An introduction to the history, processes and functions of the American criminal justice system and its primary components, law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
Core curriculum to provide students the basic training required to certify as a reserve or special function officer. P.O.S.T. certification only. Register through the Division of Continuing Education. Does not count for CJ credit toward major, minor or BIS.
Police officer curriculum required to certify as a peace officer with full police powers. (A student must have completed the Core curriculum, CJ 1070, to register for this course.) P.O.S.T. certification only. Register through the Division of Continuing Education. Does not count for CJ credit toward major, minor or BIS.
An introductory overview of the correctional system including: the historical development and societal context of corrections, contemporary correctional theory and law, jails and prisons, community corrections, treatment, juvenile corrections, and contemporary correctional issues.
Surveys the American criminal justice system. Elements of crime, defenses, historical foundation, limits, purposes and functions of criminal law.
This is an introduction to Criminal Investigation including the necessary functions of interviewing witnesses and suspects, techniques in the collection and preservation of evidence, crime scene processing including some post-crime scene processing of evidence, follow-up investigation and recent techniques of enhancing the criminal investigation function.
An introduction to the various types of physical evidence commonly encountered at crime scenes (e.g., fingerprints, hairs, fibers, drugs, glass, etc.), including discussion of comparison and identification techniques (i.e., optical examination/comparison, instrumental analysis, and many chemical processes) used in the analysis of such physical evidence.
Examination of the diverse components which make up the security function. Principles and concepts in physical security, loss control and crime prevention.
Origin, philosophy, and development of the juvenile justice system, particularly the juvenile court. Emphasis placed upon laws, detention, adjudication, probation, after-care, foster homes, and other alternative correctional practices.
This course is designed to give students an understanding of the integration of the criminal investigative process with complex scientific application of modern technology in searching for and processing physical evidence in crime scenes. It will provide background into the theory behind Crime Scene Science and the ethical and legal challenges faced by Forensic Scientists and Crime Scene Investigators. Using modern instructional materials, students will learn of the complexity of processing and documentation of Crime Scenes with the ultimate goal of having a successful outcome in the court system. Prerequisite CJ 1350.
Deals with the principles and rules of law emphasizing evidentiary problems related to criminal cases.
Juvenile justice system emphasizing Utah law and procedure. Studies differences between juvenile and adult systems, delinquent acts, juvenile treatment as adults and role and function of probation, youth corrections, family services and the community.
This number is used for newly developed experimental courses.
Field experience in an internship with city, county, and state criminal justice agencies. Registration is by permission of the instructor. Students may take this course for a combined total of six (6) credit hours, with consent of instructor.
Consult the semester class schedule for the current offering under this number. The specific title with the credit authorized will appear in the semester schedule and on the student transcript.
Current command level problems and trends in criminal justice organizations and management including work environment, motivation, leadership, morale, discipline, evaluation, planning, and functioning of line and staff.
Problem solving and the development of community trust are integral to community policing. The philosophy, concepts and methods in support of identifying the issues in a community that relate to crime are outlined and studied. The goal of creating healthy neighborhoods and sustaining the quality of neighborhood life are explained in detail. Crime is pervasive in American society, but victims and criminals have identified characteristics. These characteristics impact certain neighborhoods more than others. These characteristics and issues surrounding them are explored and researched.
An overview of community based correctional programs focusing upon the historical origin, development, and current practices in probation, parole, the halfway house, work and educational release, as well as furlough programs.
Study of the American criminal trial-level court. Students shall examine the theory and reality of criminal court processing including an in-depth look at the roles and practices of prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges. Special attention will be paid to the relationships among these actors, the system's dependency on plea bargaining, and jury behavior.
Analytical evaluation of the major types and causes of internal and external crimes occurring in business enterprises. Examination of motives and methods of those committing profit-draining crimes.
Deals with the threats, vulnerabilities, and risks of unauthorized system access. Understanding the modus operandi of criminal acts associated with computer crime and how to investigate them. Cryptography and network security will be closely examined.
This course studies the law as it pertains to the corrections field. It includes an examination of the 8th Amendment rights and law effecting probation, incarceration, and parole.
Study of the nature, extent, causes, and treatment of crime.
