Department of Criminal Justice & Legal Studies

CRJ 100  Introduction to Criminal Justice     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: A survey of the philosophical and historical background of the criminal justice system as it relates to the individual; reviews the principles underlying social organization control devices with an emphasis upon such legal systems as the criminal courts, corrections, and law enforcement; designed to provide general knowledge about the concept and causes of crime, the varying goals and objectives of the criminal justice system, and an assessment of specific role performance of various members of the criminal justice system including major aspects of civil process.

CORE 42: MOTR CRJS 101; Introduction to Criminal Justice (attribute MO11)

CRJ 110  Introduction to Juvenile Justice     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Studies the delinquent juvenile as an individual and the impact on society; investigates delinquency, causation, the role of the law enforcement officer, the juvenile officer, the juvenile court, and juvenile corrections.

CRJ 130  Introduction to Policing     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Examines issues critical to the policing of today's society. Although the primary focus will be on problems faced by street officers, the philosophical concepts will be of concern to anyone in the criminal justice system.

CRJ 140  Traffic Control and Accident Investigation     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Introduction to traffic control and accident investigation in modern cities; reviews principles of organizing and administering police units for traffic enforcement, accident prevention, and safety education; presents basic techniques of accident investigation, analysis, and interpretation.

CRJ 190  Criminal Investigation     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: A course on modern investigative methodology. All aspects of the criminal investigative function of the police are fully covered from the preliminary investigation to the preparation of the case for review by the prosecutor. Particular attention is given to the importance of information, interrogation, and instrumentation in the solution and preparation of criminal cases for trial. Prerequisite(s): LAT 101 or CRJ 100.

CRJ 200  Introduction to Corrections     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: The origins and theories of punishment and the prison system; introduces principles and programs of institutional correction and special problems in administration; reviews modern recommendations for improvement of the system. Prerequisite(s): CRJ 100.

CRJ 260  Criminal Law     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Explores the origin, development, and classification of substantive criminal law; reviews the rules of evidence of particular importance at the operational level of law enforcement and criminal procedures in arrest, force, search, and seizure. Prerequisite(s): Completion of 9 credit hours in criminal justice or legal studies.

CRJ 270  Probation and Parole     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Examines probation, parole and alternatives to confinement and their effectiveness in curbing future criminal behavior. Prerequisite(s): CRJ 100.

CRJ 275  Police Photography     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: To introduce students to the principles and practices of police photography. They will learn the legal issues for the development of evidence and the way photography is used in the field of criminal justice. Prerequisite(s): Completion of 6 credit hours in criminal justice or legal studies or permission of the instructor.

CRJ 280  Criminalistics     Credits: 4

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Introductory survey of modern methodology for police laboratories and introduces the means of achieving high degrees of proficiency in the field of scientific criminal inquiries with the use of laboratory equipment. This will allow the student the opportunity to have actual experience in utilizing the techniques performed in the forensic laboratory. Prerequisite(s): CRJ 190.

CRJ 300  Criminal Justice Communications     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: The study of interviewing and interrogation as an oral form of communication; the legal guidelines, and the techniques used in the field of criminal justice. The development of technical writing skills to transfer oral communications into written materials, in the form of narrative reports to be used in the criminal justice field. Prerequisite(s): ENG 104 and COM 104.

CRJ 305  Introduction to Theories of Crime     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Provides an introduction to the study of crime and causation of crime from the interdisciplinary perspectives of sociology, psychology, and biology. This course is primarily concerned with understanding the causes of crime and examining some of the most influential explanations for criminal behavior. Also, this course examines various categories of crimes such as (1) violent crimes, (2) property crimes, (3) white collar and organized crimes, (4) public order crimes and (5) cyber crimes and technologies. Prerequisite(s): 9 hours in criminal justice or permission of course instructor.

CRJ 315  Criminal Justice Concepts and Issues     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Gives students an opportunity to investigate selected problems or topics on a group discussion basis. Provides materials which reflect prevailing trends and fundamental concepts in criminal justice. Prerequisite(s): Completion of 9 credit hours in criminal justice or legal studies and CRJ 305.

