Criminology, Law, and Justice - CLJ

The information below lists courses approved in this subject area effective Fall 2015. Not all courses will necessarily be offered these terms. Please consult the Schedule of Classes for a listing of courses offered for a specific term.

500-level courses require graduate standing.

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101 Introduction to Criminology, Law, and Justice
3 hours. Introduction to key components of the justice system (including police, courts, and corrections) and contemporary trends in crime and delinquency. Critiques of the effectiveness and fairness of the system and emerging ideas for advancing justice. US Society course.

102 Foundations of Law and Justice
3 hours. The philosophical and historical foundations of American and non-American criminology, law, and justice. Focus on diversity, due process, equality, liberty, punishment, social control and legal institutions and procedures. US Society course.

110 Rights, Justice and the Law
3 hours. The historical evolution, philosophical justification and political context of human rights is examined. The balance between individual rights and social responsibility is analyzed. US Society course.

114 Race, Class, Gender and the Law
3 hours. An exploration of the relation between inequality and law and justice in the US, with specific attention to the importance of race, class, and gender. US Society course.

120 Crime and Society
3 hours. An introduction to theories of social deviance and control. The historical development, empirical basis, strengths, and limitations of various theories are analyzed. This course may be taught in a blended-online and classroom format. When that is the case, use of a computer and Internet access will be required. A high-speed connection is strongly recommended. Please check the online class schedule for blended-online sections. US Society course.

121 Violence in Society
3 hours. Causes and consequences of violence in the United States and in other societies. Various theories of violence are discussed and used to analyze individual, group, and governmental violence. This is a blended-online and classroom course. Use of a computer and Internet access is required. A high-speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. US Society course.

122 Gangs and the Media
3 hours. Popular images of gangs in the mass media are contrasted with perspectives from social science literature. Blended online and classroom course. Use of computer and internet access is required. A high speed connection, while not required, is strongly suggested. US Society course.

200 Law in Society
3 hours. Development of law and legal institutions from historical, comparative, and contemporary perspectives; interrelationships of law, custom, morality, and social change; the legal profession. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101. US Society course.

210 Principles of Criminal Law
3 hours. A survey of the basic principles of criminal law and procedure: proof of fact, act and intent, responsibility. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101.

220 Criminology
3 hours. Introductory survey of the literature developed by criminologists in their study of crime in American society. Same as SOC 231. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101.

240 Criminal Justice Organizations
3 hours. Theories of complex organizations, organization behavior, and administration relating to criminal justice and other rule-applying agencies. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101.

261 Research Methods I
3 hours. Introduction to research in criminology, law, and justice. From conceptualization to description of results. Research design, observation, archival, survey, and experimental methodologies in criminal justice related settings. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101.

262 Research Methods II
3 hours. Statistical data analysis in the criminology, law, and justice context. Probability, t-tests, correlation, regression, sampling theory, tests of significance. Problems with police and crime survey data. Prerequisite(s): MATH 090 or MATH 118.

271 African Americans and the Politics of Incarceration
3 hours. Examination of the status of African Americans as offenders, victims, and personnel within the criminal justice system. Same as AAST 271 and SOC 271. Prerequisite(s): Grade of C or better or concurrent registration in AAST 100 or Grade of C or better or concurrent registration in SOC 101. Individual and Society, and US Society course.

301 Writing in the Discipline
0 hours. This course will be used to identify the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior standing; and approval of the department.

303 Introduction to Forensic Science
3 hours. Examines the basic principles and judicial uses of forensic science. Reviews the applications of the biological, physical, and behavioral sciences to questions of evidence and the law. Prerequisite(s): Junior standing and major in either criminology, law and justice, or a natural sciences discipline; or consent of the instructor.

310 Substantive Criminal Law
3 hours. General doctrines of criminal liability in the U.S.; classification of crimes against persons, property, and the public welfare; the concept of governmental sanctions of an individual's conduct. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 210 and one other 200-level criminology, law, and justice course.

311 Criminal Procedure
3 hours. Legal problems associated with the investigation of crime, acquisition of evidence, commencement of adjudication, sentencing and appellate rights. Prerequisite(s): One 200-level criminology, law, and justice course.

345 Police in Society
3 hours. The functions and organization of police/investigative agencies, especially those on the local level, the nature of the experience of being a police officer. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101 and CLJ 240 and one other 200-level criminology, law, and justice course; or consent of the instructor.

350 Courts in Society
3 hours. Behavior and structure of state and federal criminal courts including preadjudication processing, prosecutorial and defense decisions, guilty-plea processes, bench and jury trials, sentencing, judicial selection, court administration. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101 and two 200-level criminology, law, and justice courses; or consent of the instructor.

355 Punishment, Prisons and Corrections
3 hours. A survey of American corrections from local jails to mega prisons; correctional field services; probation and parole and recent developments in alternatives to incarceration. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101 and two 200-level criminology, law, and justice courses; or consent of the instructor.

