Criminal Justice Courses
- CJS 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CJS 105 Criminal Law
- CJS 106 Criminal Procedure
- CJS 110 Police Administration
- CJS 115 Law of Evidence
- CJS 120 CJS*125
- CJS 200 Criminal Investigation
- CJS 201 Introduction to Criminal Forensics
- CJS 205 Ethics & Amer Crim Justice Sys
- CJS 220 Criminology
- CJS 235 Introduction to Juvenile Justice System
- CJS 240 The Correctional Process
- CJS 250 Terrorism & Counter-Terrorism
- CJS 255 Organized Crime
- CJS 260 Special Studies in Crim Just.
- CJS 265 Public Safety Technology
- CJS 270 Police Dept. Organization & Management
- CJS 275 Administering the Business of Security
- CJS 280 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
- CJS 299 Indep. Study in Criminal Just.
CJS 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice
Credits: 3.00The course introduces the student to the American system of criminal justice. Its growth and development will be examined with emphasis placed on the various subsystems of the criminal justice system (substantive and procedural criminal law; police, prosecution, defense, courts, institution- al and community corrections; and the juvenile justice system). Additionally, contemporary issues that challenge the functional efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system will be addressed. Students will learn the terminology of the field, have the opportunity to evaluate personal attitudes and values regarding crime and responses to crime.
CJS 105 Criminal Law
Credits: 3.00An introduction to the origin and function of the substantive criminal law of Pennsylvania; a survey and analysis of the elements of major offenses in common law and under modern penal codes, and the available defenses; a consideration and discussion of leading judicial interpretations of penal codes and criminal law.
CJS 106 Criminal Procedure
Credits: 3.00Criminal Procedure is a required 3 credit course within the CJS curriculum, and is the 'follow-on' course after CJS 105 Criminal Law. Criminal Procedure focuses heavily upon civil liberties issues that are framed within the context of the 4th, 5th, 6th and 8th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Accordingly, the course deals extensively with issues of search & seizure, probable cause, specificity, statements, interviews, confessions, witness testimony, admissibility of evidence, arrest, booking, arraignment, detention and arrest, right to counsel during the criminal process, bail, and other civil rights at trial, and other matters relating to the prosecutorial process. The course will deal with relevant constitutional case law, and with the practical aspects of criminal justice administration and process. Prerequisites: CJS 100 and CJS 105
CJS 110 Police Administration
Credits: 3.00A study of administrative principles and practices applying to the enforcement of law and public safety agencies; consideration of the establishment of policy and procedures, rules and regulations, deployment, coordination of activity, and the enactment of procedural and tactical planning.
CJS 115 Law of Evidence
Credits: 3.00A survey course in the rules of evidence in criminal proceedings.
CJS 120 CJS*125
Credits: Criminal Justice3.00 Criminal Justice Forensic Accounting Forensic Accounting is the application of accounting methods and financial techniques to assist in solving economic-based crimes. The course includes the discussion of criminal statues relating to financial crimes, fraud investigation and prevention, techniques used in solving financial crimes, interviewing, rules of evidence, sources of information, forensic accounting procedures, and current issues in financial investigations. This course is cross-listed with ACC 120. Prerequisite: ACC 111 150 Accounting Principles I with a minimum grade of C.
CJS 200 Criminal Investigation
Credits: 3.00The theory of investigation, conduct at crime scenes, the collection, handling and preservation of criminal evidence and other criminal investigation practices and procedures, discussion of scientific aids and their uses in investigation; preparation of cases, emphasizing methods and problems of information and interrogation.
CJS 201 Introduction to Criminal Forensics
Credits: 4.00(Criminalistics) This course will familiarize students with the basic principles and uses of forensic science in the context of the American criminal justice systems. Forensic science which is the study and application of science to legal processes will be related to the collection, examination, evaluation and interpretation of evidence. The field of forensics encompasses many areas in both the physical and social sciences. This course will focus on the application of modern science to physical evidence collection, preservation, and analysis, which, if properly utilized, can be crucial in the resolution of social and legal disputes. This course will review and illustrate through actual laboratory demonstration, basic applications and methodologies in the biological, physical, and behavioral sciences to questions of evidence and law. Prerequisites: Completion of a CHE or BIO lab course prior to CJS 201 is recommended, but not required.
CJS 205 Ethics & Amer Crim Justice Sys
Credits: 3.00"Ethics and The American Criminal Justice System" presents an introduction to the ethical issues arising in the law, to the methodology by which ethical deliberations are resolved, and to the personal-societal implications of ethical decision making. The course will focus upon the judicial system as an institution, the philosophy of the legal system-criminality, liability, and corrections, the role of law enforcement, and current legal issues.
CJS 220 Criminology
Credits: 3.00A study of crime and delinquency patterns, their causes, and remedial measures, emphasizing the social, economic, and psychological forces involved, including the role of treatment and enforcement.
