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Courses - Fall 2023
CCJS
Criminology and Criminal Justice Department Site
CCJS100
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHS
Introduction to the administration of criminal justice in a democratic society, with emphasis on the theoretical and historical development of law enforcement. The principles of organization and administration for law enforcement; functions and specific activities; planning and research; public relations; personnel and training; inspection and control; direction; policy formulation.
CCJS105
Introduction to Criminology
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHS
Criminal behavior and the methods of its study; causation; typologies of criminal acts and offenders; punishment, correction and incapacitation; prevention of crime.
CCJS200
(Perm Req)
Statistics for Criminology and Criminal Justice
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: FSAR
Prerequisite: CCJS100 or CCJS105; and 1 course with a minimum grade of C- from (STAT100, MATH107, MATH111, MATH120, MATH130, MATH135, MATH140).
Restriction: Must be in Criminology and Criminal Justice program; or permission of BSOS-Criminology & Criminal Justice department.
Introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics, graphical techniques, and the computer analysis of criminology and criminal justice data. Basic procedures of hypothesis testing, correlation and regression analysis, and the analysis of continuous and binary dependent variables. Emphasis upon the examination of research problems and issues in criminology and criminal justice.
CCJS225
Responses to Violence
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHS or DSSP, SCIS
What are the dimensions of violence in the United States and worldwide, and how has humanity responded to violence? Conflict is unfortunately resolved through violence in a number of settings. It ranges from interpersonal to international in its scope. This course investigates the strengths and weaknesses of a number of resolutions to reducing violence over the course of history using both state centered and informal control.
CCJS230
(Perm Req)
Criminal Law in Action
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS100.
Law as one of the methods of social control. Criminal law: its nature, sources and types; theories and historical developments. Behavioral and legal aspects of criminal acts. Classification and analysis of selected criminal offenses.
CCJS300
(Perm Req)
Criminological and Criminal Justice Research Methods
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg
GenEd: DSSP
Prerequisite: CCJS100 and CCJS105; and (PSYC200, CCJS200, ECON321, BMGT230, or SOCY201).
Introduction to the formulation of research questions covering crime and justice, research designs, data collection, and interpretation and reporting in criminological and justice-system settings.
CCJS301
Fundamentals in Criminal Justice
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Must be enrolled at The Universities at Shady Grove; and must be in the Criminal Justice minor; or by permission of department; and must not be in the Criminology and Criminal Justice major.
Provides an overview of the three major components of the American criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections. Each component will be explored in its development over time as well as various issues surrounding each component. This course will also cover important issues that are relevant to current debates including race, reentry, technology and crime, juvenile justice, and future directions for criminal justice.
CCJS310
Criminal Investigations
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS100 and CCJS230.
An introduction to modern methods used in detection, investigation, and solution of crime. Students will be taught basic and advanced investigative techniques utilized by law enforcement agencies. Analysis of actual cases will be used to demonstrate practical uses of these techniques.
CCJS318C
(Perm Req)
Special Topics in Criminology & Criminal Justice; Public Speaking for Criminal Justice Professionals
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisites: CCJS100 or CCJS105.

Restriction: Must be a major within the BSOS-Criminology & Criminal Justice department.
CCJS318G
Special Topics in Criminology & Criminal Justice; Introduction to Forensic Science
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
CCJS320
(Perm Req)
Introduction to Criminalistics
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS100 and CCJS230.
An introduction to modern methods used in the detection, investigation and solution of crimes. Practical analysis of evidence in a crime laboratory, including fingerprints and other impressions, firearms ID and ballistics, hairs and fibers, document examination, and use of polygraph.
Students must pay a $53.00 lab fee.
CCJS325
Slavery in the Twenty First Century: Combating Human Trafficking
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
GenEd: DSHS, SCIS
What is human trafficking and how do we stop it? An introduction to the trafficking of human beings in its historical, legal, economic, political and social contexts. Scope of the global problem, different forms of human trafficking, and regional trends and practices. Roles of government, the international community and individual actors. Strategies to combat trafficking.
CCJS330
Contemporary Criminological Issues
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS100 and CCJS105.
Topics may include career criminals, prison overcrowding, prediction, ecological studies of crimes, family and delinquency, entrepreneurship in criminal justice and criminology, and similar criminological problems.
CCJS332
(Perm Req)
Major Transitions: From Undergraduate to Professional
Credits: 1
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Restriction: Must be in Criminology and Criminal Justice program; and sophomore standing or higher.
This course is designed to assist criminology and criminal justice students explore career opportunities. Topics will include: graduate school, law school, career opportunities in federal, state, local, and public agencies, resume writing, and internships.
CCJS340
(Perm Req)
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS100.
Critical issues relating to policing. Topics include police discretion, role of police, use of force, misconduct, police research, administration, personnel, and etc.
CCJS342
(Perm Req)
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS100.