361 Criminal Investigation
3 hours. Methods for reconstructing criminal acts using information derived from people, physical evidence and records; scientific, organizational and legal considerations in conducting such inquiries. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101 and two 200-level criminology, law, and justice courses; or consent of the instructor.

394 Senior Studies in Criminology, Law, and Justice
3 hours. The analysis and exposition of historical or contemporary issues in the criminology field. Topics may vary from semester to semester. Prerequisite(s): Senior standing.

395 Internship
3 hours. Observation of and participation in the daily work of a criminal justice agency, private or public. Work is supervised by a faculty member and the managment of personnel of the agency. May be repeated to a maximum of 6 hours. A maximum of three hours may be counted toward the undergraduate major in criminology, law, and justice. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 200 and CLJ 210 and CLJ 220 and CLJ 240 and CLJ 261 and CLJ 262; and one from among CLJ 345 or CLJ 350 or CLJ 355 and junior standing; and consent of the instructor; and preregistration in the department.

399 Independent Study
2 TO 8 hours. Independent study and research under the supervision of a faculty member, on a subject not covered in the regular curriculum. May be repeated. Repeating course for more than 6 hours must be approved by the head of the department. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 200 and CLJ 210 and CLJ 220 and CLJ 240 and CLJ 261 and CLJ 262; and one course from among CLJ 345 or CLJ 350 or CLJ 355; and a 3.50 overall grade point average, and a 3.00 grade point average in criminology, law, and justice coursework. For criminology, law, and justice majors only.

402 Trial Interaction
3 OR 4 hours. Language use, culture, and law in the trial process. Analysis of qualitative methods applied to legal processes and change. Same as LING 402. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 261 and CLJ 350; or consent of the instructor.

405 The Problem of Justice
3 OR 4 hours. Premodern and modern views of justice and their practical utility in analyzing legislative, executive, and judicial programs for enhancing or restricting justice. Same as POLS 405. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101, plus two 200-level courses in criminology, law, and justice or two 200-level courses in political science.

421 Youth, Crime, Law and Justice in Society
3 OR 4 hours. Theories of juvenile delinquency and rule-breaking; juvenile rights; organization and administration of the juvenile justice system in the U.S. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 210 and CLJ 220.

422 Victimization
3 OR 4 hours. Survey of criminal victimization theory and research. Examination of causes, consequences, and prevention of violent crime and of victims' experiences in the criminal justice system. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101 and two 200-level criminology, law, and justice courses.

423 Violence
3 OR 4 hours. Explores how men and women have experienced violence historically and in modern times. Students examine how violence is perpetrated through words, pictures, physical harm, and silences. Same as ANTH 424. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101 and CLJ 200.

424 Gender, Crime, and Justice
3 OR 4 hours. An in-depth examination of the etiology of female crime and the involvement of females in the criminal justice system as offenders, victims, and workers/professionals. Same as GWS 424. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 101 and CLJ 220; or consent of the instructor.

435 Organized and White Collar Crime in the United States
3 OR 4 hours. Analysis and evaluation of organized crime, including its public perception; sociological, political, and economic impacts as well as past and present enforcement strategies. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Two 200-level criminology, law, and justice courses.

442 Comparative Criminal Justice Institutions
3 OR 4 hours. Comparative study of law, jurisprudence, enforcement, and punishment in Western and non-Western societies, including civil law, common law, and Islamic systems. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): Two 200-level criminology, law, and justice courses.

456 Community Corrections
3 OR 4 hours. History, processes, and functions of programs organized for sanctioning offenders in community settings, such as probation, parole, halfway houses, restitution, community service, home confinement. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 350 or CLJ 355; plus one 200-level criminology, law, and justice course.

480 Application of Science to the Law
4 hours. Issues affecting the development, accessibility and admissibility of forensic science services by the criminal justice system; problems which may compromise the quality, fairness and effectiveness of scientific inquiries. Same as BPS 480. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 210 and CLJ 260; or graduate standing.

491 Topics in Rule Breaking
3 OR 4 hours. Content of course varies, addressing major issues. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated up to 1 time(s). Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Six 200- or 300-level criminology, law, and justice courses.

492 Topics in Rule Application
3 OR 4 hours. Content of course varies, addressing major issues. 3 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. May be repeated up to 1 time(s). Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Six 200- or 300- level criminology, law, and justice courses.

500 Law and Society
4 hours. Emergence and growth of rule-governed social order; social organization of legal actors; functional aspects of law including social control, dispute resolution; rule-interpretation; and the promotion of social and economic enterprises.

520 Criminological Theory
4 hours. Critical examination of the major traditions in criminological theories; emphasis on critical, positivist, interpretivist, and postmodern.

539 Seminar in Rule Breaking
4 hours. Study of a specific area of rule-breaking such as larceny, criminal violence, corporate crime, political crime, public order criminality or occupational crime. Content varies. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 hours. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

540 Criminal Justice: Process and Institutions
4 hours. Critical examination of the criminal justice system. The dynamics and processes of contemporary police, judicial, and correctional institutions are evaluated in the context of key historical developments and relevant research.