CRJ 320  Criminal Evidence     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Comprehensive study of evidentiary rules and procedures that apply to the enforcement of criminal law and to the stages of investigation and trial. Prerequisite(s): Completion of 9 credit hours in criminal justice or legal studies.

CRJ 325  Understanding Research in Criminal Justice     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: An introduction to qualitative and quantitative criminal justice research method theory and techniques. In addition, this course will examine ethics, academic writing and the components of a research study. The student will also be responsible for the building and general interpretation of a database. Prerequisite(s): Completion of 9 credit hours in criminal justice, legal studies or social work and successful completion of the general studies math requirement, or permission of instructor. MAT 112 is recommended, but not required.

CRJ 345  Victimology     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: This course provides the student with an opportunity to amine the recent and rapidly developing branch of criminology designed to study the crime victim. The student will examine both vulnerability and culpability of crime victims. Specifically the history of victimology and the victim's experience with the criminal justice system will be discussed. The rights and laws concerning crime victims as well as general safety and risk issues will also be emphasized throughout the course. The issue of family violence will be examined thoroughly at the end of the course.

CRJ 365  Practicum I     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: An applied learning experience designed to provide students with a practical experience that is supervised in a criminal justice or legal agency, monitored by the instructor. The student will be required to work at least 135 hours in the field. The experience in the field must be combined with further study of one aspect of the placement agency, which the student must research and write about in a term paper due at the end of the semester. Students who use this course for part of the Applied Learning requirement must further develop this paper and a presentation in CRJ 470 that is based on the student's work in CRJ 365. May be repeated for up to 6 credit hours. Prerequisite(s): Declared criminal justice or legal studies major and completion of 9 credit hours in criminal justice or legal studies.

CRJ 375  Sentencing Practices and Issues     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: This course will address issues of sentencing in the United States. Sentencing theories, paradigms and topics will be examined in both historic and current context. These will include death penalty, imprisonment, community based sanctions and rehabilitative sanctions. Key court cases will be used to develop an understanding of the restrictions placed on sentencing in the US, at the local, state and federal court levels. Prerequisite(s): CRJ 100 or permission of instructor.

CRJ 392  Selected Criminal Justice Topics     Credits: 1-4

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Provides students with the opportunity to examine specialized or advanced topics in criminal justice. Topics will be offered on a rotating basis. These topics will usually be an in-depth examination of a subject introduced in other CRJ courses. There may be an applied learning experience with this course, such as a trip or other related activity.

CRJ 405  Research Methods     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Provides the student an understanding of the practical usage of key methods of research and statistical evaluation in criminal justice and law. Methods will be demonstrated via classroom application and academic journal articles. The student will develop a research proposal in an area of his or her particular interest during this course. Prerequisite(s): CRJ 325 or permission of course instructor.

CRJ 410  Criminal Procedure     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Explores criminal law and examines court decisions as they pertain to functional law enforcement procedures. Prepares the individual to maintain professional skill levels in this area over an extended period of time. Prerequisite(s): CRJ 260.

CRJ 420  Quantitative Analysis in Criminal Justice     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Quantitative analysis bridges the gap between evaluation and policy implication by providing the student experience utilizing, interpreting, and presenting statistics and statistical models. A key component of this course will be examining restrictions on data and matching the appropriate statistical technique to the data source. Prerequisite(s): Completion of CRJ 405 or permission of course instructor.

CRJ 440  Juvenile Law and Procedures     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: The jurisdiction of juvenile courts; their function and organization; processing the detention of juveniles; case disposition; juvenile statutes; and court procedures. Prerequisite(s): CRJ 110.

CRJ 450  Independent Research/Project     Credits: 1-6

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Investigation of a research problem, project, or topic on an individual conference basis. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite(s): Minimum of 2.5 GPA in major field, and departmental approval.

CRJ 460  Criminal Justice Administration and Leadership     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: An overview of administration and management in criminal justice organizations. This course utilizes both historical and current organizational theory, leadership, and planning. Examines the impact of communication, legal issues, ethics, and changing social standards. Prerequisite(s): Completion of 9 credit hours in criminal justice or legal studies.

CRJ 465  Internship     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.