Restriction: Must be in a major within the BSOS-Criminology & Criminal Justice department.
Credit only granted for: CCJS342 or CCJS452.
Examination of the American correctional system. Identification of historical and contemporary themes, issues, and trends. Evaluation of correctional policies, practices and research.
CCJS345
(Perm Req)
Courts and Sentencing
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS100.
Restriction: Must be in a major within the BSOS-Criminology & Criminal Justice department.
Contemporary issues in the American court system such as prosecution, sentencing and punishment. Theoretical perspectives on courtroom decision-making integrated with empirical research. Courts and sentencing processes, including initial charging, pretrial detention and final sentencing outcomes. Innovations in courts and sentencing.
CCJS352
(Perm Req)
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS100.
An analysis of the role of criminal justice in the control of drug use and abuse.
CCJS359
(Perm Req)
Field Training in Criminology and Corrections
Credits: 1 - 6
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisites: CCJS 105 or CRIM 220; and CCJS 350 or CRIM 450; and permission of department. For majors only.
Contact department for information to register for this course.
CCJS360
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS105.
Overview of the history and theory of victimology. Analysis of victimization patterns with special emphasis on types of victims and crimes. The interaction between victims of crime and the criminal justice system with respect to the role of the victim and the services offered to the victim.
CCJS386
(Perm Req)
Experiential Learning
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F
Restriction: Permission of BSOS-Criminology & Criminal Justice department; and junior standing or higher.
Contact department for information to register for this course.
CCJS388H
(Perm Req)
Independent Reading Course in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
CCJS389H
(Perm Req)
Independent Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Credits: 1 - 6
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Contact department for information to register for this course.
CCJS398
(Perm Req)
Law Enforcement Field Training
Credits: 1 - 6
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: junior standing. For majors only.
Contact department for information to register for this course.
CCJS399
(Perm Req)
Independent Study in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Credits: 1 - 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: written consent of faculty under whose direction the study is to be performed, and at least twelve hours of CCJS credits.
Contact department for information to register for this course.
CCJS418C
(Perm Req)
Seminar in Criminology and Criminal Justice; Gender and Crime
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisites: CCJS100, CCJS105, and CCJS300.
CCJS418D
(Perm Req)
Seminar in Criminology and Criminal Justice; Evolving Legal Issues
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS100 and CCJS230.
CCJS418E
(Perm Req)
Seminar in Criminology and Criminal Justice; Applications of Data Science in Criminology
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS100, CCJS105, CCJS200 and CCJS300. Restriction: Permission of department.
CCJS418P
(Perm Req)
Seminar in Criminology and Criminal Justice; Marijuana, Law and Society
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisites: CCJS100 and CCJS105.
CCJS440
Security Administration
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS100 and CCJS340.
Credit only granted for: CCJS440 or CCJS498Z.
Formerly: CCJS498Z.
Designed to introduce students to the complex issues of Security Administration and the critical terrorism issues facing the nation. Emphasis is placed on understanding the historical and contemporary issues effecting U.S. Counterterrorism Policy. It also explores the challenges facing today's security administrators including: ethics, classified information, intelligence, terrorist organizations and incidents, physical and personnel security, transportation and border security issues.
CCJS450
(Perm Req)
Advanced Juvenile Delinquency
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS105 and CCJS300.
Credit only granted for: CCJS350 or CCJS450.
Examination of juvenile delinquency in the United States. Nature and extent of juvenile delinquency, historical approaches, sociological and criminological theories and research, social contexts including the institutions of families, schools, and peers, and social responses. Prevention, punishment, and treatment programs, both within and outside of the juvenile justice and criminal justice systems.
CCJS451
(Perm Req)
Crime and Delinquency Prevention
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS105 and CCJS300.
Methods and programs in prevention of crime and delinquency.
CCJS454
(Perm Req)
Contemporary Criminological Theory
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS300 and CCJS105.
Examination of the main theoretical accounts that explain the underlying causes of criminal behaviors. Explore how individual choices, socialization experiences, biological factors and social structure affect criminal behaviors.
CCJS461
Psychology of Criminal Behavior
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS105 and CCJS300.
Biological, environmental, and personality factors which influence criminal behaviors. Biophysiology and crime, stress and crime, maladjustment patterns, psychoses, personality disorders, aggression and violent crime, sex-motivated crime and sexual deviations, alcohol and drug abuse, and criminal behavior.
CCJS489H
(Perm Req)
CCJS498I
Selected Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice; Digital Forensics
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
CCJS498K
Selected Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice; Child Abuse Investigations
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
CCJS498P
Selected Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice; Truth and Justice in the Disinformation Era
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
CCJS498V
Selected Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice; Use of Force
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
CCJS498Z
Selected Topics in Criminology and Criminal Justice; A Matter of Life and Death: Criminal Sentencing Issues
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, P-F, Aud
CCJS600
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in one of the following programs (Criminology and Criminal Justice (Master's); Criminology and Criminal Justice (Doctoral)) ; or permission of BSOS-Criminology & Criminal Justice department.
