Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice
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Major in Political Science |
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The Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice offers courses leading to both the Bachelor of Arts degree and the Bachelor of Science degree. Majors include criminal justice, political science, and a political science pre-law concentration. Minors are available in criminal justice and political science.
Political Science majors have the option of selecting from three degree programs: a Bachelor of Arts (AB), a Bachelor of Science (BS) or a pre-law concentration culminating in a BS degree. The traditional political science degree provides a well-rounded background in the discipline as well as enabling students to focus on areas of interest to them. The department is particularly strong in American political institutions (presidency, Congress, and courts), public administration, constitutional law, international relations, and Asian and Western European politics. Students can choose an AB degree that requires an additional course in a modern foreign language or a BS degree that substitutes a course in computer science. The pre-law concentration is designed to prepare students for a legal career by developing the skills needed to succeed in law school. It is an intensive program, with courses in topics like civil liberties and judicial processes, that concludes with an internship experience working for an attorney or in a legal agency.
The Criminal Justice Program reflects the growing academic emphasis of the discipline. Criminal Justice is not a narrow technical or vocational discipline. It is a social science discipline focusing on the complexities of human behavior. The curriculum of the major provides a broad conceptual framework of the discipline. The program seeks to develop leaders in the field who are able to integrate and augment the knowledge of the discipline.
BACHELOR OF ARTS OR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Core Curriculum Requirements 60 hours
All baccalaureate degree programs at NGCSU have as a requirement the satisfactory completion of at least 60 semester credit hours comprising the six areas of the core curriculum. A complete description of Areas A-E of the core curriculum can be found on page 80. Individual degree programs may specify exceptions and/or particular courses which must be taken within each Area A-E of the core curriculum. Those exceptions and/or course requirements, and Area F of the core curriculum are shown below.
| Area A | no exceptions |
| Area B | no exceptions |
| Area C | no exceptions |
| Area D | no exceptions |
| Area E | Political Science majors should not take POLS 1101 or ECON 2105 in Area E. These courses must be taken in Area F. |
Area F. Courses Related To The Area Of Study - 18 hours
| POLS 1101 | 3 hours |
| POLS 2101 | 3 hours |
| POLS 2401 | 3 hours |
| ECON 2105 | 3 hours |
| Language 1002 | 3 hours |
Language (required for B.A.), 2001 or 2002 or (option for B.S.) 3 hours
computer science course work 3 hours
MAJOR AREA -
1. Required Courses - (9 hours)
SOSC 3301 3 hours
SOSC 3302 3 hours
POLS 4470 3 hours
2. One course in Political Science from 3100 or 4100 series. 3 hours (American Politics)
3. One course in Political Science from 4200 series. 3 hours (International Relations)
4. One course in Political Science 4300 series. 3 hours (Political Theory)
5. Major electives (12 hours)
Any four upper level Political Science courses*
*Only 3 hours of an internship can be used to fulfill credit hour require ments in the major area. The remaining hours are considered as electives.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Courses in the minor 15-18 credit hours prescribed by the minor department. A minor should be chosen on the basis of its appropriateness to a student's scholarly interests and career goals and after consultation with the major advisor. Any field may be used to fulfill the minor requirements, but the following are recommended: English, history, foreign language, psychology, sociology, criminal justice.
Electives 12-15 credit hours to bring the total number of credit hours to at least 120 hours, exclusive of physical education requirement.
Basic Physical Education Requirement
Military Science Requirement (for military students)
U.S. & Georgia Constitution and History Requirements
Regents' Test (see page 73)
Concentration in Political
Science/Pre-Law
Bachelor of Science
Core Curriculum Requirements 60 hours
All baccalaureate degree programs at NGCSU have as a requirement the satisfactory
completion of at least 60 semester credit hours comprising the six areas of
the Core Curriculum. A complete description of Areas A-E of the core curriculum
can be found on page 80. Individual degree programs may specify exceptions and/or
particular courses which must be taken within each Area A-E of the core curriculum.
Those exceptions and/or course requirements, and Area F of the core curriculum
are shown below.
Area A no exceptions
Area B no exceptions
Area C no exceptions
Area D no exceptions
Area E -Political Science majors with a pre-law concentration should not take POLS 1101 in Area E. This course is required in Area F.
