MWCC College Catalog 2008-2009 — Criminal Justice
See additional criminal justice related courses in the listing of Sociology course descriptions: SOC129; SOC208; SOC210; SOC212.
CJU131 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE
3 credits
Students survey the criminal justice system in the United States including
its main components: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Special emphasis
is placed on the sequence of events and decision points within the system
as well as historical and societal influences. The functions of federal, state,
county, and local agencies are examined. A brief overview of the juvenile
system is included. Prerequisites: ENG100, RDG100 or placement. This course
should be taken during a student’s first semester as a Criminal Justice
major. Fall and spring.
CJU133 CRIMINAL LAW
3 credits
This course studies the nature, aims, purposes, and principles of criminal
law, including both the general and specific parts of the law of crimes.
Emphasis is placed on critical analysis of specific elements, rules, doctrines,
and defenses. Students actively participate by applying knowledge of laws
and doctrines to actual cases through written and oral exercises. Prerequisites:
ENG100, RDG100, or placement. Fall.
CJU134 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
3 credits
In this course, emphasis is placed on the constitutional authority to apply
the process of enforcement of the law. Attention is given to admissibility
of evidence used to convict. Through case study,
procedural matters affecting the criminal justice system such as arrest,
search and seizure, warrants, admissions, stop and frisk, and identification,
pretrial proceedings, conviction, and post-conviction processes are examined.
Prerequisites: ENG100, RDG100, or placement. Spring.
CJU140 AMERICAN POLICING
3 credits
This course provides the criminal justice student with an in-depth understanding of the history, development and philosophy of American policing. Students survey the roles, operation, procedures and organizational structure used in modern law enforcement. Attention is given to ethical practices, police interaction with diverse cultures, and the importance of communication. The course emphasizes patrol and community as the mainstay of policing. Current problems, recent innovations and law enforcement as a lifelong career are included topics. Prerequisites: ENG100, RDG100, or placement. Spring.
CJU220 TECHNICAL WRITING FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONAL
1 credit
This course is designed to develop the technical writing skills of students intending to become criminal justice practitioners. Students develop the written communications skills needed to prepare to write research papers, reports, and accurately document legal and investigative materials, as well as other types of written communications commonly used by the major agencies within the criminal justice profession. This course will meet three hours weekly for five weeks. Prerequisite: ENG101. Fall.
CJU232 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY
3 credits
Students will explore patterns of adult criminal and juvenile delinquent behavior through the examination of theories from a biological, psychological, and sociological perspective. The concept of crime as a social problem and efforts to measure the nature and extent of crime will be examined. Typologies of crime are studied, and schools of thought and various approaches to crime causation will be considered. Prerequisite: SOC103. Spring.
CJU233 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
3 credits
This course examines the science and art of criminal investigation. Crime science and its specialized procedures and techniques related to physical evidence, interviews, rules of evidence, the investigator as a witness, and the investigative process to include follow-up investigations will be examined. Cases may be included to illustrate the investigative process. Practical application of selected laboratory procedures may be included. Prerequisite: CJU134 or permission of the division dean. Fall.
CJU250 INTRODUCTION TO CORRECTIONS
3 credits
This course surveys the historical, political, legal, and sociological aspects
of the United States correctional system. Students examine differing philosophies
and purposes of punishment, particularly as they impact correctional policy
and practice. Emphasis is on studying various types of offenders within the
system, and understanding major issues regarding contemporary methods of
handling criminal offenders. Prerequisite: CJU131. Fall.
CJU252 INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
3 credits
This field experience involves extensive observation of and interaction in selected agencies. Placements include police departments, courts, probation, juvenile services, parole, correctional facilities, training academies, and related areas such as residential treatment programs. Students obtain a basic knowledge and understanding of the practical aspects of criminal justice through participation. One seminar hour and nine hours of field experience per week are required. A consideration for placement will be the student’s appropriate qualifications in relationship to a specific agency. Prerequisites: completion of at least two criminal justice courses, sophomore status, and permission of instructor or division dean.
CJU254 COUNSELING AND REHABILITATION OF THE OFFENDER
3 credits
This course acquaints the student with current views on treatment of the criminal offender. Students will survey modes of treatment such as cognitive, family, and group therapies, study assessment of individual needs, and examine selected contemporary programs. Special emphasis will be on the involuntary and resistant client, including techniques in counseling. Issues examined include the security/treatment dilemma, ethics, confidentiality, behavior change, and reintegration. Prerequisites: PSY105 and either CJU131, CJU250 or CJU232, or permission of the instructor. Fall.
CJU255 SEMINAR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
3 credits
In this capstone course, students analyze and articulate contemporary themes
in order to demonstrate their mastery of the content of completed required
courses within the degree. Students are required to read selected materials
and analyze key topics in a seminar format. Students develop and prepare
a major analytical research paper and conduct a seminar for fellow students.
Students must complete this course with a minimum grade of C- in order to
graduate. This course should be taken in the semester immediately preceding
graduation. Prerequisites: completion of all required criminal justice courses,
or one to two concurrently, or permission of instructor. Spring.
CJU260 PROBATION, PAROLE, AND COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
3 credits
Students study the development, organization, and functions of probation, parole, and community-based correctional programs such as house arrest, day reporting, community service, and victim restitution. Topics include sentencing structure and decision-making, the presentence investigation report, levels of supervision, terms and conditions, treatment needs of offenders, and the revocation process. Prerequisite: CJU131; CJU250 recommended. Spring.