This course is intended to provide the students with an introduction to the historical, political and social aspects of the criminal justice system. Students explore issues that impact the overall functioning criminal justice system, with a focus on the three main components of the system: police, courts and corrections.

This is an in-depth study of the organization management and function of the police in our modern pluralistic society. Topics covered include: basic police administration and organization relative to police staff and operational functions, operational methods, basic criminal investigative techniques, written and oral communications to include report taking, writing, and testifying in court, and an overview of the legal requirements regarding criminal procedure and evidence.

Prerequisite: CJ111.

Supervised field work in particular areas of the student’s interest is available as needed. The student is expected to commit at least ten hours per week to the field experience (varies according to the number of credits assigned to the field experience).

Prerequisite: consent of the criminal justice coordinator.

This course examines the history, philosophies, and components of the American correctional system. It provides an overview of the origins of corrections and an introduction to the philosophical ideas with which specific correctional approaches are associated. The history, nature and recent developments of major institutions and programs that make up the current correctional system: jails, probation, intermediate punishments, prison, and parole are explored.

Prerequisites: CJ111 and S110.

The primary objective of this course is to provide a comprehensive survey of the use and/or abuse of drugs in the United States and their impact on the criminal justice system. Special attention is given to the historical and sociological contexts in which drug laws have evolved and the implication of those laws on drug prevention policies.

Prerequisite: CJ111 or S110.

Learning objectives of this course include an understanding of the problems faced by entry-level police officers in the area of criminal warrants and confessions, stop-and-frisk, and pre-trial identification procedures. A detailed understanding of the Minnesota Criminal Statutes is also expected.

This course provides numerous theoretical perspectives on ethnicity, class and gender along with a variety of activities which ensure each student an opportunity for developing an experience base with members of various ethnic, social class and gender communities.

Also offered as S425. Prerequisite: S110.

This course examines the multifaceted problem of criminal victimization. The historical and emerging roles of victimology as a field of study are examined and special attention is paid to the theoretical and policy aspects of the field.

Learning objectives of this course include understanding the evolution of Law Enforcement, and the different issues that present themselves during this process. Each student is expected to demonstrate an understanding of the: selection and socialization of police professionals; organizational management; police deviance: corruption and controls; minorities in policing; community-based policing; the use of force and the hazards of police work.

Prerequisite: CJ250.

Students taking this course are required to do individual research. A criminal justice faculty member supervises the project.

Prerequisite: consent of the supervising faculty member.

Registration for this course initiates a student’s work on the thesis requirement. The student is expected to select a topic and design the research project. The course is conducted primarily on an independent basis in consultation with the student’s advisor.

Prerequisite: PS342/S350.

In this required course for majors, the student must complete an original research project.

Prerequisite: CJ489.

Specialized courses are offered according to particular areas of student interest and need.

Prerequisite: consent of criminal justice coordinator.

An off-campus internship provides qualified juniors or seniors an opportunity to participate in field experience under the guidance and supervision of competent professionals.

Prerequisite: consent of criminal justice coordinator.

Credit for this course requires students to complete an in-depth paper based on a student’s experience in a criminal justice internship. The research paper requires students to review scholarly research on a topic related to their internship, and discuss the relationship between scholarly research and their internship experience. All assignments leading up to the completion of the paper requires students to apply academic knowledge to real world settings.