DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE STUDIES

Dr. Darl H. Champion, Sr., Chair and
Director, Masters of Justice Administration Program

Overview: The purpose of the Justice Studies Program is to provide students with a systems orientation to the field of criminal justice and a holistic view of behavior, conditions, and circumstances that produce crime and criminality. Crime, criminality, and the criminal justice system are studied from a social science perspective. Students acquire a knowledge base and comprehensive understanding of criminological theory as it applies to the causation, prevention, control, and treatment of criminal behavior. Students are provided the opportunity to study the application of forensic science within the context of the investigative process. The Program provides students the opportunity to acquire the necessary skills in interpersonal communications, program and policy development, community organization, planning and research to function in a professional position in the field of criminal justice.

Type of degree(s) awarded: M.J.A., B.A., B.S., A.A.
 

Requirements for the major: 48 s.h. including JUS 241, 310, 320, 330, 420, 450, 470, SOC 309; Statistics (SOC 220 or PSY 250); SOC 151, PSY 101 and PSC 151 (All are prerequisite courses that must be completed before the junior year.); OCL 271, SOC 282, JUS 332; and any four courses with a JUS prefix.    All students must receive a grade of C (2.0) or higher in core and elective courses taken in the justice studies major. 

Requirements for a Concentration in Applied Forensic Science: Completion of the Justice Studies core requirements (all requirements listed above for the major except the four elective courses) plus PHI-212, JUS-242, JUS-389, JUS-390, JUS-396, JUS-397, JUS-401, JUS-410, JUS-415.

Requirements for a Concentration in Human Services:  Completion of the Justice Studies core requirements (all requirements listed above for the major except the four elective courses) plus JUS-311, JUS-321, JUS-382, SWK-231, SWK-315, SWK-340, SWK-350, PSY-341, PSY-330.

Requirements for the minor: 18 s.h. including JUS 241, JUS/SOC 309 and any other four courses from the above list of required courses with a JUS prefix.

Requirements for the AA Concentration: 18 s.h. including JUS 241, JUS/SOC 309 and any other four courses from the above list of required courses with a JUS prefix.

Residency: Students who major in Justice Studies must meet all the residency
requirements of the college. In addition, the student must take a minimum of 12 s.h. injustice studies courses (JUS) at Methodist College.
 

Prerequisite courses: PSC 151, PSY 101, and SOC 151
 

Writing-Enrichment Course: JUS 450
 

JUSTICE STUDIES COURSES:
 

JUS 241 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE                                                                           3 s.h.
A study of the American criminal justice system to include the history, philosophy,
responsibilities, and functions of the police, courts, and corrections components.
Emphasis is placed on role expectations and interrelationships of the various components and the need to promote professionalism through education, training, and ethical standards. Prerequisites: ENG 101 and SOC 151. This course is offered every fall and spring semester.
 

JUS 242 INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE                                                                          3 s.h.
This course provides a broad overview of the application of scientific principles to the
judicial process. Special attention is focused on the disciplines of Criminalistics,
Forensic Medicine, and Forensic Anthropology. Emphasis centers on the physical and biological aspects of physical evidence that lend themselves to the identification and comparison process and on the analytical scientific capabilities available to the criminal justice professional. Prerequisites: None. This course is offered every semester.
 

JUS 309 CRIMINOLOGY                                                                                                                 3 s.h.
The nature and types of delinquent and criminal behavior; the nature of the criminal and the crime; social, cultural, and psychological factors involved in illegal behavior; control and prevention; police, courts, probation, and correctional institutions. This course is offered every fall and spring semester.  Cross-listed as SOC 309.
 

JUS 310 LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM                                                                                        3 s.h.
From lynchings to landmark decisions, this course examines the traditions and historical development of the law in America, emphasizing the judicial process. Topics include the types and sources of law, the structure and functions of the state and federal court systems, civil and criminal law procedure, and judicial governance with special attention placed on the U.S. Supreme Court. This course is offered every spring semester. Cross listed as LAW 310 and PSC 310.
 

JUS 311 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY                                                                                                 3 s.h.
The nature and causes of juvenile delinquency, including individual, community, and
labeling theories with attention to such social responses as prevention programs, juvenile courts, probation, correctional institutions, and rehabilitation. Prerequisite: SOC 309 or consent of instructor. This course is offered every spring semester. Cross listed as SOC 311.
 

