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Graduate Criminal Justice (CRIJ) Course Descriptions

6091 Independent Research: 1-6. A specialized course that may be directed reading or research for superior students majoring in Criminal Justice. Department approval required.

6301 Seminar in Homeland Security (3-0). In conjunction with an analysis of current Homeland Security topics, students apply theoretical concepts of target identification and risk evaluation to develop risk mitigation plans, which are jointly critiqued by their classmates. Students consider various natural and man-made disasters and potential disasters, from an all-hazards perspective. Practical application of open source intelligence to risk analysis and mitigation is a key component of this course. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Border Security 6301.)

6302 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (3-0). Geographic Information Systems (GIS) contain a powerful set of tools for data acquisition, management, query, and display. This course provides students with a substantial foundation in the history of cartography and mapmaking. A second major emphasis of this course will merge both theoretical and historical information with hands-on practical training utilizing the basic tools provided with GIS software. Students will become familiar with the importance of metadata, as well as editing and updating metadata and how this is important to the success or failure of the dataset as a whole. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Border Security 6302.)

6304 Advanced Studies in Transnational Crime (3-0). Globalization touches all aspects of an ever more interconnected world - never more so than in criminal organizations. The study of the morphology of transnational criminal organizations of all types is key to understanding the future of organized and international crime and the associated legal and practical efforts to counter future trends. Through differentiation of historical and contemporary patterns, modus operandi, capabilities, and vulnerabilities of transnational criminals and organizations, students develop crime interdiction proposals and critique the proposals of other students, through a Socratic process. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Border Security 6304.)

6305 Advanced Studies in Human Trafficking (3-0). This advanced course looks at the origins and current trends in trafficking of humans for profit. Whether it be to supply workers for the international sex trade, or the delivery of babies for adoption, the trafficking of humans destroys lives, families, and the very social fabric upon which societies are built. This course delves into the theoretical basis of the psychopathology behind human trafficking and the intense process of recovery that victims and their families need to recover from these crimes, help that is often lacking in even the most civilized societies. Students evaluate current events and develop theoretically and legally based responses to these crimes. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Border Security 6305.)

6306 Advanced Studies in International Drug Trafficking (3-0). The international trafficking of illegal narcotics and other pharmaceuticals has been a global problem for over a century. From the Opium Wars of the 1800s to the current battles among drug cartels in Mexico, this course offers an in-depth analysis of the epidemic of drug abuse and its association with crime. Using open source intelligence, students evaluate the impact of current drug interdiction efforts by federal agencies. Students conduct online research, statistical analysis, development of viable programs and policies to reduce the current demand for illegal substances worldwide. They then argue in support of their positions to convince the remainder of the class of their program’s viability. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Border Security 6306.)

6318 Cybercrime (3-0). This course prepares students to build foundational knowledge in cybercrime to pursue further classes in cybercrime investigation. Contents of the class include but are not limited to a general introduction to cybercrime, basic terms and definitions, applicable theories, its challenges, and prevention methods. In this course, students are able to obtain not only foundational knowledge but also get hands-on experience through the scenario-based lab assignments and build the necessary technical knowledge for future courses.

6320 Studies in Terrorism (3-0). This course discusses the politics of terrorism and counterterrorism in depth. Theoretical approaches to explain terrorism as a tactic are analyzed. Individual, group, and state terrorism are reviewed from a historical and political context. Students conduct an in-depth analysis of the U.S. response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, the advent of the USA PATRIOT ACT and its impact on civil liberties, and the development of the Department of Homeland Security as a terrorist mitigation strategy. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Border Security 6320.)

6322 Digital Forensic Investigation (3-0). Provides a comprehensive understanding and application of digital forensics and investigation tools and techniques, and a view of the profession. Operating system architectures and disk structures are discussed, with how to set up a functioning office and laboratory. Other topics covered include digital evidence control, scene processing, data acquisition, computer forensic analysis, email investigations, image file recovery, investigative report writing, and expert witness requirements. Provides hands-on assignments either in solo or in teams. With rapid growth of computer systems and digital data, this area has grown in importance. Learners will explore the nature of specific cybercrime and be able to successfully analyze and document the digital evidence related to the crime.
Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 6318.

