Criminology and Justice Studies Course Descriptions
Below are descriptions of the undergraduate Criminology and Justice Studies courses offered through the department:
CRIM 12000 - INTRODUCTION TO JUSTICE STUDIES
Surveys the U.S. criminal justice system and its component institutions and processes, including overviews of policing, corrections, courts, and their inter-relations in the criminal justice system. An overview is also provided of the nature and measurement of crime, patterns of offending and victimization, and criminal justice responses to offending and victimization. Historical and emerging issues are introduced including a variety of insights related to effective, professional and ethical practices in criminal justice.
Prerequisite: None.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 22100 - BASIC INTERVIEWING
Foundation of basic interviewing principles including communication models,question format, distortions, topic control, inhibitors, facilitators, listening, types of interviews and practical exercises.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 22300 - POLICE ROLE
Systematic analysis of the police role. An examination of the related research with an emphasis on divergent perspective and development of conceptual models.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 22301 - THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS
An examination of established investigative processes, techniques employed in conducting a systematic investigation and legal implications.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 26701 - CORRECTIONS
Course topics include history of corrections, punishment, community corrections, correctional institutions, correctional administration, issues in corrections, and future trends of corrections.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 26704 - ISSUES IN LAW AND SOCIETY
General treatment of the legal system with special emphasis on its origin, structure and functional consequences on issues and problems in modern society.
Prerequisite: none.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 27095 - SPECIAL TOPICS JUSTICE STUDIES
(Repeatable for a maximum of 6 credit hours)Intensive analysis of issues significant and current in the field which are not covered in regular courses.
Prerequisite: none.
2.000 OR 3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 27311 - VICTIMOLOGY
Patterns of victim-offender relationship and process of victimization. Role of victims in criminal process. Problems of adjustment to victimization and issues in victim compensation.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000.
3.000 Credit hours
SOC 32005 - CAREER PATHWAYS IN SOCIOLOGY AND CRIMINOLOGY AND JUSTICE STUDIES
This course equips students with an understanding of the career pathways available after completing a major or minor in Sociology or Criminology and Justice Studies. Provides students with a broad overview of career paths in SOC and CRIM while also helping students identify opportunities for internships and research while at KSU.
Prerequisite: CRIM 12000 or SOC 12050 and major or minor in Sociology or Criminology and Justice Studies; and sophomore standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 32200 - POLICE AND COMMUNITY
An examination of the rights of individuals, citizen involvement, the police as members of the community, and the development implementation and evaluation of related programs.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and CRIM (or JUS) 22300; and sophomore standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 32500 - CRISIS INTERVENTION
Crisis intervention situations in criminal justice are considered. The service role of criminal justice personnel, community resources and skill development are also considered.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000; and CRIM (or JUS) 22300 or 27311; and sophomore standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 33200 - CRIMINAL LAW
Developmental backgrounds and principles of criminal law; structure, functions of criminal law; rules of criminal liability and procedural requisites in criminal proof. Case analysis included.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 33300 - DEVELOPMENT OF JUSTICE IN AMERICA
Course focuses on the evolution of the criminal justice process from its establishment in the United States to the present.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and sophomore standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 33400 - CRIME AND JUSTICE IN POPULAR CULTURE
Crime and criminal justice as they are socially constructed and portrayed in popular culture including television, news and entertainment, popular film and other media of popular culture. Critical analysis of relations between popular culture, media institutions, crime and justice. Role of popular culture media in shaping public opinions about crime and justice, and in turn the relevance of public opinion for understanding criminal justice politics and policy.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and sophomore standing.
CRIM 34200 - CRIMINAL PROCEDURES AND EVIDENCE
This course focuses on the use of evidence and the legal procedures followed in the processing of criminal cases. Case analysis and writing assignments required.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 or PLST 18000.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 34311 - YOUTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
Analysis of situations involving the legal rights of children and youths which demand intervention by justice institutions or service agencies.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 34500 - UNDERSTANDING CRIMINAL LAW THROUGH FICTION
Exploration of legal concepts and their application as reflected in popular and literary fiction. Legal analysis of important issues involving criminal and civil law, criminal and civil procedures, evidence, courts and related legal topics. Application of legal issues and procedures to real life situations.
Prerequisites: CRIM 12000 and CRIM 26704 and Junior Standing.
