School of Criminal Justice and Criminology

CJ 1310. Introduction to Criminal Justice.

History and philosophy of criminal justice: ethical considerations, crime defined, overview of criminal justice system, law enforcement, court system, prosecution and defense, trial process, and corrections.

CJ 2310. Police Systems and Practices.

Police profession: organization of law enforcement systems, the police role, police discretion, ethics, police-community interaction, and current and future issues. Prerequisite: CJ 1310 with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 2350. The Courts and Criminal Procedure.

Judiciary in the criminal justice system: structure of American court system, prosecution, right to counsel, pre-trial release, grand juries, adjudication process, types and rules of evidence, and sentencing. Prerequisite: CJ 1310 with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 2355. Correctional Systems and Practices.

Corrections in the criminal justice system: organization of correctional systems, correctional role, institutional operations, alternatives to institutionalization, treatment and rehabilitation, and current and future issues. Prerequisite: CJ 1310 with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 2360. Fundamentals of Criminal Law.

A study of the nature of criminal law: philosophy and historical developments, major definitions and concepts, classification of crime, elements of crimes and penalties using Texas Statutes as illustrations, and justifications of and defenses to criminal responsibility.

CJ 3300. Juvenile Justice.

A study of the juvenile justice process to include both the specialized juvenile law and the role of the courts, police and corrections in juvenile justice. Prerequisite: CJ 1310 with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 3322. Race, Ethnicity and Criminal Justice.

This course examines the relationship between race/ethnicity and the criminal justice system. Theories of race/ethnicity and crime, the criminal justice system, and social systems including media, politics and economics are examined to form a comprehensive understanding of the social construction of race as it pertains to a racially disproportionate system. (MULT).

CJ 3323. Mid-Level Management in Criminal Justice Agencies.

Introduction and overview of the organizational theories of classical behavioral, and systems management concepts. Included in the course content are analyses of the functions of management in modern CJ organizations, internal and external environmental factors, individual & group dynamics, motivation, and leadership styles. Prerequisite: CJ 2310 or CJ 2355 either with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 3325. Incarceration in America.

This course focuses on the role of the institution in the process of incarceration including the philosophy of imprisonment, the inmate subculture and special problems and programs in institutions. Prerequisite: CJ 2355 with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 3329. Forensic Evidence.

Investigator’s role in collecting, preparing and presenting evidence in criminal trials. Special attention will be given to electronic evidence in addition to traditional physical evidence. Prerequisites: CJ 2350 and CJ 2360 both with grades of "D" or better.

CJ 3346. Research in Criminal Justice.

This course covers the analysis of criminal justice research, survey methods, and the utilization of research in criminal justice. (WI) Prerequisite: CJ 1310 and [CJ 3347 or PSY 2301 or SOCI 3307] all with grades of "D" or better.

CJ 3347. Statistics For Criminal Justice.

This course focuses on the theory and application of statistical inferential techniques and correlation and regression for behavioral science data and its applications in Criminal Justice. Emphasis is placed on the collection, analysis, and interpretation of statistical data in criminal justice settings. Prerequisites: CJ 1310 with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 4301. Internship I.

Field service training in public and private criminal justice agencies at the federal, state and local levels. The internship is designed to provide actual work experience, observation, and analysis in the student’s chosen career field. (WI) Prerequisite: CJ 2310 and CJ 2350 and CJ 2355 and CJ 2360 and CJ 3346 and minimum 2.25 Texas State GPA and minimum 2.5 Major GPA.

CJ 4302. Internship II.

Field service training in public and private criminal justice agencies at the federal, state and local levels. The internship is designed to provide actual work experience, observation, and analysis in the student’s chosen career field. (WI) Prerequisite: CJ 2310 and CJ 2350 and CJ 2355 and CJ 2360 and CJ 3346 and minimum 2.25 Texas State GPA and minimum 2.50 Major GPA.

CJ 4309K. Intelligence Analysis.