6328 Mobile Forensic Investigation (3-0). This course provides a comprehensive understanding of network forensic analysis principles. Network infrastructures, topologies, and protocols are introduced. Students understand the relationship between network forensic analysis and network security technologies. Students will learn to identify network security incidents and potential sources of digital evidence. Learners will also identify potential applications for the integration of network forensic technologies and demonstrate the ability to accurately document network forensic processes and analysis.
Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 6322.

6330 Critical Analysis of Justice Administration (3-0). An analysis of the criminal justice system in the United States; role of justice agencies as part of societal response to crime; knowledge base of criminal justice; issues, problems, trends.

6332 Criminal Justice Theory (3-0). Overview of the major paradigms focusing on the causes of crime and deviant behavior with special attention given to the social, political, and intellectual philosophies within which each perspective arose. Students discuss criminological theories from a philosophy of science perspective, focusing upon such issues as theory construction, theoretical integration, and the formal evaluation of theory.

6334 Research Methods and Statistics in Security Studies (3-0). Research methods with application to intelligence, homeland security, criminal justice, and other security-related interests. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Intelligence, Security Studies, and Analysis 6305, Security Studies 6305, or Border Security 6334.)

6339 Police in Society (3-0). An examination of the evolution of police in modern society with a special emphasis given to the role police play in contemporary society. Current research examining the function of the police and trends and techniques in policing are examined.

6340 Constitutional Issues in Homeland Security (3-0). Taking Constitutional Law to the next level, students conduct in-depth analysis of court decisions that respond to ongoing efforts to address legislative efforts to secure the homeland in the face of a continued international terrorist threat. Additionally, students evaluate the legal basis for federal response to natural and man-made disasters and the impact of these responses to local sovereignty. Students taking this course are required to write extensive legal briefs. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Border Security 6340.)

6341 Advanced Studies in International Police Development (3-0). Students use the comparative method to conduct critical analyses of ongoing efforts to develop police in other countries by the U.S., EU, UN, and other agencies. The role of military and non-military forces, coupled with their interaction with NGOs and local agencies, is evaluated. Developing measurement tools to use in conducting success evaluation is a key part of this course. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Border Security 6341.)

6348 Network Forensic Investigation (3-0). This course will examine advanced network security issues and solutions. The initial focus is on Security basics such as security services, access controls, vulnerabilities, threats and risk, network architectures and attacks. In the second part of the course, particular focus will be given to network security capabilities and mechanisms (Access Control on wire-line and wireless networks), IPsec, Firewalls, Deep Packet Inspection and Transport security. The final portion will address Network Application security (Email, Ad-hoc, XML/SAML and Services Oriented Architecture security). Our review will explore a number of Network Use Cases.
Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 6328.

6371 Internship. This course is designed to familiarize students with the application of knowledge gained in course work and with operations and problems in the field of criminal justice. Students must be pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice. Approval of instructor is required.

6372 Seminar in Corrections (3-0). A variety of problems in American Corrections are explored, including the philosophy of prisons, sentencing, community corrections, rehabilitation, and correctional reform. The efficacy of the death penalty is evaluated. Students also investigate the sources of professional shortcomings, system deficiencies, and public inadequacies to develop theoretically based proposals to address these issues.

6381 Special Topics (3-0). A course dealing with selected topics in the criminal justice field. May be repeated once for credit when topics vary.

6387 Seminar in Criminal Justice Agency Ethics (3-0). The study of criminal justice without the concurrent study of justice is simply criminal. This course exposes students to the ethics (and lack thereof) of criminal justice agencies. Scenario evaluation, active discussion, and theoretically based argumentation and decision-making are all key components of this seminar. (Credit may not be earned for this course and Border Security 6387.)

6389 Capstone Seminar in Criminal Justice (3-0). This course is a research seminar in which students will develop skills in locating, extracting, evaluating, and synthesizing information acquired from their prior courses. Students write a publishable, article-length, paper based on independent research. Students may also be expected to supplement their research with other readings under the direction of the professor.

6391 Research. Individual research problems for superior students in criminal justice. May be repeated for a total of six semester hours credit. Prerequisite: Approval from the Chair of the Department is required prior to enrollment.

6393 Legal Aspects of the Criminal Justice System (3-0). In this overview of various aspects of law that are relevant to and essential for a better understanding of the criminal justice system and its related processes, students analyze and brief critical court decisions that have shaped the PCC system.