CJS 235 Introduction to Juvenile Justice System
Credits: 3.00This course introduces the student to the origins and development of the juvenile justice system in the United States. Students will study the juvenile justice system and child welfare systems from historical, legal, and institutional perspectives. Students will become familiar with the substantive law of Pennsylvania in terms of delinquency and child abuse with some international comparisons. Problems and theories of delinquency, interdisciplinary communication and diversion of selected juvenile offenders from the formal justice system will be explored. Each component of the system: police, courts, probation and community corrections are analyzed and recommendations for improvement are considered. The community and the schools and their role in delinquency prevention will be covered. Lastly, there will be a study of the nature, magnitude, and social location of youth crime; analysis of causal theories, and an overview of programs aimed at delinquency prevention and control. Prerequisites: CJS 100 and CJS 105
CJS 240 The Correctional Process
Credits: 3.00The concept, rationale, and adminstration of the adult correctional institution will be the focal point in this introductory course dealing with the American correctional process. Probation and parole and the role each plays in the total penal system will also be examined. The course will conclude with a look at what appears to be future alternatives in dealing with the offender in society.
CJS 250 Terrorism & Counter-Terrorism
Credits: 3.00Terrorism in the 21st century is a global phenomenon. This course is designed to provide a comprehensive and interdisciplinary survey of the history, theory, and modern-day political manifestations of terrorism and counter-terrorism. Terrorism will be evaluated in terms of its underlying cultural, economic, political, and psychological root causes. Effective counteraction and profiling requires empathetic explorations and analyses by students into causes and mind-sets. Counter-terrorism strategies and attics will also be examined specifically in light of the legal and procedural safeguards that are fundamental to the maintenance of liberal democratic social and political values. Prerequisites: A passing grade in a least one introductory level course in any of the following: Criminal Justice Studies, History Political Science, or Sociology. This course is cross-listed with: POL 250 & SOC 250
CJS 255 Organized Crime
Credits: 3.00This course examines the problem of organized crime (OC) from an interdisciplinary perspective, including a series of key legal, law enforcement and social issues, with a focus on American OC and enterprise crime in comparative perspective. Topics will include: the concept and definition of OC; a range of theoretical perspectives on OC; the relationship between white collar, criminal organized crime, enterprise crime and non-criminal economic activity; historical origins; ethnic connections; international linkages; models of organized crime; major organized crime groups; major organized criminal activities; emerging organized criminal activities; the relationship of OC to public corruption; strategies for combating organized crime; and the future outlook. Prerequisites: CJS 100 or SOC 101, or permission of the division dean. This course is cross-listed with SOC 255
CJS 260 Special Studies in Crim Just.
Credits: 3.00This course will explore topics and areas within the criminal justice field. Subject matter will vary from each semester and reflect an in depth study of the particular issues being examined. A seminar approach will be employed in this course.
CJS 265 Public Safety Technology
Credits: 3.00This course will focus on current themes in public safety technology, to include such topics as Computer Aided Dispatch, basic ideas of mobile radio technology, mobile data/mobile computer capabilities and functionality, public safety applications for Global Positioning technology, as well as emerging trends that will appear in the Public Safety arena in the next 3 to 5 years. An overview of standards governing communications systems, dispatchers, and other areas of public safety technology will also be covered. Topics will be covered at a non-technical level to provide the student with an overview and understanding of the technology rather than an in-depth examination of just a few specific items. Lectures will include live demonstrations of devices to reinforce key concepts and promote greater understanding. Students will prepare a summary paper in small groups on an emerging idea in public safety technology, based upon original research. Prerequisites: FSC 100 or EMP 100 or CJS 100, or permission of the instructor or director. (This course is cross-listed with FSC 265 and EMP 265)
CJS 270 Police Dept. Organization & Management
Credits: 3.00An introduction to concepts of organization and management as they relate to law enforcement. Topics include principles of structure, process, policy and procedure, communication and authority, division of work and organizational controls, the human element in the organization, and informal interaction in the context of bureaucracy. The course will deal with the history of policing in relation to organizational theory and practical innovation. It will explore the responsibilities of the police manager from the standpoint of the design and regulation of internal systems and procedures, the management of human resources, the management of capital plant and equipment, the budgetary and planning processes, functioning as part of a larger municipal bureaucracy, and inter-agency cooperation and coordination. Prerequisites: CJS 100
CJS 275 Administering the Business of Security
Credits: 3.00This course offers students an understanding of the role of management within a security organization. It describes techniques and offers practical methods that will help students achieve effective security department management. During the course, students will examine the following issues and topics: individual roles of security management personnel; policies and procedures; current computer applications that can help all aspects of the security function; the importance of security statistics; and how to 147sell148 the importance of the security function to senior management. Prerequisites: CJS 100 or permission of instructor or director
CJS 280 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
Credits: 3.00The course examines the evolution and operation of criminal justice systems in other nations and cultures. The course will focus on the development of criminal justice in response to social, historical and political factors. Beginning with a brief history of the world's legal systems, followed by an analysis of their key procedural and substantive similarities and differences, the course will then turn to a range of other associated topics including the administration and function of police, corrections and courts, the impact of customary law and immigration on heterogeneous cultures, and the increasing internationalization of both the incidence of crime and the administration of criminal justice. Prerequisites: CJS 100 or POL 101, or permission of the division dean. This course is cross listed POL 280.
CJS 299 Indep. Study in Criminal Just.
Credits: 3.00An individual, guided research project on a specific problem or area within the American criminal justice system. Working under the direction of the instructor, the student will be expected to research and submit an original, formal paper that is highly detailed and supportive of the student's solution to the problem or area he has selected. May be taken only with the expressed permission of the program's Director.
