: 3

CRJU 3120 - Criminal Procedure (3 Credits)

Criminal procedure is a branch of law dealing with rules governing the mechanisms under which crimes are investigated, prosecuted, adjudicated, and punished. This course is designed to provide students with an overview of the criminal justice process in the United States. The course will start with an introduction to both the U.S. legal system and the concept of criminal procedure. The course will address the constitutional guarantees recognized to all individuals during criminal procedure, the principles governing the searches and seizures, the due process principle, confession and admission, the pre-trial, the trial, the sentencing and post-trial. The course will consist of lectures and/or practically oriented seminars during which students will work on case resolution. There will be specialized guest speakers during the course who will expand on the various laws and practices of criminal proceedings in the United States. Students are expected to attend every class (with notification to instructor beforehand for an excused absence) and required to come to class prepared to discuss the day’s readings. Attendance will be recorded on daily sign-in sheets. Two unexcused absences per semester are permitted; additional absences may affect the absentee’s grade. Cell phones should be placed on silent mode upon entering the classroom and be used only in a case of emergency. Social contacts via phone calls, text messages, social media and other electronic devises are prohibited during the class time. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Lecture hours: 3

CRJU 3200 - Survey of Juvenile Justice System (3 Credits)

As Juvenile crime continues to soar, issues concerning the impact and adequacy of juvenile justice processing remains of extreme importance. Concerns regarding effectiveness, as we seek ways to stem the juvenile crime trends, while simultaneously balancing constitutional and other legal issues, confront our society. The public is overwhelmed with stories from the media, providing graphic evidence of a "crime wave" generated by youth who, according to media reports, prey upon a defenseless public. This image of deliquent youth has brought with it fear of crime among the public that is almost without precedent. Politicians have responded with calls for harsher treatment of youthful offenders and/or an end to "revolving door" justice. Others have decried these responses as dehumanizing. Our juvenile justice system has sought to address the 'portion' of this problem that involves the constitutional and fair processing of children and youth who violate the law. This course is designed to address these issues. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 3300 - Comp Inter legal System (3 Credits)

This course, although designed specifically for a Student Study Abroad Program, can also be offered in-residence at Albany State University, as well as in future student study abroad programs in various countries. The course seeks to enhance the student's knowledge of legal theories and practices in selected countries throughout the world. Comparisons of different countries and their systems for responding to various legal issues and dilemmas with an emphasis on various law enforcement structures and strategies, court systems, and correctional systems. Offered: As Needed.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 3410 - Criminal Justice Research (3 Credits)

This is a survey course on the methods/procedures of conducting social science research. Empirical methods utilized in sociology, psychology, economics, and journalism are reviewed, sampling techniques and various approaches to hypothesis testing are emphasized. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 3420 - Research Statistics (3 Credits)

This is a survey of descriptive and inferential statistics used in Criminal Justice research. Applications of parametric and nonparametric methods of hypothesis testing constitute the emphasis of the course. Measures of central tendency and dispersion are related to inferences to population parameters. Pearson’s Product Moment correlation, regression, analysis of variance and other tests of sample means are reviewed. Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 3530 - CRJU Ethics and Professionals (3 Credits)

No field of professional employment is more strewn with ethical considerations than the area of criminal justice. As students leave to join the work force they must be prepared to act professionally and ethically in any number intense situations. Further, students will be exposed to concepts and ethical points are critical to the success of their professional careers. Students will leave this with an increased awareness and concern for ethical issues in criminal justice, and a firm understanding of the importance of professionalism in their efforts for career advancement. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 4130 - Criminal Investigations (3 Credits)

This course includes analysis of the legal aspects of police activities including investigation, arrests, searches and seizures; study of Constitutional and statutory law and decisions of the United States Supreme Court and the Georgia Court of Criminal Appeals. Offered: As Needed.

Lecture hours: 3

CRJU 4210 - Philosophy of Law and Punishment (3 Credits)

This course exposes students to the various philosophies that laws and systems of punishment are based on today. The history of law in society is reviewed. Due process and Crime Control philosophies are compared and contrasted. Each philosophy is applied to the various stages of criminal justice processing: arrest, trail, appeals and corrections. Various works of key philosophers in the field will be presented and discussed.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 4340 - Corrections and the Legal Process (3 Credits)

This course provides a review of major federal court cases impacting correctional processes and procedures. Emphasis is given to Supreme Court decisions relating to prisoner rights under the first, fourth, fifth, eight and fourteenth amendments of the Constitution. Also, an analysis of the “hands on doctrine” as it relates to judicial intervention will be included. Offered: As Needed.