3.00 Credit Hours
CRIM 36702 - CRIMINOLOGY
Examines crime from the legal and social viewpoints; including extent and patterns of criminal behavior. Special emphasis on theoretical explanations of criminal behavior and crime rates.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 or SOC 12050; and junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 36703 - JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
Social and personal factors in juvenile delinquency; operation of juvenile justice system; prevention and control of delinquency.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and 36702.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 36800 - LGBTQ POPULATIONS IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
This course explores research on LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) populations in the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Students will examine the role that sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression play in the juvenile and criminal justice system, with particular attention given to the experiences of LGBTQ people within these institutions. Drawing on sociological theories of sex and gender and queer criminology, the course will review historical trends in the treatment of LGBTQ people in the justice systems, circumstances facing LGBTQ populations (sexual assault, harassment, hate crimes, institutional discrimination), and policy developments and innovations.
Prerequisites: SOC 12050 or CRIM 12000 and Sophomore standing
3.00 Credit Hours
CRIM 37091 - SEMINAR IN CRITICAL ISSUES IN JUSTICE
(Repeatable for credit)Intense analysis of issues significant and current in the justice field which are not covered in regular courses.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and sophomore standing.
1.000 TO 3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 37095 - SPECIAL TOPICS IN JUSTICE STUDIES
(Repeatable for a maximum of 6 credit hours)Intensive analysis of issues significant and current in the field which are not covered in regular courses. Repeatable for a total of 6 hours.
Prerequisite: none.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 37311 - MINORITIES IN CRIME AND JUSTICE
Focus on the role of social and ethnic minorities as victims, offenders and participants in the justice process.
Prerequisite: junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 37411 - WOMEN IN CRIME AND JUSTICE
Women as a significant group in crime and their role in the development and operation of the criminal justice system.
Prerequisite: junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 37511 - IMMIGRATION: LAW, CRIME AND JUSTICE
Covers issues of immigration related to law, crime, and justice. Students will be introduced to issues of international diversity through the consideration of issues of law, criminal justice, and social justice related to immigration. Topics to be covered include legal and illegal immigration, immigration law enforcement, immigrants as criminal offenders and as crime victims, police-community relations, immigrants in correctional or detention facilities, and immigration as a national security concern and controversy.
Prerequisite: junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 44400 - JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION
Identification of administrative and management functions, leadership management styles and supervision of personnel in justice organizations.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and 22300 and 26704.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 45093 - VARIABLE TITLE WORKSHOP IN JUSTICE STUDIES
(Repeatable for credit)
Prerequisite: Special approval.
1.000 TO 6.000 Credit hours
CRIM 45096 - INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION
(Repeatable for a maximum of 6 credit hours when topic varies) Involves an individual research project of considerable depth in a subject area not covered by regular course offerings. Prior consent of supervising faculty member is required.
Prerequisites: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and 26704; and SOC 32210; and junior standing; and special approval.
1.000 TO 3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 46200 - ADVANCED CRIMINAL AND LEGAL ISSUES
Focuses on reading, analyzing, and discussing current criminal, evidentiary and procedural issues as set forth in recent and historical U.S. Supreme Court cases. Case analysis, discussion and writing assignments are required.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 or PLST 18000; and junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 46701 - CRIME, JUSTICE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Examination of the relationship between drug and alcohol abuse and criminal behavior. Efforts to regulate, control, prevent and treat chemical abuse offenders are considered.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and 26704.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 46705 - COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
(Cross-listed with CRIM (or JUS) 56705) This course is devoted to an examination of formal and informal approaches to correctional supervision and treatment through probation, parole and community residential treatment.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and 26701.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 46707 - CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS
A thorough examination of the correctional institution, including the structure and organization, personnel, inmate social world and examination of the issues in contemporary correctional institutions.
Prerequisite: 12 credit hours of justice studies CRIM (or JUS) coursework, including CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and 26701.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 46708 - TREATMENT METHODS
(Cross-listed with CRIM (or JUS) 56708) Various methods of treatment are applied to corrections field. Focus is on specific techniques in community and institutional correctional settings. Direct observation utilized when possible.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and 26701; and junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 46792 - INTERNSHIP
(Repeatable for a maximum of 12 credit hours) Work experience under direction of supervising faculty member in private, federal, state or local justice agency or law agency.
Prerequisite: 9 credit hours of criminology (CRIM) or justice studies (JUS) coursework, including CRIM (or JUS) 12000; and junior standing; and special approval.