541 The Dynamics and Behavior in Criminal Justice Agencies
4 hours. Leading theories of organizational behavior used to interpret organizational patterns, functions, and constraints in rule-applying institutions; emphasis on the application of these theories to the problems of planned change.

546 Violence and Victimization
4 hours. The field of victimology and victimization theories are introduced including characteristics of victims, crime and post-crime victimization effects, and victim criminal justice system experiences.

547 Race, Class, and Gender Dimensions of Crime and Justice
4 hours. Theories addressing the intersections of race, class, gender, crime and justice. Students examine criminological theories, social construction of race, class, and gender, legal decision-making, and implications for justice in our society. Same as GWS 547.

548 Legal Discourse and Culture in Law and Society
4 hours. Discourse, power, and culture in legal settings and analysis of power and resistance in the construction of law as a social fact. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 500.

555 Corrections: Institutions and Field Operations
4 hours. Examines institutions and field services in public and private sectors. Addresses historical and empirical approaches to the analysis of policy and correctional effectiveness; the neo-classical challenge to rehabilitation, and corrections case law. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 540.

560 Quantitative Methods and Design
4 hours. Fundamentals of scientific inquiry, logic of causal inference, and quantitative methods. Development of perspective and identification of weaknesses in research design. Development of skills in proposal development and data collection unique to criminology, law, and justice. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 262 or consent of the instructor.

561 Qualitative Methods and Design
4 hours. Theories and techniques of qualitative research methods, particularly fieldwork and indepth interviews. Criminology, law, and justice problems amenable to these techniques and methods and interrelationship between the researcher role and substantive findings. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 262 or consent of the instructor.

562 Statistical Applications in Criminology, Law, and Justice I
4 hours. Basic descriptive and inferential statistics, their applications in data analysis, and assumptions underlying use of these procedures in criminology, law, and justice research. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 262 or the equivalent.

563 Evaluation Research in Criminology, Law, and Justice
4 hours. Experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental approaches to evaluation research; indicators of effectiveness. Applications to crime prevention, police, courts, and correctional programs. Politics of researcher-agency interactions. Prerequisite(s): One graduate level course in research methods and consent of the instructor.

564 Statistical Applications in Criminology, Law, and Justice II
4 hours. Introduction to multivariate statistics with emphasis on multiple regression in criminology, law, and justice research, analysis and interpretation of regression output, coding of variables and path analysis. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 562.

570 Advanced Methods in Criminology, Law, and Justice
4 hours. Methodological problems in criminology, law, and justice measurement including the identification problem in estimating deterrance and the limitations of survival analysis in estimating recidivism. Prerequisite(s): CLJ 560 and CRJ 561 or the equivalent.

580 Forensic Science: Survey and Foundations
2 hours. Survey course for forensic sciences with emphasis on criminalistics; unique characteristics, underlying philosophies; nature, analytical methods, significance of results with chemical, biological, trace, pattern evidence. Same as BPS 580. Prerequisite(s): Approval of the department.

589 Special Topics in Forensic Science
3 hours. Content may vary but will revolve around the philosophic, moral, and managerial problems associated with criminalistics practice. Topics may include evidence collection, analysis, reporting, and testimony to non-criminalistics fields. Same as BPS 589. May be repeated if topics vary. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

592 Internship in Criminology, Law, and Justice
2 TO 4 hours. Placement in a criminal justice agency or setting under the supervision of a faculty member with an accepted research project and paper. May be repeated to a maximum of 4 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the instructor.

594 Selected Issues in Criminology, Law, and Justice
4 hours. Current issues and advanced problem areas related to deviance, crime, etiology, labeling, criminal careers, organized crime and victimology. May be repeated to a maximum of 12 hours. Students may register in more than one section per term.

596 Independent Study or Research
2 TO 8 hours. Research undertaken for this course may not duplicate that being done for CLJ 598. Supervised projects, which may consist of extensive readings in criminology, law, and justice, research on special problems not included in the regular course offering. May be repeated. Students may register in more than one section per term. Prerequisite(s): Consent of instructor and approval of the director of graduate studies.

597 Project Research
0 TO 8 hours. Independent research project under the supervision of a faculty member. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 hours. Prerequisite(s): Graduate standing in the M.A. in Criminology, Law, and Justice program and consent of the instructor.

598 Thesis Research
0 TO 16 hours. For students doing thesis research or writing. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated to a maximum of 8 hours. Prerequisite(s): Consent of the student's adviser; and acceptance of the thesis topic and preliminary thesis outline by the thesis committee.

599 Dissertation Research
0 TO 16 hours. Research on the topic of the doctoral dissertation. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading only. May be repeated to a maximum of 20 hours. Prerequisite(s): Consent of faculty advisor and director of graduate studies.

Information provided by the Office of Programs and Academic Assessment.

This listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract. Every attempt is made to provide the most current and correct information. Courses listed here are subject to change without advance notice. Courses are not necessarily offered every term or year. Individual departments or units should be consulted for information regarding frequency of course offerings.