Area F: Courses Related To The Area Of Study - 18 hours
POLS 1101- 3 hours
POLS 2101- 3 hours
POLS 2401- 3 hours
ACCT 2101- 3 hours
CRJU 1100- 3 hours
Language 1002- 3 hours
MAJOR AREA
1. Required Courses (33 hours)
SOSC 3301- 3 hours
SOSC 3302- 3 hours
POLS 4112- 3 hours
POLS 3105 or 3120- 3 hours
CRJU 3010 -3 hours
ENGL 3050 or ENGL 3100 -3 hours
3000 - 4000 English course 3 hours
POLS 4470 3 hours
POLS 4485c 9 hours
2. One course in Political Science from 3100 or 4100 series. 3 hours (American Politics)
3. One course in Political Science from 4200 series. 3 hours (International relations)
4. One course in Political Science from 4300 series. 3 hours (Political Theory)
5. Major electives (6 hours)
Two of the following Political Science courses not taken in upper-level subfields
POLS 4302, 4206, 4110, 4330, 4151, or 4480
Electives: 12 credit hours to bring the total number of credit hours to at least 120 hours, exclusive of basic physical education requirement.
Basic Physical Education Requirements
Military Science Requirements (for military students)
U.S. & Georgia Constitution and History Requirement
Regents' Test (see page 73)
MAJOR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
Core Curriculum Requirements 60 hours
All baccalaureate degree programs at NGCSU have as a requirement the satisfactory completion of at least 60 semester credit hours comprising the six areas of the core curriculum. A complete description of Areas A-E of the core curriculum can be found on page 80. Individual degree programs may specify exceptions and/or particular courses which must be taken within each Area A-E of the core curriculum. Those exceptions and/or course requirements, and Area F of the core curriculum are shown below.
Area A no exceptions
Area B no exceptions
Area C no exceptions
Area D no exceptions
Area E Criminal Justice majors should not take POLS 1101 in Area E.
This course is required in Area F.
Area F: Courses Related To The Area Of Study 18 hours
CRJU 1100 3 hours
CRJU 2001 3 hours
CRJU 2002 3 hours
SPAN 1002 or CSCI 1100 and CSCI 1150 3 hours
SOSC 1160 3 hours
POLS 1101 3 hours
MAJOR AREA
1. Required Courses (21 Hours)
SOSC 3301 3 hours
SOSC 3302 3 hours
CRJU 3000, 3010, 3310, 3311 & 3312 15 hours
2. Field of Specialization (18 hours)
Students must take six 4000-level Criminal Justice or Social Science courses. Students, through consultation with their academic advisor, should develop a concentration in one or more of the five areas of spe- cialization offered by the program (police, corrections, courts, behavior, or general).
3. Internship (12 hours)
CRJU 4850c 12 hours
4. Electives (9 hours)
Nine credit hours to bring the total number of credit hours to at least 120 hours, exclusive of physical education requirement.
Basic Physical Education Requirement:
Military Science Requirement (for military students):
U.S. & Georgia Constitution and History Requirement
Regents' Test (see page 73)
Minor in Political Science
Students must take 15 hours of political science course work beyond POLS 1101. At least 9 hours must be from upper division courses.
Minor in Criminal Justice
Students must take CRJU 1100 and 15 hours of criminal justice or social science course work. At least 9 hours must be from upper division courses.
Political Science 1101 is a prerequisite for all other political science courses except Political Science 1101H and Political Science 2401.
POLS 1101 American Government- 3 hours
An intensive examination of the Constitution and the three governmental divisions.
The course includes a study of the national government in its relation to the
states. Examples from the government of Georgia are included.
POLS 1101H American Government, Honors- 3 hours
An intensive examination of the Constitution and the three governmental divisions.
The course includes a study of the national government in its relations to the
states. Examples from the government of Georgia are included. The course incorporates
the academic standards maintained by the honors program.
POLS 2101 Introduction to Political Science- 3 hours
The purposes of this course are to define the discipline of political science,
and to study political systems and their environments, political inputs, governmental
structures, governmental authorities and processes and policy outputs and impacts.
POLS 2401 Global Issues- 3 hours
An analysis of the basic forces which govern the behavior of nations in their
relations with one another. This study of world power conflicts, diplomacy and
international cooperation is designed to acquaint the student with the basic
issues and areas of conflict among the nation-states of the contemporary world.
POLS 3105 American Constitutional Law -3 hours
An examination of the development and nature of the American constitutional
system through Supreme Court cases defining interrelationships of the executive,
judicial and legislative branches and the relationships of the states to the
national government.
POLS 3106 State and Local Government- 3 hours
An examination of the organization and functions of the state and its political
subdivisions. Wherever possible, the state government of Georgia will be studied
for illustrative purposes.
