Presents a brief history of the Criminal Justice System and an analysis of its structure and function. This course required of all CJ majors and is a prerequisite for all other courses in criminal justice.
An introduction to the planning, organization, and management of industrial, business, and government security resources. The focuses are on the protection of assets via the integration of physical, personal, and information security. Relations between security organizations and government agencies are also explored.
This course will encompass the study and relationship between those entities and institutions necessary for the protection of the United States. Course instructional material will examine the components of Federal, State and Local Police Agencies, as well as the role of Private Security and Emergency Responders needed to facilitate the implementation of the Homeland Security Act. Particular attention will be focused on Policy, Plans and Procedures at governmental and community levels.
Credits: 3
Examination of the historical development of police work with special emphasis on the conflicting role expectations facing the police officer.
This course is designed to introduce students to the latest innovations in the applications of new technological advances in the criminal justice system. Topic areas include an examination of the new technology of crime commission, and the corresponding new technology of crime control strategies. Our focus will be on the application of both "hard" technology (e.g. equipment, hardware, devices, etc.) and "soft" technology (e.g. computer software programs, information systems, classification devices, and other problem-solving applications) in each of the following areas: crime prevention, police, courts, institutional corrections, community corrections and the private sector.
This course will center on Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and their potential use by terrorists to obtain their goals. We will explore the origins, development and weaponization of Chemical, Biological, Nuclear and Radiological Systems and Devices. The course content is designed particularly for the First Responder to such incidents of WMD. The class will focus on the preparation and execution of plans and policies to counter this threat.
Credits: 3
The definition and nature of crime, criminal statistics, and theories of crime causation are included. Required of all CJ majors.
This course provides an overview about how the media portrays crime and its impact on the general public, crime, and victims and offenders.
Examines the rules that govern the everyday operation of the criminal justice system from investigation to sentencing and appeal. Topics include: Investigation, arrest, search and seizure, interrogation, pretrial detention and hearings, plea bargaining, trial procedures, sentencing, and appeals.
The historical origins and development of criminal law from the early common law to contemporary decisions and statutes. Constitutional and statutory factors as they pertain to criminal responsibility, capacity, crimes against persons and property, defenses to criminal charges and sentences. Sections of the Massachusetts Criminal Code and other statutes will be covered where applicable.
A course examining American constitutional doctrine as it has developed historically through the process of constitutional adjudication.
The basic principles of physical security with emphasis on tailoring these principles to the protection of specific operations and facilities. Proper planning, appropriate design, and use of modern techniques and devices to enhance security while reducing costs are discussed.
This laboratory course will cover basic procedures in arrest, search and seizure, and the gathering and evaluation of evidence as to admissibility, weight, and competence.
This course is a continuation of Criminalistics I. It is intended to familiarize the student with various types of physical evidence that can be found at the more violent crime scenes. Methods of identification, preservation, collection and analysis of physical evidence relating to specific criminal activities shall be stressed. Topics shall include Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, DNA Typing, Crime Scene Reconstruction, Point of Origin Determination and evidence associated with Death Investigations, Sexual Assaults, Bombings, Arsons, Motor Vehicle Homicides, Robberies and Burglaries.
This course acquaints the Criminal Justice student with the concept of terrorism at both the international and domestic levels. Topics include the history of terrorism, terrorism today and terrorism in the future. Counter measures taken to respond to terrorist threats are also examined.
Detailed examination of the U.S. prison and jail systems, highlighting such topics as classification of offenders, crowding, treatment programs, prison violence, and privatization.
An examination of causative factors in the development of youthful offenders and the development and philosophy behind treatment and rehabilitative practices.
Addresses the basic interdisciplinary principles of security management including planning, budgeting, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling. This course will also cover marketing security services to management, risk management, civil and criminal liability, and labor relations. Each aspect of the course is designed to prepare security managers to face the new challenges as broader and more cost-effective protection is required with fewer resources. The course will also bring about greater awareness and understanding of the various options available in security and loss control. It will identify a number of risk areas and outline various deterrent and preventative methods.
Pre-Req: 44.111 Industrial Security or 44.115 Intro to Homeland Security; CJ majors.
Explores the growth of crime prevention as an alternative to criminal justice responses to crime and examines current theories and research on different approaches to preventing crime, including developmental, situational and community prevention.
Pre-Reqs: 44.101 Criminal Justice System, 44.221 Criminology I; Criminal Justice (BS) majors
Pre-Reqs: 44.101 Criminal Justice System, 44.221 Criminology I; Criminal Justice (BS) majors
The issue of hate crime is examined focusing on federal and state statutory laws and the dynamics of police, court, and corrections based responses to the problem.
Pre-Req: 44.101 Criminal Justice System or 44.221 Criminology I;
Criminal Justice (BS) majors
To provide students with an in-depth analysis of the causes, context, and control of a wide range of violent crimes.
An introduction to international perspectives on crime and crime control policy in Western countries. International developments and cross-national research on crime and victimization, criminal justice, and crime prevention policy, and current issues will be examined.
Pre-Req: 44.101 Criminal Justice System
Overview of the development and character of the many types of offenders who become criminal psychopaths. The study of offender profiling is a method of identifying the perpetrator of a crime based on an analysis of the nature of the offense and the manner in which it was committed. We will explore the various methods used in classifying and predicting criminal behavior derived from the field of Criminology, Psychology and Forensic Science.