JUS 320 THE CORRECTIONAL PROCESS                                                                                       3 s.h.
A study of the post-conviction corrections process of the criminal justice system with a focus on the evolution of philosophies, programs, strategies, and policies. Emphasis will be placed on the current crisis in American corrections. This course is offered every fall semester.
 

JUS 321 ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION                                                                               3 s.h.
A study of the philosophy, theory, organization, and effectiveness of probation, parole, and community-based correction programs. Emphasis is placed on analyzing and evaluating the deinstitutionalization movement, community-based treatment centers, community service agencies, work release programs, and current trends in community corrections. Prerequisite: JUS 320 or consent of instructor. This course is offered every spring semester on even years.
 

JUS 330 POLICE IN AN URBAN SOCIETY                                                                                       3 s.h.
A study of the historic and current mission of the police in an urban society. Problems associated with law enforcement are evaluated from the perspective of the sociology of the urban sub-communities. Emphasis is placed on the police as an element within the criminal justice system and on innovative policing strategies. This course is offered every spring semester.
 

JUS 332 RESEARCH METHODS                                                                                                     3 s.h.
The scientific method, research design, including single systems design and program evaluation, data-gathering techniques, and data analysis. The student will develop and conduct an original research project. Prerequisites: Statistics. This course is offered every fall semester. Cross-listed as SOC 332.
 

JUS 333 GIS APPLICATION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT                                                                     3 s.h.
Understand why and how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are used in law enforcement. Learn how to critique and manipulate data to solve or illustrate problems using a GIS program. Emphasize the production of layouts that convey a clear message to the intended audience. Review ethical and implementation problems. Prerequisites: None. This course is offered only at night in the fall semester.
 

JUS 382 WOMEN AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM                                                               3 s.h.
This course provides students with a survey of the variety of ways in which females come into contact with the criminal justice system, looking at women as victims, as offenders, as prisoners, and as professionals working in the criminal justice system. Historically, the study of criminal justice has focused on male offending and deviant behavior. This course will examine the distribution of crimes affecting women, how female offenders differ from male offenders, survey the historical development of theories that explain or have not explained female offenders, and how the criminal justice system deals with female offenders.  The focus throughout this course will be on special issues and special problems associated with adult and juvenile females and the criminal justice system and how these contrast with the experiences of males in the criminal justice system. Students should note this is a writing intensive class. Prerequisites: JUS 241, SOC 151, JUS 309, SOC 309 or permission of the instructor. This course is offered every fall semester odd years.
 

JUS 389 CRIMINAL EVIDENCE AND PROCEDURE                                                                           3 s.h.
This course is a study of criminal law and is applied to various theories of criminal evidence so that the criminal justice practitioner or law enforcement agent will understand the various issues facing prosecutors in courts. Emphasis is placed on handling evidence during a criminal investigation and/or forensic analysis so as to conform to current legal principles governing the handling of evidence. Prerequisites: JUS/PSC/LAW 310 or permission of instructor. This course is offered every spring semester.
 

JUS 390 VICTIMOLOGY                                                                                                                 3 s.h.
The course will examine the multifaceted problems of criminal victimization. Special emphasis will be placed on definitions of victimization, characteristics of victims, treatment of victims in the criminal justice system, and efforts designed to alleviate the consequences of victimization. The role of victimology in the conduct of criminal investigations will be reviewed. Prerequisites: JUS-309 or permission of the instructor. This course is offered every spring semester.
 

JUS 396 CRIMINAL PROFILING                                                                                                      3 s.h.
The course introduces the student to a general overview of the various typologies and classification models by which offenders are profiled. Past and present profiling models are reviewed with an emphasis on the emerging scientific field of investigative psychology. Various examples of crime scenes will be studied for the purpose of understanding how investigators utilize information and evidence obtained from the crime scenes to create a profile of the offender. Prerequisites: JUS 309 or permission of instructor. This course is offered every fall semester  and in the summer semester online.