The problems and dilemmas faced by crime victims. Victimization risk factors. The systemic and societal creation of victims. Relationships between victims and offenders. Crime victim compensation and reparations. The historic treatment and emerging roles of the crime victim in the criminal justice process.
Course critically examines the American jail with particular emphasis on history, management, operations and contemporary issues.
A course which focuses upon the contemporary adult prison with a particular emphasis upon current problems, issues and dilemmas. Diversity issues such as integration of the prison work force by women and minorities as well as the problems of elderly, women, and minority inmates will be examined.
The historic, economic, social and political roles of legal and illegal drugs; their contribution to crime of many kinds, accidents, and impacts on the criminal justice system; production and distribution systems; efforts to combat; decriminalization, prevention and treatment.
An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics and data analysis for use in criminal justice and the social sciences. Prerequisite: WSU Math Competency.
Critical Legal Studies comprehends the development and application of the criminal law and criminal justice institutions in the United States from a critical perspective. The course begins with a short review of slavery and race, civil rights and civil liberties, and the transformation of legal thought in America. Readings provide a perspective for how the criminal law and justice system are used to bolster the lives of the affluent classes while remaining oblivious or acting as a detriment to the lives of disadvantaged, underrepresented and marginalized members of society. The course concludes with readings that provide an understanding for the meaning of justice, the role of the law in fostering a more just society, and the legal tools available to the advocate of social change to propose changes through legal reform.
Causes and prevention of white collar, organized crime, gangs and other current interest topics selected by the instructor. May be taken multiple times under new topic.
Critically exams case law and statutes dealing with arrest, search and seizure and liability concerns for officers in this area.
Basic principles for forensic experts (reporting, testimony, etc.) and physical methods for evidence analysis including microscopy and pattern recovery and analysis. Prerequisite: CJ 2340 and either CHEM 1120 or CHEM 1220; or instructor approval.
Legal and scientific methodology behind detection, identification, development, recovery, preservation, analysis and comparison of fingerprints. Prerequisites: CJ 4110 or instructor approval.
Topics in forensic instrumentation, trace evidence, pattern evidence, biological and chemical evidence. Prerequisite: CJ 4110 or instructor approval.
This course critically examines the 5th and 6th Amendments to the United States Constitution, emphasizing the right to counsel, right to silence and right against self-incrimination. It examines citizens rights and officer's responsibility and liability in connection with those rights.
Critically examines selected criminal justice ethical issues such as capital punishment, official corruption, use of deadly force, discretion and deception by the police. Prerequisite: CJ SS1010.
An introduction to the history of America's law enforcement organizations, stressing the development, community issues, and organizational designs. The early leaders in policing and the early crime problems in America will be discussed and studied. From slave patrols prior to the Civil War to the U.S. Marshals of the old west, police development issues will be presented.
Compares United States criminal justice system with other international systems from throughout the world. Prerequisite: CJ SS1010.
This number is used for newly developed experimental courses.
Assigned reading or project with evaluation by faculty member. Requires approval of the Department Chair.
Field experience with city, county, and state criminal justice agencies. Registration is by permission of the instructor. Students may take this course for a combined total of six (6) credit hours, with consent of instructor.
In-depth study of current theoretical issues in criminal justice. Specific offering will be identified by name and will be listed on student's transcript with authorized credit. May be taken multiple times under new topic.
(See CJ 2920 for description.)
Designed to provide students with access to both national and international law enforcement agencies, prisons, detention centers, courts and institutions dealing with criminals and delinquents - male and female. Field trips include 2-3 weeks of intense instruction and then 3-5 days of on-site visits, interviews, and lectures by practitioners in the field. Course may be repeated for a total of six (6) hours of criminal justice credit. Additional hours will be counted toward 120 elective hours of study.
Emphasis on the practical application of basic research practices to law enforcement and corrections problems. Prerequisites: CJ SS1010, either CJ SI3600 or SOC SI3600 or PSY SI3600 or GERT SI3600, and junior or senior standing.
An in-depth exploration of selected issues and dilemmas surrounding the criminal justice field. Prerequisites: CJ SS1010, and senior standing.
Weber State University 2008-2009 Catalog