POLS 3122 Political Parties and Elections- 3 hours
A study of U.S. political parties, including their development, functions, and
significance as democratic institutions and policy making instruments. The election
process and voter behavior are also examined.
POLS 3123 The Road to the White House -3 hours
This course covers the presidential selection and election processes, raising
several theoretical questions about elections and examining the empirical evidence
available to answer those questions. In particular, the issues of campaign finance,
media coverage, and candidate selection will be covered.
POLS 3124 The Road to the Congress 3 hours
This course covers congressional elections, exploring theoretical questions
about the process and examining the empirical evidence available to answer those
questions. In particular, roles of political parties, interest groups, and electoral
rules are among the major items examined in the course.
POLS 3201 Introduction to the European Union 3 hours
The purpose of this course is to introduce the European Union (EU) from a multidisciplinary
perspective. Aside from substantive knowledge about the EU, students will be
challenged to sharpen writing, analytical, and oral communication skills.
POLS 3203 East Asia Political Systems 3 hours
This course is an introduction to the political systems of East Asia. In this
course, students will become acquainted with the domestic politics of many states
in East Asia.
POLS 3302 Political Socialization and Public Opinion 3 hours
Recommended for students in the secondary education program. A survey of political
socialization, the process through which a citizen acquires knowledge, opinions,
and behavior about politics and government. The course explains how public opinion
develops and evaluates whether public opinion influences public policy.
POLS 3310 American Political Theory 3 hours
An analysis of the ideas underlying government and politics in the United States
through a survey of American political thought from colonial times to the present.
POLS 3315 Political Philosophy 3 hours
An analysis of ideas of selected Western political philosophies from Plato to
modern political philosophers. Most readings will be taken directly from each
philosopher's writings.
POLS 3333 Religion and Politics 3 hours
The course is designed to analyze the way religion and politics influence one
another. The course presents a history of religion in America, outlines the
major religious traditions and investigates how religious beliefs motivate individual
political behavior.
POLS 3350 Contemporary Political Problems 3 hours
An examination of the major political issues and controversies which are current
in domestic and/or world affairs. The course is designed to analyze both the
nature of a problem as well as its importance to the political order.
POLS 3505 Model United Nations 3 hours
This course will work in conjunction with a student's participation in the NGCSU
Model UN team. In this course, students will be introduced to structures within
the United Nations, basics of parliamentary procedure, and how particular countries
articulate their viewpoints as delegates to the United Nations. Enrollment in
this course is only by permission of instructor.
POLS 4104 Public Administration 3 hours
An analysis of the theory, basic principles, and practices of public administration
in the United States through a study of organization, management, budgeting,
personnel, administrative leadership, and characteristics of modern bureaucracies.
POLS 4110 Congress 3 hours
This course covers the United States Congress as an institution and explores
its evolution and its place in the political process.
POLS 4111 American Presidency 3 hours
An analysis of the role and function of the American presidency, from both a
historical and analytical perspective.
POLS 4112 Judicial Processes 3 hours
Cross-listed as CRJU 4412. A systematic study of the judicial system and its
role in the administration of justice.
POLS 4113 The Legislative Process 3 hours
This course examines the formulation and implementation of legislation and how
the structure and dynamics of political institutions affect it. The focus is
on how executives and legislatures cooperate and conflict in shaping policy.
POLS 4120 Civil Liberties 3 hours
An analysis of the case law surrounding the constitutional guarantees of the
personal and social freedoms derived from the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth
Amendment.
POLS 4151 Legal Research and Moot Court 3 hours
An introduction to legal research, analysis, and writing. The course will culminate
with a simulated courtroom exercise.
POLS 4201 Comparative Government 3 hours
A study of universal political principles and an application of these principles
to the study of political systems on a comparative basis.
POLS 4202 Comparative Security Issues 3 hours
This course is designed as an examination of both traditional and non-traditional
security concerns. Issues such as military security, environmental security,
and resource security will be covered.
POLS 4203 Korea in the World System 3 hours
The purpose of this course is to introduce the advanced student of politics
to the factors that led the South Korea's adoption of democracy, as well as
the post-Cold War foreign policy initiatives of South Korea that were a result
of the new found legitimacy of the democratic government.
POLS 4204 International Political Economy 3 hours
This course is an introduction to the major theories of international political
economy. International Political Economy (IPE) examines the mix between government
involvement in the economy and economic influence in governmental affairs. Historically,
the role of government involvement has ranged from complete control over the
economy, as in centrally planned economics, to mercantilist states where economic
interests drive governmental policy.
