Course Descriptions
REQUIRED COURSES
Introduction to Criminology, Law and Society
Introduces students to general concepts and theories used in the study
of criminology, law and society. Examines the major explanations for
crime and deviance as well as those relating to systems of punishment
and social control within society.
Legal Institutions and Society
Examines the political, social, and economic contexts of law creation
and law enforcement. Discusses the major theories and philosophies of
law, and relates these to current issues of the state and to social
problems.
Police, Courts and Corrections
Examines the major institutions of criminal justice from a social
scientific perspective. Theories and concepts of sociology, psychology,
political science, anthropology, and other disciplines will be used to
describe and explain the workings of the criminal justice system.
Crime and Social Deviance
Examines the major perspectives on criminal and deviant behavior.
Specific deviant and criminal activities will be described and
explained using established theories. Issues related to societal social
problems and social control of deviant and criminal behavior will also
be analyzed.
Applied Statistics
Introduces the techniques of statistical analysis used for evaluation
and policy purposes. Pertinent examples will be discussed including
such topics as probability, statistical inference, significance
testing, descriptive statistics, and multivariate analysis.
Research Methods
Examines the various methods for designing research studies that can
best answer policy and research questions. Various pitfalls in
scientific research will also be discussed.
Public Policy, Crime and Criminal Justice
Examines key policy issues related to criminal justice systems.
Examines and discusses policymaking and the impact and use of
scientific information on current U.S. policy debates.
Organizational Analysis and Managerial Communications
Basic organizational theories and concepts will be analyzed to
understand the behavior of people in organizations. Tools for increased
management effectiveness will be examined.
Leadership
Focuses on relationship between leaders and various constituencies.
Provides an understanding of effective leadership practices. Examines
theoretical concepts regarding leadership in organizations, incluing
its origins, aspects, and consequences.
Social Problems, Law and Policy
In this course, which serves as the MAS capstone requirement, students
will choose a social problem related to crime, criminal justice, and
law, relate it to legal and social issues, and devise a plan of action
to research the problem and/or develop informed policy. Using knowledge
obtained from prior required courses, and input from CLS faculty,
students will write term papers on their chosen topics.
SAMPLE ELECTIVE COURSES
White-Collar and Corporate Crime
Examines criminal activity within the professions, organizations, and
businesses. Theories discussing the etiology of these acts are
considered as well as perspectives regarding their control.
Corrections in America
A review of how the U. S. punishes and rehabilitates convicted law
violators. The conflicts among the major purposes of
sentencing--rehabilitation, deterrence, and incapacitation -- are
discussed, as well as the effects of different sanctions on public
safety, offender rehabilitation, and justice system costs.
Hate Crimes
Examines the causes and consequences of hate crimes as well as the
larger soical land political context in which they occur. Considers
the dynamics and politics of violence stemming from bigotry and
discrimination, as well as the social policies designed to control it.
