2005 - 2006 Justice Studies Courses

JUST	101	Introduction to Justice Studies	(4)
Overview of the history and purposes of the justice system. Introduction to the principle institutions: courts, prosecution and defense procedures, the police, the juvenile justice system, corrections, and the law. The relationship of justice studies to society and introduction to the issues facing the justices system today.

JUST	110	Police and Society	(4)
Historical and contemporary overview of law enforcement agencies in American society. Topics include the functions of law enforcement as formal social control, the role and organization of police in society, community policing, police culture, multicultural and gender issues, and an introduction to theory of social control. Prerequisite: JUST 101.

JUST	220	American Judicial Process	(4)
An examination of the fundamental and competing principles of jurisprudence and the basic legal institutions involved in the American judicial process. Students will examine the history of the law in the United States, the nature of legal reasoning, the doctrine of precedent, and the principles of statutory interpretation. This course will also introduce the legal fields of contracts, torts, administrative law, and family laws as well as the structure of the legal process, both at the federal and state levels.

JUST	230	Introduction to Corrections	(4)
An examination of the history and theory of punishment, the historical use of incarceration as a penal sanction, and an analysis of organization, administration, and management practices in corrections. The social organization of correctional institutions, including the inmates, correctional officers, correctional treatment staff, and administrators are discussed. Exploration of contemporary research and emerging issues in corrections are an essential part of this course.

JUST	300	Special Topics in Justice Studies	(1-4)
The exploration of issues, problems, and innovations in Justice Studies. Prerequisites will vary with course content.

JUST	340	Juvenile Delinquency	(4)
Explores the phenomenon of juvenile delinquency and society's responses to it by examining the nature, onset, persistence, and desistence of juvenile delinquency. Reviews major theoretical perspectives regarding the phenomena of juvenile delinquency.

JUST	350	Criminal Law	(4)
Critical examination that focuses on the structure, elements, and behavior of the criminal law. In-depth examination of criminal procedure and evidence, including jurisdiction, police powers of search and seizure, the right to counsel and pre-trial and trial procedures. Brief survey of the system of rules and standards by means of which the admissibility of evidence is determined. Close examination of the Constitution and its impact on federal and state criminal statutes, procedure, and evidence is accomplished through the analysis of case law. Prerequisite: JUST 101, 110, 120, 230.

JUST	440	Internship	(1-8)
Student placement in agencies or professional practices. Relevant research project required. Weekly seminar meetings with instructor to review agency progress. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing (for transfer students, at least 15 hours completed at Westminster), minimum 2.5 GPA, completion of the Career Resource Center Internship Workshop, and consent of program director and Career Resource Center Internship Coordinator.

JUST	498	Thesis I	(2)
A thesis is required of all Justice Studies majors. A pragmatic course focusing on the problems and procedures of research design, articulation, and communication leading to the selection of a thesis advisor, completion of a formal research proposal, and a "mock defense" of their research proposal. Offered Fall semesters only.

JUST	499	Thesis II	(2)
Continuation of JUST 498. Students implement their research proposals, under the direction of one or more faculty members, analyze their respective research findings, and present and defend their findings in class. A written copy of the thesis remains with the Justice Studies program. Offered Spring semesters only.