Course Description: An academic program which offers criminal justice and legal studies majors an opportunity to integrate theory with actual practice. Students spend at least 135 hours in a position related to their major. Anticipated learning objectives are established in a contract agreed to by the student, the on-site supervisor and the course professor. The student will work with the faculty member to identify a topic during the Internship to develop further and present on in CRJ 470. May be repeated for up to 6 credit hours. Prerequisite(s): CRJ 325.

CRJ 470  Senior Seminar     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Designed for seniors majoring in criminal justice or legal studies; presents selected topics for group discussion, guest speakers, and the exploration of career options. Paper and PowerPoint presentation will be required, based on a topic developed during CRJ 365 Practicum I or CRJ 465 Internship. This course should be taken during the student's senior year. Prerequisite(s): Senior standing and either CRJ 365 or CRJ 465 or permission of course instructor.

CRJ 492  Advanced Selected Criminal Justice Topics     Credits: 1-3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Senior level students are given the opportunity to study more advanced topics in criminal justice with either full-time faculty or faculty with specialized credentials recruited from outside the University. There may be an applied learning experience with this course, such as a specialized lab component, study away or other related activity. This course is repeatable for credit.

LAT 101  Introduction to Law     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Examines: the American legal system; the nature and functions of civil law; the function and structure of the state and federal court system and administrative agencies. The course also presents an overview of the trial of a civil lawsuit and a survey of the major areas of civil law.

LAT 115  Paralegal Studies     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Examines the role of the legal assistant in the practice of law. The course will identify paralegal functions, types of employment for paralegals, the structure of a law office and law office systems. The course will examine issues regarding paralegal education, licensing of paralegals, paralegal professional ethics, and the unauthorized practice of law. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent enrollment in LAT 101.

LAT 220  Legal Research     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Students examine the components of a law library. Through research projects and assignments, students gain experience working with law legal reference material including statutes, cases, regulations and annotated summaries of law. Methods of legal writing and citation style are introduced. Prerequisite(s): Credit or concurrent enrollment in LAT 101.

LAT 225  Litigation     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Examines the procedures involved in a lawsuit. Subjects covered include: civil court procedures, types of lawsuits, pleadings, pretrial preparation, trial and post-trial procedures. The course will emphasize the role of the various people involved in this process. Prerequisite(s): LAT 220.

LAT 230  Real Property     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Presents the major legal concepts associated with the law of real property and real estate transactions. Emphasis on the historical common law concepts of property; present statutory structure; and common practices in the conveyance and ownership of real estate.

LAT 250  Legal Computer Applications     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Examination of legal applications of computer technology. Students will examine the use of electronic resources to access, acquire, crate and provide information electronically. The course will use commercial and non-commercial sources of information, software, governmental/public domain material (statues, regulations, cases). Students will learn to use personal computers for communication and to explore the Internet, Westlaw, and other electronic sources. Prerequisite(s): Prior computer knowledge or course work is recommended for students, including word processing techniques, the Internet, and e-mail.

LAT 310  Legal Drafting     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Technical skill course where students will learn the fundamentals of drafting legal documents in areas of Property, Torts, Business Organizations, Domestic Relations, and Contracts. Prerequisite(s): LAT 225.

LAT 316  Philosophy of Law     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: This course will survey several of the central schools of thought in the philosophy of Anglo-American jurisprudence. To do this, we will consider five major questions: What is law? What, if any, connection is there between law and ethics? When should law be used to restrict the liberty of individuals? To what extent should democratic states permit civil disobedience? What justifies inflicting punishment on those who violate the law? Same as PHL 316. Prerequisite(s): Any previous philosophy course.

LAT 320  Tort Law     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Studies the law in the areas of personal injury, malpractice and products liability law. Emphasis on the origin of these actions, the present state of the law, and the future in "Tort Reform" and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Prerequisite(s): LAT 101.

LAT 335  Interpersonal Conflict Resolution     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: In-depth examination of the mediation process. Students will learn methods to promote settlement in disputes. Same as PAX 335.

LAT 340  Study Away in Criminal Justice and Legal Studies     Credits: 1-3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: This course focuses on one or more criminal justice and legal studies issues and the institutions responsible for the creation and execution of the law (i.e., the judicial branch, the legislative branch and/or the executive branch of this or another country). Content of the course varies, but includes an applied learning experience involving travel to another part of the United States or another country. May be repeated for up to 12 hours of credit. Prerequisite(s): Completion of 45 college credit hours or instructor's permission.

