Criminology/Criminal Justice

This course examines crime and criminals with a particular emphasis on what actions society can or should take regarding crime and criminals. Explains why and how crime occurs and how this knowledge can guide governmental and legislative policy development. Factors that contribute to crime, the social reactions to crime, and the policies presently in place to combat crime will be examined. The focus will be on crime theories and perspectives.

This course provides students with a basic understanding of how the American criminal justice system functions. The American criminal justice system includes law enforcement agencies (police, sheriff, state law enforcement agents, FBI, CIA, DEA, ATF), the courts, and the corrections agencies (prisons and jails.)

A consideration of human behavior and how it relates to the duties and responsibilities of the criminal justice practitioner.

Goals and rationale for criminal justice training in hostage and barricade subject intervention. Comparisons will be made among the different approaches to these situations, such as assault sniper fire and containing and negotiating. The complexity of the criminal justice role and the stress involved will be discussed.

(Offered fall, spring, and summer). This introductory course will examine research strategies, data collection, and data analysis in the investigation of questions which arise in criminology and criminal justice. Particular focus will be placed on understanding the role, theory, and functions of the research process for criminal justice professionals.

1-3 crs. Cooperative Education courses may be taken toward completion of most of the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degree programs. A maximum of six credit hours may be used in meeting the A.A. degree requirements. Prerequisite: Minimum of 2.0 GPA, meet with the co-op coordinator, and availability of co-op work experience slot. Supervised, practical work experience that seeks to combine theories and apply practical skills to projects in the student?s major field of study. Requirements include online weekly, mid-term, and end-of-term reflection assignments.