Lecture hours: 3

CRJU 4350 - Treatment, Testing and Evaluation in Corrections (3 Credits)

Treatment and the tests and measures used in its implementation are reviewed in this course. Details of the different approaches used in the correctional process along with a presentation of testing instruments utilized in the process are presented. Emphasis is placed on the theoretical basis for treatment programs in corrections, along with the importance of tests and measurements in program design and evaluation. Offered: As Needed.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 4360 - Community Based Corrections (3 Credits)

An in-depth analysis of the origins and philosophy of community based corrections is given. Diversion is discussed in an historical context. Various forms of community based corrections include probation, parole, house arrest, electronic monitoring and offender boot camp. The role and functions of halfway houses and community transitional centers are an important aspect of community based corrections. Schools of criminology and theories of punishment are related to various forms of community based corrections. Offered: As Needed.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 4510 - Organized and White Collar Crime (3 Credits)

Conceptual distinctions are drawn between organized and white collar crime. There is a review of the causes and consequences of both forms of crime in contemporary society. Theories of white collar and organized crime will be classified into the following categories: social psychological and structural (societal). Society’s responses to both forms of crime include federal statues, newspaper publicity, and debarment from occupational opportunities. Offered: As Needed.

Lecture hours: 3

CRJU 4520 - Drugs and Crime (3 Credits)

Chemical dependency is correlated to a number of societal problems including crime, poverty, and unemployment. This course estimates the prevalence of drug use, types and amounts of drugs on the market, relationship between drug use and crime and various explanations of this relationship. Stages of drug dependency are reviewed. Demand and supply side approaches to the war on drugs are compared and contrasted. Demand and supply side approaches include drug testing, drug treatment programs, and other prevention activities. Offered: As Needed.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 4530 - Comparative Criminal Justice (3 Credits)

This course provides a review of theories and practices of crime and criminal justice systems in other countries throughout the world. Comparisons of different nations and their systems for responding to crime and delinquency will be discussed. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 4610 - Internship (3-12 Credits)

This course provides junior or senior students with an opportunity to gain practical experience in a criminal justice agency setting. Successful completion of CRJU 4610 requires a final report and supervisory evaluation of the student by the agency. Agencies must be approved in advance by the faculty member coordinating internship activities. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Other hours: 3-12

CRJU 4620 - Special Topics (3 Credits)

This course will allow students to participate in specialized classes on a variety of topics. These topics will be presented by visiting scholars, faculty completing research in specialized areas, faculty returning from sabbaticals, and exchange from other faculty from other institutions and countries. Examples of the types of courses that will be offered in CRJU 4620 are as follows: International Crime, Crime and the African American Experience, German Criminal Justice System, Computers and Crime. This course is designed to allow students access to the most current and diverse subject matter available to the department on a continuing basis. Course syllabi will vary from course to course. Offered: As Needed.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 4630 - Race, Gender, Class, and the Criminal Justice System (3 Credits)

This course examines race and gender in the criminal justice system. Comparisons of system treatment of males and female majority race and non-majority races, specifically the African-American race will be examined. Specific issues include, but are not limited to the disproportionate representation African-Americans in American correctional system, the disparate treatment of females in the criminal justice system, racial profiling, jury composition and nullification, bail and sentencing options, the creation and enforcement of drug policy and immigration issues. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 4650 - The Court System in the United States (3 Credits)

This course is designed to familiarize students with the United States court system and our system of justice as implemented through the civil and criminal procedures. The course will examine and assess the interdependence of our judiciary, and the role that politics and public policy play. Federal and state court structures will be examined; including appellate, lower and juvenile courts, and students will familiarize themselves with the various judicial, legal, and political personnel who impact our courts. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3

CRJU 4999 - Senior Seminar (3 Credits)

Must be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Senior. This course is designed to expose students to the most advanced information available in field of Criminal Justice. Students will also be taught how to utilize this information during their coming professional careers. New technology in the field of Criminal Justice will be taught to students. Students will learn how to use this technology and become proficient in its utilization. Further students will be taught where information relating to Criminal Justice is located and how to access this information. Finally the ability to synthesize large amounts of information into a coherent report of a subject area will be instilled in students. Graduating seniors only. Offered: Fall, Spring.

Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Senior or Senior.

Lecture hours: 3

Other hours: 3