LAT 360  Probate Law     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall.

Course Description: Studies the origins and the present legal framework for the law of inheritance, guardianship/conservatorship, and trusts. Includes general principles of law, terminology, and theoretical basis of Probate. Prerequisite(s): LAT 101.

LAT 365  Selected Topics in Peace and Conflict Studies     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Specialized course work in interpersonal and/or international conflict studies. May be repeated as content varies for a maximum of 9 credits.

LAT 370  Domestic Relations     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Studies the law and court procedures concerning family relations. Emphasis will be on marriage and its validity, divorce, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support and maintenance, guardianship, paternity, adoption and the Family Court. Students will research and write about issues concerning family law. Prerequisite(s): LAT 101.

LAT 400  Advanced Legal Research     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Students will integrate the use of the law library and computer legal research tools to develop advanced legal research and writing skills. Legal research and writing exercises will be used to prepare students to perform these more advanced tasks in a law office environment or in post-graduate work. Methods of legal writing and citation will be addressed as well. Prerequisite(s): LAT 220 and LAT 250 or permission of course instructor.

LAT 420  Civil Rights Law     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Substantive law course examining actions brought by individuals who claim that their rights, under the United States Constitution, have been violated. Course will cover 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, Writ of Habeas Corpus, and actions brought directly under the United States Constitution. Prerequisite(s): LAT 101 or permission of course instructor.

LAT 430  Conflict Management     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Spring.

Course Description: Examines non-litigation forms of resolving legal disputes. Emphasis will be placed on Negotiation, Mediation and Arbitration. Same as PAX 430.

LAT 492  Selected Legal Topics     Credits: 1-3

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring.

Course Description: Provides students with the opportunity to examine specialized or advanced topics of law. Topics will be offered on a rotating basis. These topics will usually be an in-depth examination of a subject introduced in other LAT courses. This course is repeatable for credit.

POL 100  Critical Aspects of Policing I     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Utilizing concepts of substantive criminal law and criminal procedure, students will learn the appropriate application of criminal statutes as well as alternative methods of resolution. Topics include tactical communication and methods for overcoming communication obstacles when dealing with highly emotional matters commonly encountered in policing. Also examined will be various technical aspects of patrol operations and criminal investigations. This course will be one of a series of courses designed to meet Missouri POST requirements for a Class A License for Peace Officer Certification. (Note: A Peace Officer License does not empower the recipient with the authority to arrest or enforce any of the laws of the State of Missouri. This will occur only after the recipient has been employed and commissioned by a law enforcement agency.) Prerequisite(s): Permission of the Law Enforcement Academy Training Director.

POL 130  Critical Aspects of Policing 2     Credits: 3

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: Builds on the foundations of Critical Aspects of Policing I. Through the integration of theory and practice students will continue to develop expertise for dealing with problems encountered by law enforcement officers. Emphasis will be placed on the development of proficiency and professionalism in interpersonal perspectives, as well as legal and technical areas of policing. This course will be one of a series of courses designed to meet Missouri POST requirements for a Class A License for Peace Officer Certification. (Note: A Peace Officer License does not empower the recipient with the authority to arrest or enforce any of the laws of the State of Missouri. This will occur only after the recipient has been employed and commissioned by a law enforcement agency.)

POL 150  Police Methods and Operations     Credits: 6-12

Typically Offered: Departmental Discretion.

Course Description: This course will cover a broad range of topics and utilize field experiences combined with critical thinking techniques to reinforce theory. Subjects will include legal aspects of policing, fundamentals of personal health safety, methods of public service and protection, and use laboratory and practical experiences to develop expertise in the use of instrumentation and equipment commonly employed by law enforcement. This course will be one of a series of courses designed to meet Missouri POST requirements for a Class A License for Peace Officer Certification. (Note: A Peace Officer License does not empower the recipient with the authority to arrest or enforce any of the laws of the State of Missouri. This will occur only after the recipient has been employed and commissioned by a law enforcement agency.) Prerequisite(s): Permission of the Law Enforcement Academy Training Director.