POLS 4205 Eastern European Politics 3 hours
This course provides a brief history of the entire area, an in-depth study of
Eastern Europe's geographical location between the two traditionally ambitious
countries of Russia and Germany and its consequences and a study of nationalism
and its effects. An examination of the differences between Slovophilies and
Westerners in Russian politics, a study of communism, and a look at the disintegration
of the Soviet Union.
POLS 4206 Russian Foreign Policy 3 hours
This course is designed to enable the student to understand the nature of foreign
policy in general and Russian foreign policy in particular. The topic will be
taught from the point of view that Soviet foreign policy was a continuation
of foreign policy goals of pre-Bolshevik Russia.
POLS 4207 Politics of Western Europe 3 hours
A study of the politics and governing institutions of the principal nations
in Western Europe, including an examination of the role of the European Union.
POLS 4220 Spies and Statecraft 3 hours
A study of the organization of the U.S. Intelligence. Community and selected
other national intelligence services, including the People Republic of China,
Russia, and Israel.
POLS 4302 Twentieth Century Political Theory 3 hours
An analysis of modern political thought with an emphasis upon the doctrines
of nationalism, national socialism, communism, and capitalism.
POLS 4330 Public Policy 3 hours
An analysis of major policy decisions and the impact of these decisions on the
American political system.
POLS 4390 Ethics in Government 3 hours
The nature of politics that necessitates coalition-building, bargaining, and
compromise seems to train political actors to skirt ethnical issues, often spilling
over into acts of self-aggrandizing behavior and breaches of public trust. This
course will present philosophies, models, and analytical approaches to ethics
that will help future politicians and public servants to identify ethical problems,
to address them methodically, and avoid scandalous incidents, and to provide
sound forms of public service.
POLS 4410 Seminar in American Political Institutions 3 hours
This is the senior course in the American Politics concentration. It provides
an analytic survey of the major institutions of the American political system.
It is designed to focus on the theoretical and empirical work of many of the
major political scientists in the American politics subfield. The objective
of this course is to familiarize students with the research of these political
scientists and to promote intensive reading, writing, and research in this field
on the part of students.
POLS 4444 Terrorism and Political Violence 3 hours
An examination of the evolution of terrorism and political violence with emphasis
on the new dimensions of terrorism and the risks to U.S. national security interests,
topics covered will include: weapons of mass destruction, information-based
terrorism, homeland defense, and terrorism as a transnational phenomenon.
POLS 4470 Senior Seminar in Political Science (W) (O) 3 hours
This course is a capstone experience for political science majors. The course
provides an analytic survey of the subfields within the discipline and involves
intensive reading, research, and writing on the part of students.
POLS 4480 Independent Study in Political Science 3 hours
A supervised research project under the guidance of a member of the political
science faculty. The topic will be selected with approval of the instructor.
The purpose of the course is to enable students the opportunity either to pursue
more detailed study of the content of a prior course or to analyze a topic not
currently covered in the political science curriculum.
POLS 4485a Internship in Political Science 3 hours
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. 3 hours of internship can be used toward
fulfilling the major requirement in Political Science.
POLS 4485b Internship in Political Science 6 hours
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. 3 hours of internship can be used toward
fulfilling the major requirement in Political Science.
POLS 4485c Internship in Political Science 9 hours
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. 3 hours of internship can be used toward
fulfilling the major requirement in Political Science.
POLS 4590 Special Topics in Political Science 3 hours
The topic of this course will vary depending on timeliness and on instructor
and student interest.
Criminal Justice 1100 is a prerequisite to all upper-level Criminal Justice courses.
CRJU 1100 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 hours
This course is a general overview of the American criminal justice system. The
system is composed of several relatively separate institutions which contribute
to the process as a whole. Each of the major divisions (police, courts, and
corrections) will be examined for its contributions, assumptions, and interrelations.
CRJU 2001 History of Criminal Justice 3 hours
This course is a historical overview of the development of the concept of criminal
justice in Western civilization and the United States. The course will concentrate
on the ideas and philosophies that shaped our culture and attitudes toward crime
and law.
CRJU 2002 Introduction to Law Enforcement 3 hours
This course will introduce the student to issues and concepts associated with
American policing. The purpose of the course is to discuss the characteristics
and operational missions of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Special emphasis is placed on historical influences and the conflicting roles
with which the profession has struggled.
