AA in Criminal Justice

LAS1115 - Making a Difference

Credits: 4

This course focuses on understanding who we are as humans, by learning from people who have “made a difference” in others’ lives. Through a variety of materials and assignments, students will explore how we – as individuals and as a society – can make an impact on small and large scales.

WR1010 - Writing in the Liberal Arts and Sciences I

Credits: 4

The goals of this course are, first, to develop the students' critical and analytical thinking skills in the context of a sound rhetorical approach to written communication; and, second, to instill a fundamental sensitivity to and facility with language. Areas of study include the nature of the writing process, situation and audience, problem definition, invention techniques, thesis statements, organization, drafting, revisions, and the fundamentals of editing. Assignments follow thematic sequences leading students from experience‐based, issue-oriented arguments to the essentials of formal academic research. This course is offered every semester and is required of all students to meet institutional graduation requirements.

ES1110 - Environmental Science: A Global Concern

Credits: 4

The course that satisfies the Las 5 Lab Science requirement - ES1110 - covers a broad range of current environmental problems including population growth, global climate change, famine and food resources, global warming, and the loss of biodiversity. The laboratory portion of the course provides students with hands-on field and laboratory experiences that introduce a variety of methods and techniques used to examine natural communities and air and water quality.

AR1230 - Introduction to Art and Art History

Credits: 4

This course will explore the ways in which social, cultural, religious, political and aesthetic values have been expressed in art and architecture throughout history. A thematic approach will encourage students to develop a deeper understanding of connections, issues and influences across time periods and cultures. Students will become familiar with the vocabulary and media of art and architecture as well as develop their visual analysis and critical thinking skills.

EN1930 - Survey of American Literature

Credits: 4

Beginning with the Native American voices, this course will progress through the 18th and 19th Centuries to modern times. Though this course focuses on the major writers and movements, it does not ignore the importance of some unrecognized voices that have shaped American literature.

EN1020 - Introduction to Literature

Credits: 4

This course introduces the student to different literary genres - the tale, the poem, the novel, the play - through close and varied readings of a few exemplary literary texts.

WR1020 - Writing in the Liberal Arts and Sciences II

Credits: 4

The goal of this course is to teach academic research as a tool for critical thinking that provides the basis for well-developed arguments. This course requires synthesis, analysis, and application of information through writing in a variety of rhetorical forms for a variety of audiences. Students are asked to research and discuss a variety of social issues through the use of selected readings from modern essayists and the available library resources. This course is offered every semester and is required of all students to meet institutional graduation requirements. Writing in the Liberal Arts and Sciences I. Students must earn a grade of C or better to fulfill the College Writing requirement.

MT1100 - Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning

Credits: 4

The goal of this course is to develop students' ability to think critically about quantitative statements and information. Students will have opportunities to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of numerical evidence and logical arguments, to apply mathematical methods in the context of real-world problems, and to study and employ strategies and methods for how to manipulate, understand, analyze, and interpret quantitative information.

MT1020 - College Algebra

Credits: 4

This course focuses on the application of algebra to real world problems and includes intermediate algebra topics such as solving linear equations and inequalities, solving quadratic equations, graphic linear, quadratic and other polynomial functions, rational functions, factoring, and solving systems of equations

LAS1111 - History of Political Thought

Credits: 4

This course examines the basic concepts involved in the study of the great ideas and movements shaping the areas of history, philosophy and political science. Students will have the opportunity to examine the ideas and philosophers who have shaped our modern and historical understandings, from Plato and Aristotle to JS Mill and Karl Marx through John Rawls and Robert Nozick. Topics include nature of the state, purpose of government, justice, and the rights and responsibilities involved in various notions of citizenship.

PS1000 - Overcoming Prejudice and Discrimination

Credits: 4

This course examines the forces that promote unity, theories and concepts related to prejudice and discrimination, and specific strategies to reduce conflict and promote respect and understanding among diverse populations. This course was created as a collaborative effort of faculty in criminal justice, education, kinesiology, psychology, and sociology, and has a strong applied (project-based) component.

CW1100 - Introduction to Creative Writing

Credits: 4

This course is a writing workshop that exposes students to the various genres of creative writing such as poetry, fiction, non‐fiction and drama.

PS2110 - Writing and Research in the Social Sciences

Credits: 4

This course helps students identify issues of interest and analyze how texts make claims, invoke social science literature, offer evidence, and deploy key terms. Through analysis and imitation, students are exposed to the challenges of the social science project, including the collection of data on human subjects and the ethical presentation of evidence.

CJ1110 - Introduction to Criminal Justice

Credits: 4

This course is an overview and analysis of the various parts of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, criminal law and courts, and criminal punishment and corrections.

SO1130 - Criminology

Credits: 4

This course examines the types, patterns and extent of crime in US society; the immense and varied individual and social costs of crime; and the many responses to crime that are found at the local and national levels. Though the focus is on crime in the US, some international comparisons will be integrated into the course.

CJ2320 - Criminal Justice Ethics

Prerequisite: CJ1110 – Introduction to Criminal Justice

Credits: 4

This course introduces basic ethical theories, emphasizing how ethical theory can be applied to contemporary problems in law enforcement, corrections and adjudication. Topics covered include criminal justice policy, and the ethics of law enforcement, court processes, and corrections. The course also considers issues such as police corruption and brutality, race, class and gender disparities, capital punishment, gun control, drug policy, pornography, gambling and other current issues in criminal justice.

CJ3010 - Corrections

Prerequisite: CJ1110 – Introduction to Criminal Justice

Credits: 4

This course examines current correctional practices (diversion, community supervision, and institutionalization) in terms of the historical, philosophical, and social perspectives.

CJ3140 - Criminal Law

Prerequisite: CJ1110 – Introduction to Criminal Justice

Credits: 4

This course is designed to introduce students to the study of crimes and criminal law. We will examine the origins of criminal law, its role in society and the concept of criminal responsibility. In addition, we will discuss the sources of criminal law; definitions within the field; the general principles of criminal responsibility; defenses; the specifics of numerous crimes including homicide, sex offenses, crimes against persons, and property crimes; narcotic and alcohol offenses; punishment; and sentencing options.

CJ3210 - Contemporary Law Enforcement

Prerequisite: CJ1110 – Introduction to Criminal Justice

Credits: 4

This course examines current law enforcement practices including community policing, theories of incarceration, minority group relations, constitutional issues, and the special problems associated with law enforcement in this decade.

Available Electives

Credits: 8

Elective courses available will vary depending upon your individual situation.