3.000 TO 9.000 Credit hours
CRIM 46798 - RESEARCH IN JUSTICE STUDIES
(Repeatable for a maximum of 12 credit hours)Individual research under direct supervision of a faculty member to provide direct hands-on research experience working on faculty research projects. Prior consent of supervising faculty member is required. Only 6 hours of nontraditional coursework can count towards the major.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and 26704; and SOC 32210; and special approval.
3.000 TO 12.000 Credit hours
CRIM 46800 - INTELLIGENCE AND NATIONAL SECURITY
(Cross-listed with CRIM (or JUS) 56800) Addresses topics related to global security, including economic and industrial espionage, trade secret thefts, law and technology and cyber-crimes. Implications of industrial espionage and intellectual property theft for the global economy, national and international security, and the control and regulation of white collar crime. Foundational exploration of Intelligence and Counterintelligence (IC) as concepts, processes and careers.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 46801 - HOMELAND SECURITY
(Cross-listed with CRIM (or JUS) 56801) Explores the nexus between terrorism and homeland security as it relates to homeland security strategy, assessment, evaluation, preparation, responses, and recovery actions and mechanisms relating to terrorism and homeland security. There is a focus on the importance of coordination of various assessments, plans, strategies and implementation of plans of action involving local, county, state, federal and international responses pertaining to terrorism and homeland security.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 46802 - TERRORISM AND COUNTERTERRORISM
(Cross-listed with CRIM (or JUS) 56802) Examines the origins and evolution of modern terrorism, challenges posed by terrorist groups to states and to the international system, and strategies employed to confront and combat terrorism. Assesses a wide variety of terrorist organizations, and explores the psychological, socioeconomic, political, and religious causes of terrorist violence past and present. Also analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of various counterterrorism efforts.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 46803 - INFORMATION AND CYBER SECURITY
(Cross-listed with CRIM (or JUS) 56803) Vulnerabilities of computer networks and techniques for protecting networks and data are discussed. Basic elements of symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, secure e-commerce, involving secure transmission, authentication, digital signatures, digital certificates and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) are presented. Provides students with an introduction to the field of information security risk assessment. Incorporates cases in risk analysis derived from actual state and law enforcement agencies or private firms.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 46904 - ISSUES IN POLICE WORK
(Cross-listed with CRIM (or JUS) 56904) Analysis of police practices and functions at the municipal, state and federal level. Examination of emerging trends and issues in policing. Review of changes in police department policies and research on problem-solving in policing.
Prerequisites: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and 22300; and junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 47002 - HUMAN SERVICE AGENCIES AND LAW
(Cross-listed with CRIM (or JUS) 57002) An overview of the law as it pertains to human service agencies, as well as on the relationships between such agencies and the criminal and juvenile justice systems. Focused attention is given to agencies that closely connect with vulnerable populations (such as children and the poor) and those that work closely with policing and corrections (such as mental health agencies and halfway houses).
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 47003 - RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND VICTIM ASSISTANCE
(Cross-listed with CRIM (or JUS) 57003) An inquiry into the theories and research in restorative justice, as well as an assessment of victim assistance protocols and programs. Examines restorative justice and victim assistance initiatives that provide an alternative framework for dealing with crime that places victim needs in a primary position, while addressing legal concerns and interagency differences.
Prerequisites: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and 27311; and junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 47004 - LEGAL PERSPECTIVES AND RIGHTS IN VICTIMIZATION
(Cross-listed with (CRIM (or JUS) 57004) An analysis of the legal rights of victims of crime at state and federal levels as well as a review of how these laws relate to the treatment of victims within the criminal and juvenile justice systems, with particular focus on the courts and correctional institutions. Relevant legislative and Constitutional changes and challenges are also addressed.
Prerequisites: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and 27311; and junior standing.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 47095 - SPECIAL TOPICS IN JUSTICE STUDIES
(Repeatable for credit)Intensive analysis of issues significant and current in the field which are not covered in regular courses.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and 26704.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 47211 - COURT FUNCTIONS
Analysis of the structure, functions and critical role of incumbents in the criminal court.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and 26704.
3.000 Credit hours
CRIM 47311 - COMPARATIVE JUSTICE SYSTEMS
A systematic comparison of the developmental backgrounds, structure and functioning of the major systems of justice in the modern world.
Prerequisite: CRIM (or JUS) 12000 and 26704.
3.000 Credit hours