CRJU 3000 Criminal Law 3 hours
This course examines both the substantive criminal law and the procedures for
its implementation. It will concentrate on the historical developments and contemporary
forms of criminal definitions. This course will also deal with the more abstract
concepts of responsibility and limitations on prosecutions.
CRJU 3010 Criminal Procedure 3 hours
This course focuses on the fourth, fifth, sixth and 14th amendments to the U.S.
Constitution. Emphasis is on police searches and seizures as regulated by the
4th Amendment. Students will read opinions of the Supreme Court and discuss
the impact of those decisions on the balance between individual privacy and
societal interests.
CRJU 3310 Juvenile Justice 3 hours
This course is an overview of the juvenile justice system in America. It will
explore causation, processing, and rehabilitative programs in the juvenile justice
field from both historical and practical perspectives. Emphasis will also be
placed on ethical and legal issues that are relevant to the processing of juvenile
offenders.
CRJU 3311 Corrections 3 hours
This course acquaints students with the philosophy, processes, problems, and
issues in corrections, historically and in contemporary America.
CRJU 3312 Criminology 3 hours
This course explores criminological theory and its policy implications from
the late 18th century to the present. Emphasis is on social and social psychological
explanations of criminality, such as differential association, anomie, labeling
and social control.
CRJU 4000 Criminal Investigations 3 hours
This course introduces investigation methodology and includes the theory of
investigation as conducted at the scene of the crime, collection, and preservation
of evidence, the use of informants, techniques of surveillance, and presentation
of cases in court.
CRJU 4001 Police Problems and Practices 3 hours
The problems and conflicts of urban policing are explored through contemporary
scholarly research. Topics include police use of force, vehicle pursuits, corruption,
domestic violence, and community-oriented policing.
CRJU 4002 Crime and Drugs 3 hours
The course is to provide a basic orientation, conceptual framework, and technical
vocabulary for the study of illicit drugs. The course will introduce the subject
of drug abuse, estimate the extent of the problem, and examine the relationship
between drug use and crime. The course provides students with a proper grounding
in the pharmacological, sociological, and criminal dimensions of the drug problem.
The history of drug legislation in the United States, international and domestic
drug trafficking, and drug law enforcement are examined.
CRJU 4003 Police Administration and Management 3 hours
A study of the contemporary law enforcement agency and an analysis of its organization,
staffing, budgeting, control, coordination, planning and related processes.
CRJU 4004 Criminalistics 3 hours
An introduction to the problems and techniques of scientific investigations
in the criminal field. Emphasis will be placed on familiarizing the student
with the role of science and technology in modern law enforcement.
CRJU 4111 Evidence 3 hours
An intensive study and analysis of the rules of evidence as they apply to criminal
cases. Particular emphasis will be placed on burden of proof and hearsay evidence,
as well as the principles of exclusion and selection.
CRJU 4112 Judicial Processes 3 hours
Cross-listed as POLS 4112. A systematic study of the judicial system and its
role in the administration of justice.
CRJU 4151 Legal Research & Moot Court 3 hours
Cross-listed as POLS 4151. An introduction to legal research, analysis, and
writing. The course will culminate with a simulated courtroom exercise.
CRJU 4120 Civil Liberties 3 hours
An analysis of the case law surrounding the constitutional guarantees of the
personal and social freedoms derived from the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth
Amendment.
CRJU 4200 Alternatives to Incarceration 3 hours
Prerequisite, CRJU 3311. An exploration into historical and contemporary
approaches used in managing the offenders in lieu of places of incarceration.
The course examines the rationale for such alternatives, current applications,
issues and problems surrounding such programs, and their effectiveness in the
correctional process.
CRJU 4210 Advanced Studies in Corrections 3 hours
Prerequisite, CRJU 3311. Studies in institution-based treatment programs and
community based treatment for pre-trial and post-trial programs are examined.
Emphasis will be placed on the impact and operational aspects of these programs.
CRJU 4220 Spies and Statecraft 3 hours
A study of the organization of the U.S. Intelligence. Community and selected
other national intelligence services, including the People Republic of China,
Russia, and Israel.
CRJU 4250 Law & Society 3 hours
Cross-listed as SOSC 4250. The basic concepts and origins of the law are applied
to contemporary legal issues, such as capital punishment, minority issues, crimes
without victims, and the law as a weapon of social control.
CRJU 4300 Victimology 3 hours
An examination of the interrelationships between victims and offenders. Topics
include patterns of victimization, both historically and demographically. The
issues associated with governmental strategies for victim assistance and compensation
will also be examined.