This course provides an overview of the importance of intelligence gathering in the global and domestic war on terrorism, and critically examines issues involved with the gathering of intelligence, techniques for the gathering of intelligence, methods of collecting, collating, analyzing and disseminating intelligence, and a review of current terrorist threats.

CJ 4309L. Gangs and the Criminal Justice System.

This course offers an introduction to street gangs and crime in the United States. Topics covered include the definition of gangs, gang members and gang activity, the history and development of gangs, the structure of gangs and gang members, the nature of gang activity, theoretical explanations of gangs, and the criminal justice system's response to gangs.

CJ 4309M. Active Shooter Response Experiential Learning.

This experiential learning course connects training to respond to active shooter events to relevant research. Students will complete the ALERRT Level I Active Shooter Response Course, and then examine the research literature that underlies the training with an emphasis on identifying discrepancies and gaps and areas for improvement. Prerequisite: CJ 1310 and CJ 2310 both with a grade of "D" or better and instructor approval. Corequisite: CJ 3346 with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 4309O. Use of Force Experiential Learning.

This course uses experiential learning to connect use of force training to research. Students examine the research literature, take part in use of force training, and participate in scenarios with an emphasis on connecting their experiences to the literature. The course is physically demanding and involves close personal contact. Prerequisite: CJ1310 and CJ 2310 both with a grade of “D” or better and instructor approval.

CJ 4309P. Investigations.

This course explores research related to police investigations. Topics covered include the process and different types of investigations, bias in investigations, different types of evidence (physical, technological, human), victims, interviewing, profiling, and investigative failures and safeguard methods. This course is designed to familiarize students with the theory and empirical research that surround the investigative process. The course does not teach you how to conduct investigations Prerequisite: CJ 2310 with a grade of "D" or better and CJ 3346 with a grade of "C" or better.

CJ 4310. Special Problems in the Criminal Justice System.

This course is a study of contemporary problems in the administration, management, organization and operation of criminal justice agencies. (Capstone Course). (WI) Prerequisite: CJ 2310 and CJ 2350 and CJ 2355 and CJ 2360 all with grades of "D" or better. Corequisite: CJ 3346 with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 4314. Terrorism in the United States.

Terrorist groups operating in the U.S. are examined with special emphasis on the far-right (militia, Christian identity, neo-nazi, other racist groups). Analyzed are their belief systems and structures, organizational structure, tactics and targets, and weapons. Future trends are discussed, including the threat posed by nuclear, biological, and chemical terrorism. (MULT).

CJ 4316. Treatment in Community and Institutional Corrections.

This course is a study of community based programs for adult and juvenile offenders, treatment modalities in various correctional settings, administration, legal issues, and future trends associated with community-based and institutional based treatment. Prerequisite: CJ 2355 with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 4321. Occupational Crime.

A study of the problems of organized and upper social status criminal activities with emphasis on statutes and their application to fraud, embezzlement, deceptive trade practices and illegal trade practices.

CJ 4323. Special Operation Units in Law Enforcement and Corrections.

This course introduces students to the basic principles of Special Operations Units (SOUs) within criminal justice agencies. Topics include the necessity for such units, the changing nature of communities and policing in America, the principles of crisis management, the development/implementation of SOUs, selection/training/operationalizing of personnel, and types of SOUs.

CJ 4325. Media and Crime.

This course explores the nature of public knowledge of social problems and their solutions related to crime and justice, and the media's role in facilitating those outcomes. Using an interdisciplinary scholarship drawn from a wide range of empirical and theoretical perspectives, the course addresses the relationship between crime, media, and public opinion in an ever evolving media landscape. The course challenges students to think critically and to consider innovative ways to improve the intersection between crime, the media and criminal justice policy.

CJ 4326. Women and Criminal Justice.

