Course Descriptions 2009-10

CJSA 1308 Criminalistics I (3-0) (3 credits)
Introduction to the field of criminalistics.  Topics include the application of the scientific and technical methods in the investigation of crime including location, identification, and handling of evidence for scientific analysis.

CJSA 1393 Special Topics in Criminal Justice – Violent Crime
Investigations (Capstone) (3-0) (3 credits)
Concepts, investigation process, scene management, required documentation and case management of incidents of criminal homicide, non-criminal causes of death, sexual assault, child abuse, physical assault, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Prerequisites: CJSA 1308, CRIJ 2314
Corequisite: FORS 2440

CRIJ 1301 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3-0) (3 credits)
History, philosophy, and ethical considerations of criminal justice; the nature and impact of crime; and an overview of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement and court procedures.

CRIJ 1306 Court Systems and Practices (3-0) (3 credits)
Study of the judiciary in the American criminal justice system and the adjudication processes and procedures.

CRIJ 1307 Crime in America (3-0) (3 credits)
American crime problems in historical perspective, social and public policy factors affecting crime, impact and crime trends, social characteristics of specific crimes, and prevention of crime.    

CRIJ 1310 Fundamentals of Criminal Law (3-0)  (3 credits)
Study of criminal law, its philosophical and historical development, major definitions andconcepts, classifications and elements of crime, penalties using Texas statutes as illustrations,and criminal responsibility.

CRIJ 1313 Juvenile Justice System (3-0) (3 credits)
A study of the juvenile justice process to include specialized juvenile law, role of the juvenile law, role of the juvenile courts, role of police agencies, role of correctional agencies, and theories concerning delinquency.

CRIJ 2301 Community Resources in Corrections (3-0) (3 credits)
An introductory study of the role of the community in corrections; community programs for adults and juveniles; administration of community programs; legal issues; future trends in community treatment.

CRIJ 2313 Correctional Systems and Practices (3-0) (3 credits)
Corrections in the criminal justice system; organization of correctional systems; correctional role; institutional operations; alternatives to institutionalization; treatment and rehabilitation; current and future issues.

CRIJ 2314 Criminal Investigation (3-0) (3 credits)
Investigative theory; collection and preservation of evidence; sources of information; interviewand interrogation; uses of forensic sciences; case and trial preparation.

CRIJ 2323 Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement (3-0) (3 credits)
Police authority; responsibilities; constitutional constraints; laws of arrest, search, and seizure;police liability.

CRIJ 2328 Police Systems and Practices (3-0) (3 credits)
The police profession; organization of law enforcement systems; the police role; police discretion; ethics; police-community interaction; current and future issues.

FORS 2440 Forensic Science I (3-3) (3 credits)
Survey of the procedures of crime scene investigation in gathering evidence and applicable scientific technologies that follow established protocols by first responders; a preview of how criminalists in forensic laboratories will process the gathered evidence will be presented.
Prerequisites: CJSA 1308, CRIJ 2314
Corequisite: CJSA 1393