CRJU 4310 Criminal Typologies 3 hours
This course examines the offender characteristics and behavioral patterns of
individuals who commit crimes of interpersonal violence and/or sexual assault.
Emphasis will be upon the motivational beliefs of the offenders, and how these
beliefs influence the manner in which they select victims and carry out their
attacks. The offenses of sexual homicide, mass murder, workplace violence, serial
rape, child molestation, armed robbery, and similar crimes will be the primary
focus of the research and discussion in this course.
CRJU 4320 Data Analysis 3 hours
Prerequisites, SOSC 3001 and 3002. Provides students with "hands-on"
experiences and understanding of computerized data analysis in the criminal
justice field. The course prepares students to integrate the principles learned
in research methods and statistics with computer technology in analyzing data
situations likely to be encountered in the research and planning sectors of
the criminal justice profession.
CRJU 4330 Occult Crime 3 hours
An examination of the claims that influence the law enforcement preoccupation
with occult crime, with particular emphasis on objectivists versus constructionists
orientations toward the study of this new model of criminality. Students develop
the skills to practice restraint, introspection, and critical analysis when
investigating activity that may be centered around deviate behavior related
to the occult.
CRJU 4340 Advanced Criminological Thought 3 hours
Prerequisite, CRJU 3312. This course focuses on modern criminological theory
from 1960 to the present. Emphasis will be on the radicals, the conservatives
and the integration of theories. Students will be expected to read the original
writings of leading criminologists. This course is taught in a seminar format
and recommended for upper-level students.
CRJU 4350 Family Violence 3 hours
Cross-listed as SOSC 4350. An interdisciplinary examination of the main areas
of family violence: spousal abuse, child abuse, sibling violence, etc. Research
in the field will be reviewed and factors related to causation and prevention.
CRJU 4400 Legal Liabilities of Criminal Justice Personnel 3 hours
An examination of the liability issues that confront criminal justice professionals
in the performance of their duties.
CRJU 4410 Future Trends in Crime 3 hours
This course will focus upon those factors and trends which affect and will continue
to affect crime and criminal justice agencies into the 21st century. The major
demographic trends discussed in this course include the aging of the American
population, the dwindling pool of the young, the increased role of women both
as criminals and as criminal justice personnel, and the growing ethnic and racial
diversity of society and criminal justice agencies. Economic, legal, and technological
trends of the future will also be examined.
CRJU 4444 Terrorism and Political Violence 3 hours
An examination of the evolution of terrorism and political violence with emphasis
on the new dimensions of terrorism and the risks to U.S. national security interests,
topics covered will include: weapons of mass destruction, information-based
terrorism, homeland defense, and terrorism as a transnational phenomenon.
CRJU 4500 Independent Study in Criminal Justice 3 hours
Independent study in criminology, penology, social problems, human relationships
and related topics.
CRJU 4850c Criminal Justice Internship (W) 12 hours
Students will be assigned to a law enforcement or related agency to work a minimum
of 320 hours. A student must have completed 18 hours of CRJU course work prior
to enrollment in this course. As part of the course requirements students will
prepare a "capstone" paper integrating their work and class experiences.
SOSC 3301 - Research Methods in the Social Sciences (W, O) 3 hours
Prerequisite, MATH 2400. This is an introductory research methods course whose
purpose is to familiarize students with the language, important concepts, and
processes of social science research. Students will acquire skills for understanding
and critiquing research, designing a research project, collecting and coding
data, and performing elementary computer data analysis.
SOSC 3302 - Statistics for the Social Sciences 3 hours
Prerequisite, SOSC 3301. The purpose of this course is to provide an intuitive
and computational orientation to the typical statistics that social science
professionals encounter. This course presents the foundations of descriptive
and inferential statistics, with a concentration on those specific procedures
likely to be utilized by practicing social scientists (e.g., causal models),
and a brief overview of multivariate techniques likely to be found in social
science publications and research reports. Students will acquire skills for
performing both elementary and advanced (computerized) statistical analysis,
as well as interpreting and presenting statistical results.
SOSC 4250 - Law and Society 3 hours
Cross-listed as CRJU 4250. The basic concepts and origins of the law are applied
to contemporary legal issues, such as capital punishment, minority issues, crimes
without victims, and the law as a weapon of social control.
SOSC 4350 - Family Violence 3 hours
Cross- listed as CRJU 4350. An interdisciplinary examination of the main areas
of family violence: spousal abuse, child abuse, sibling violence, etc. Research
in the field will be reviewed for factors related to causation and prevention.