This course explores women’s involvement in three primary areas of criminal justice - as victims, criminals and practitioners employed in criminal justice agencies. Topics covered include the impact of sex and gender on criminological theory, sentencing, prison subcultures, victimization and career choices. (MULT) (WI) Prerequisite: CJ 1310 with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 4329. Organized Crime.

Survey of organized crime in contemporary society. Includes attention to crime types and methods, motivation, affiliations, and the effects of this type of criminality. Related legal and law enforcement perspectives will be covered, along with international and cyberspace issues. Prerequisite: CJ 1310 with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 4331. Serial Murder.

This course covers the phenomenon of serial murder and the police investigative response. Theories, concepts, and law enforcement analytic methods are covered in detail. Emphasis is placed on understanding the reality versus the myth of serial murder, serial killers, and criminal profiling.

CJ 4332. Advanced Criminal Justice Management.

A critical analysis of the nature of organizations within the criminal justice system. An analysis of theories of organizations and of organizational changes within law enforcement agencies. An examination of the quantitative data gathered by the Criminal Justice System and its effective use and presentation. Prerequisite: CJ 2310 or CJ 2355 either with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 4334. The Death Penalty in the United States.

This course examines the contemporary controversies that surround the death penalty, including its administration, modes of execution, disparities in application, deterrent effect, related social/economic costs, impact on international relations, and the potential for miscarriages of justice. The history of the death penalty, including Supreme Court developments, are also reviewed. Prerequisite: CJ 2350 and CJ 2360 both with grade of “D” or better.

CJ 4335. The Psychology of Antisocial Behavior.

This course examines how psychological perspectives are used to explain antisocial behavior, by drawing on the intersection between theory and research in the following areas of psychology: developmental, child psychopathology, biological, personality, cognitive, and social.

CJ 4336. Wrongful Convictions.

This course examines factors contributing to wrongful convictions and the criminal justice system’s response from an interdisciplinary perspective using research from the disciplines of law, criminology, and cognitive and social psychology as a foundation for examining how wrongful convictions occur and might be prevented in the future.

CJ 4338. Sexual Offenses.

This course examines the social and individual mechanisms responsible for the onset, persistence, and desistance of sexual offending using a criminological perspective. The current state of risk assessment, treatment, and responses from the police, community, and legal system are also examined. Prerequisite: CJ 1310 and CJ 2310 both with a grade of "C" or better.

CJ 4340. Crime Theory and Victimization.

This course examines the causes of crime, crime victimization and competing explanations for crime and the impact of crime on crime victims. The course draws on perspectives advanced by a number of diverse fields of inquiry, for example, biology, psychology, sociology, and the political and economic sciences. (WI) Prerequisite: CJ 1310 with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 4350. Contemporary Legal Issues in Law Enforcement.

An in-depth study of recent developments in criminal law and procedure. Their effects upon the criminal justice agency official in society will be given special attention. Includes specific case studies with emphasis on analyzing factual situations and legal issues. (WI) Prerequisite: CJ 2310 with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 4352. Contemporary Legal Issues in Corrections.

A study of the developing body of law defining the rights and duties of persons confined in penal institutions with equal emphasis on legal issues associated with probationers, parolees, and similar status’s within the corrections branch of the criminal justice system. (WI) Prerequisite: CJ 2355 with a grade of "D" or better.

CJ 4362. Readings in Criminal Justice.

An individualized readings course tailored to the academic and professional interests and needs of the student. Emphasis is placed on developing in-depth knowledge of selected criminal justice subjects through directed research. Repeatable for credit with different emphasis. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.

CJ 4363. Independent Studies in Criminal Justice.

Independent study and research on topics in criminal justice related to a student’s primary area of interest. Work may include individual research, critical reviews or integration of existing body of knowledge. Course may be repeated with different emphasis once for credit with approval of department chair.

CJ 4365. Comparative Criminal Justice.

A survey of the organizational, administrative and philosophical principles of criminal justice systems around the world. (WI) Prerequisite: CJ 2310 or CJ 2355 either with a grade of "D" or better.