JUS 397 CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION                                                                                        3 s.h.
A course designed for specialized forensic training for students interested in the forensic science concentration and justice studies major. The student will conduct hands-on training in a laboratory setting with state-of-the-art alternate light sources, imaging devices, fingerprint developing techniques, and other forensic science devices and instruments.  The student will be provided an overview of impression evidence, evidence collection, and crime scene processing. An off-campus trip to the State Bureau of Investigation Laboratory
will be planned during the semester. This course will be offered each spring semester.

JUS 401 THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS                                                                                        3 s.h.
A study of the criminal investigative process to include the application of criminalistics, forensic medicine, and the behavioral sciences to the successful solution of criminal cases. Emphasis is placed on the application of the scientific method to the investigative process. Prerequisite: JUS 241 or permission of instructor. This course is offered every semester.
 

JUS 404 POLICE AND THE LAW                                                                                                     3 s.h.
A study of the laws of arrest, search and seizure, and confessions; legal aspects of entrapment; legal constraints of deadly force; and other legal issues affecting police.  Emphasis is placed on the case study approach and analytical reasoning. Prerequisite: JUS 241 or permission of instructor. This course is offered every spring semester on even years. This course is offered every fall of odd years.
 

JUS 410 MEDICOLEGAL INVESTIGATION OF DEATH                                                                     3 s.h.
A study of the legal and forensic concepts and procedures for the medico-legal investigation of death due to natural, accidental, suicidal or criminal reasons. Special emphasis will be placed on use of anatomy and medical terminology, death investigation techniques, and various causes of death. Prerequisites: JUS 401 or permission of instructor. This course is offered every spring semester and every summer online.
 

JUS 415 FORENSIC FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION                                                                         3 s.h.
A specialized forensic science course designed for students interested in a forensic science concentration and justice studies major. This course is designed to provide the student an overview of how firearms and ammunition differ by design, manufacturer, load, and caliber, and how the design impacts lethality, wound pattern, and deposition of forensic evidence.  Students will be exposed to real firearms of different calibers and will be allowed to attend a firearms range with an emphasis on studying different effects of different caliber
weapons. This course will be offered each fall semester.

JUS 420 ETHICAL FOUNDATIONS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE                                                             3 s.h.
A study of the basic concepts, arguments, and methods of ethics as they apply to those who work in the field of criminal justice. Students will be introduced to the classic theories of normative ethics. Emphasis is placed on the case study approach and ethical decision-making. Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the instructor. This course is offered every fall semester. Cross-listed as PHI 420.
 

JUS 425-435 SPECIAL TOPICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE                                                                   3 s.h.
Courses will be offered, as needed, in areas of special interest such as forensic science, crime prevention, criminal justice administration, organized crime, judicial process, private security, and criminal justice planning. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.

JUS 450 SEMINAR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE                                                                                      3 s.h.
Senior level course focusing on a critical evaluation of policies and programs in the criminal justice system. Emphasis is placed on the preparation of a senior research paper with Power-Point presentation. Day students must take this course during the day program. Prerequisites: JUS 241, JUS/SOC 309, (SOC 220, MAT 220, or PSY 250), SOC 282, and JUS/SOC 332. This course is offered every fall and spring semester.
 

JUS-455 TERRORISM AND THE HOMELAND SECURITY RESPONSE                                               3 s.h.
A study of the terrorist threat in America and the creation of the Office of Homeland Security to address that threat. Emphasis will be placed on examining the attack on September 11, 2001 and the government’s response via creation of the Office of Homeland Security. The nature of the terrorist threat, organization of the Office of Homeland Security, risk assessment models, and special programs and legislation created to address the terrorist threat will be discussed. Prerequisites: None. This course is offered in the spring semester of even years. Cross-listed with ENM-455.

JUS 470 INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE                                                                                 3 s.h.
Experiential learning in an approved criminal justice agency for supervised practical experience through a ten-week placement at a criminal justice agency. The student is assigned duties and responsibilities approved by the faculty member and on-site supervisor. Minimum requirement of 120 hours in the field agency and participation in a weekly seminar. Supervision and evaluation is conducted by the faculty member and the on-site professional. Written reports and evaluations are required at the completion of the internship. Students must apply for the internship during pre-registration prior to taking the course. Prerequisites: senior standing and permission of department chair. This course is offered every fall, spring, and summer semester.

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