Pre-Req: CJ majors only.
The application of psychological theories, principles, and research to issues of concern to the criminal justice system.
This course is concerned with contemporary efforts to change police agencies, particularly in the United States. Contemporary reform revolves mainly around what we now know as "community policing" and this course will dwell at some length on these initiatives. Other innovations, some of which may complement community policing, and all of which are narrower in scope, are also considered.
Pre-Req: 44.141 Police Process; Criminal Justice (BS) majors
A comprehensive review of community-based sanctions and community-based, early-release mechanisms. In addition to traditional probation and parole reviews, "new" intermediate sanctions such as electronic monitoring, intensive supervision, boot camps, day fines, day reporting centers, and community service sentences.
Pre-Req: 44.101 Criminal Justice System; Criminal Justice (BS) majors
The gender and racial implications of criminal laws, criminal justice practices and programs will be examined. The position of women and racial/ethnic minorities will be assessed from the different perspectives of victims, offenders, and criminal justice practitioners.
Pre-Req: CJ majors only.
Hate crimes illustrate bigotry plus criminal acts. This course examines prejudice as a motivation for criminal behavior. The criminological theory for hate crime is reviewed, as well as historical perspectives of this crime category. This is a rich and comprehensive exploration that begins with understanding the psychology of prejudice and ends with reviewing genocide as a mass hate crime.
An introduction to the principles of administration, including planning, budgeting, grantsmanship, and evaluation as they relate to the criminal justice manager.
Pre-Req: 44.101 Criminal Justice System
Specific analysis of the management of contemporary police forces, including staffing, scheduling, training, collective bargaining, community relations, and other related issues.
Pre-Reqs: 44.101 Criminal Justice System, 44.141 Police Process
An advanced course of study and examination of a variety of current issues and topics in criminal justice. Students without a sufficient background in criminal justice courses should not attempt this course. Subject matter to be announced in advance. Visit the current semester schedule on the Continuing Studies website for more details.
Pre-Req: 44.221 Criminology I , CJ majors only.
A consideration of the realities and myths surrounding the involvement of individuals with mental illness in the criminal justice system. Material from criminal justice and psychology will be examined, with emphasis on service models that foster collaboration between mental health professionals, law enforcement, the courts, and corrections.
Pre-Req: 44.101 Criminal Justice System or 44.221 Criminology I;
Criminal Justice (BS) majors
Pre-Req: 44.101 Criminal Justice System or 44.221 Criminology I; Criminal Justice (BS) majors
An introduction to research methods for the criminal justice professional including terminology, standard methodologies, and elementary statistics.
Academic Plan Criminal Justice (BS) and Junior/Senior Standing only
This course is an extension of concepts learned in 44.390 (Introduction to Criminal Justice Research Methods). Statistics will be utilized as a mathematical language for interpreting the interrelation of social forces impacting criminality and deviance. The course will focus on how various statistics are calculated, but more importantly, the meaning of these figures for criminal justice scholars and practitioners will be discussed.
Pre-Req: 44.390 CJ Research Methods
This course examines the use of new technologies to analyze crime patterns and develop crime prevention strategies. Students study theories that explain the geographic distribution of crime and learn how to use Geographic Information Systems to study crime in ways that draw upon theory as well as how to apply GIS techniques in the law enforcement and corrections fields.
Pre-Req: 44.390 CJ Research Methods; Criminal Justice (BS), Junior level
The student is introduced to computer software packages (i.e. SPSS) used to analyze large quantitative data sets common in criminal justice/criminology. This course is seen as the capstone to the research methods/technology component of the major, and is intended for upper level students, especially those preparing for graduate study.
Pre-Req: 44.390 CJ Research Methods
Covers the problems posed by substance use/abuse and examines the role and impact of the legal, criminal justice, and public health systems, as well as current treatment/intervention approaches.
Pre-Req: CJ majors only.
Examines the patterns of victimization, the characteristics and lifestyles of crime victims, and the impact of their victimizations. The treatment of victims by the criminal justice system will be examined along with possible reforms in these approaches.
Pre-Req: 44.101 Criminal Justice System or 44.221 Criminology I;
Criminal Justice (BS) majors
Pre-Req: 44.221 Criminology I , CJ majors only.
Examines the causes and consequences of domestic violence and the latest research regarding the responses of the criminal justice system.
Course is concerned with introducing students to empirical findings and theoretical perspectives concerned with the maltreatment of children and youth. One of the major goals of the course is to balance the view of children and youth in the criminal justice system by focusing on their victimization instead of exclusively on their offending behavior.
Level: minimum Sophomore standing
Specific practice in the definition, design, and execution of a research project, and an analysis of the impact of contemporary criminal justice research on policy development.
Level Junior Standing
This course is designed as an independent study of a subject with Chair's permission.
Level Senior Standing
An examination of the causes and consequences of computer crime as well as the criminal justice system's response to the problem.
Pre-Req: CJ majors only.
This is an intense internship program for Criminal Justice majors which requires approval by the Department Chair.
Assigned fieldwork under the supervision and with the permission of the instructor assigned to the course. The purpose is to broaden the educational experience of pre-service students in law enforcement, probation, and correctional agencies within this area. This course is designed to provide a correlation of theoretical knowledge with practical experience in an area of particular interest to the student.
Jr. or Sr. status only