Formerly: CJUS600.
Current concept of criminal justice in relationship to other concepts in the field. Historical perspective. Criminal justice and social control. Operational implications. Systemic aspects. Issues of evaluation.
CCJS604
(Perm Req)
Policy Analysis Project
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg
An application of statistical and conceptual tools to criminal justice data in the student's area of concentration, resulting in a paper reporting the conceptualization, analytic methods and results. The topic of the independent study will be chosen through individual consultation with the instructor.
Contact department for information to register for this course.
CCJS620
Fundamentals of Criminological Research
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Credit only granted for: CCJS498D or CCJS620.
Formerly: CCJS498D.
Designed to help criminology students understand and apply three important components of statistics: decriptive statistics (including probability theory), fundamentals of statistical inference, and regression analysis. Course assumes familiarity with basic descriptive statistics. The emphasis of the classes on descriptive statistics is the calculation and interpretation of summary statistical measures for describing raw data. Covers the basic rules of probability and different probabilistic processes that could describe criminal activity. The sessions on fundamentals of statistical inferences are designed to provide background for executing and interpreting hypothesis tests and confidence intervals. The latter portion of the course focuses on regession analysis. Uses the statistical software, Stata.
CCJS631
Ethics in Criminal Justice
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in one of the following programs: Criminology and Criminal Justice (Master's); Criminology and Criminal Justice (Doctoral); Sociology (Master's); Sociology (Doctoral); or permission from BSOS-Criminology & Criminal Justice department.
Provides students with an overview of the major ethical perspectives, which are typically used to inform and justify the workings of the criminal justice system. The course draws on a number of case studies in order to introduce students to a broad range of ethical dilemmas, and students develop and hone a decision-making process designed to resolve such dilemmas.
CCJS632
Making Sense of Criminal Justice Methods and Statistics
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Restriction: Must be in one of the following programs: Criminology and Criminal Justice (Master's); Criminology and Criminal Justice (Doctoral); Sociology (Master's); Sociology (Doctoral); Master of Professional Studies in Public Safety Leadership and Administration (MPLA); Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration (Z130); or permission from BSOS-Criminology & Criminal Justice department.
Teaches students how to better understand research that relies on statistics and to then apply this understanding to common criminal justice problems. The course will introduce basic statistical concepts that are necessary for analyzing crime and evaluating criminal justice programs and policies. Students will learn to interpret and assess the quality of reports that present crime trends, descriptive statistics, correlations, data mining efforts, geo-spatial and social media analytics, risk analysis for repeat offenders, hot spots of crime, and experimental research. By the end of the semester, students will learn to assess critically the quality of published research and evaluate its implications for criminal justice policy.
CCJS650
Research Practicum
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg
Provides the opportunity for students to develop and complete a research project, which will provide information on research proficiency for the determination of advancement to doctoral candidacy
CCJS652
Seminar in Juvenile Delinquency
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Formerly: CRIM652.
Analysis of delinquency and its control.
CCJS654
History of Criminological Thought
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: CCJS454; or students who have taken courses with comparable content may contact the department.
Formerly: CRIM654.
A study of the development of criminological thought from antiquity to the present.
CCJS670
Race, Crime, and Criminal Justice
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Provides an historical overview of the operation and evolution of the criminal justice system and the impact of race. How race affects definitions of crime and criminality, the workings of the criminal justice system, the development of criminological theory, and the role of criminal justice ethics in the study of race and crime will be considered.
CCJS699
Special Criminological Problems
Credits: 1 - 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Contact department for information to register for this course.
CCJS699C
Special Criminological Problems; Victimization
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
CCJS710
Advanced Statistics Methods - Limited Dependent Variables
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed an approved doctoral level statistics course.
Formerly: CRIM710.
Application of advanced data analysis strategies to criminological and criminal justice problems, with specific focus on limited dependent variables.
CCJS720
Criminal Justice System Planning: Policy Analysis for Crime Control
Credits: 3
Grad Meth: Reg, Aud
Prerequisite: Must have completed 1 course in research methodology; and 1 course in CCJS.
Formerly: CJUS720.
System theory and method; examination of planning methods and models based primarily on a systems approach to the operations of the criminal justice system.
CCJS799
(Perm Req)
Master's Thesis Research
Credits: 1 - 6
Grad Meth: S-F
Contact department for information to register for this course.
CCJS898
(Perm Req)
Pre-Candidacy Research
Credits: 1 - 8
Grad Meth: Reg
Contact department for information to register for this course.
CCJS899
(Perm Req)
Doctoral Dissertation Research
Credits: 6
Grad Meth: S-F
Contact department for information to register for this course.