Justice Administration

An introduction to the three components of the criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections. The course includes the nature and history of criminal justice in society, development of criminal law, the extent and measurement of crime, crime prevention and control, and crime victims. For each area, current research, theoretical developments, and contemporary issues will be addressed.

Many people enjoy watching true crime documentaries on Netflix or listening to a good episode of a true crime podcast. The popularity of this type of entertainment has created a boom in the production of such media. This course will present examples of true crime media and examine how they portray the case and/or the criminal justice system, focusing especially on accuracies and inaccuracies. We will also examine and discuss any accuracies and inaccuracies about the justice system portrayed in the piece of media. We will also examine the broader effects of this type of media on how we perceive the effectiveness of the criminal justice system. We will also discuss potential reforms to the criminal justice system that could create a more fair and just system to address the problems exposed in the media.

This course will introduce participants to the peacemaking circle process. Topics will include: foundational values and philosophy of peacemaking circles, conflict as opportunity to build relationships, creating safe, respectful space for dialog, consensus decision making, structure of the circle process, facilitation of the circle process, practical applications of circle process, and problems and challenges in circles. This course will use the peacemaking circle process as the primary form of group work.

This course will introduce participants to how conferencing and circle process can be used to resolve conflicts in the workplace. Topics will include: conflict resolution, foundational values and philosophy of conferencing and peacemaking circles, conflict as opportunity to build relationships, creating safe, respectful space for dialog, facilitation of the circle process, practical applications of circle process, and problems and challenges in circles. This course will use the circle process as the primary form of group work.

This course covers theoretical and practical problems and issues in the relationship between policing agencies and the communities, along with research relevant to these areas. Problem-oriented and community problem solving techniques will be emphasized.

This course provides critical analyses of contemporary correctional philosophy, theory, and practice, all on the basis of currently available research. Prisons, probation, parole, work-release, halfway houses, community-based corrections programs and other practices are examined historically and in current settings. Other topics include detainee treatment and classification issues, as well as roles of correctional personnel.

An introduction to private security as it relates to business and the criminal justice system. A survey of security theory and techniques is applied to a variety of businesses, institutional and industrial settings. In addition to the historical evolution and modern rationale for security, this course addresses the technological tools of private security, the importance of security to protecting assets and profit, and loss prevention management in proprietary and governmental institutions. The work of administrative personnel and physical aspects of the security field will also be presented.

This course focuses on Motivational Interviewing (Ml) skills; Ml is an evidence-based practice used in the field of Corrections, as well as counseling settings, to support individual autonomy and elicit an individuals intrinsic motivation for change. Through role-playing and skill-building exercises, participants will learn how to use motivational interviewing skills to break through ambivalence, identify change and sustain talk while reinforcing and supporting behavior change. At the end of the course, participants will be able to explain the concepts of motivational interviewing, engage in this guided conversation process and understand how this style of conversation is used in the criminal justice system.

This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to experience a special or experimental curriculum enrichment course.

This course will provide students with the knowledge of issues involving women in the justice system including, but not limited to, legal professionals, victims, and offenders. Students will examine various crimes, defenses, and treatment options in the context of the female offender.

This course introduces students to victimology, which is a scientific study of crime victims and their roles. The course will provide students with knowledge of the role of victims in crimes, their treatment by the criminal justice system, their decisions to report crimes and help prosecute offenders, victim assistance, and victim compensation.

Just as CPR helps you know what to do in case someone is having a heart attack, Adult Mental Health First Aid helps you know what to do to help someone having a mental health or substance-abuse related crisis. In this course, you will learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and substance abuse concerns, strategies for helping someone suffering in crisis and where to tum for assistance. After your successful conclusion of this course, you will be certified as an Adult Mental Health First Aid Responder.

This course will examine the use of the American criminal justice system to address what are, inherently social problems. Topics will include the over-representation of minorities and the poor in the criminal justice system, racial profiling as a method of controlling crime, social contributors to crime, and systemic discrimination against the poor and minorities. Evidence based practices which reduce crime will be examined as well as ways of reducing barriers to effective participation in society by all people.

Just as CPR helps you know what to do in case someone is having a heart attack, Youth Mental Health First Aid helps you know what to do to help someone having a mental health or substance-abuse related crisis. In this course, you will learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and substance abuse concerns, strategies for helping someone suffering in crisis and where to tum for assistance. After your successful conclusion of this course, you will be certified as a Youth Mental Health First Aid Responder.

A critical analysis of theories of delinquency and juvenile justice; crime statistics; significant research findings; evidence based assessment of what works and what doesnt; the juvenile justice system; juvenile court cases; street kids; the family, child abuse, school as a contributing factor, drug use, youth gangs, school shootings, prevention.

Explanation and critical analysis of crime and criminal behavior. This course examines measuring crime, violent crime, crimes against property, criminal careers, terrorism, and criminological and other theories of crime. Special attention is given to what works, what doesnt, significant research, meaningful theoretical insights, restorative justice, prevention, and promising programs.

A critical analysis of corporate and white collar crime including crimes against consumers, unsafe products, corporate fraud, financial and banking crimes, environmental crimes, corruption of government officials and government crime. An emphasis is placed on the differences between white collar crime and other varieties of crime including enforcement and the ability of corporate criminals to influence lawmakers. The course also examines how corporations use public relations approaches to minimize their wrongdoings and rebuild their public images following criminal charges.

This course will provide students with an understanding of the statistical analysis and research methods needed for the criminal justice field such as program evaluation, grant writing and understanding and analyzing evidence-based practices. The required preparation is MATH 110 or three years of high school mathematics. This course is designed to be taken in a students junior year.

This course will focus on the rules of criminal procedure for the State of Minnesota and the federal government, and their relationship within the criminal justice system.

This course deals with the origins and workings of criminal groups such as street gangs, the Mafia, criminal conspiracies, and crime networks. Particular attention will be paid to the role that crime plays in maintaining group solidarity and in creating a self-identity for individuals within the criminal group.

This course applies theories and develops management skills for administering court processes, police organizations, and correctional agencies and institutions. Topics include designing and implementing effective programs, managing social and organizational change and the organizational culture, motivation, team building, ethical and civil rights issues, managing men and women, program evaluation, and working with the media, politicians, and the public. Special attention will be given to implementing community policing, unified court systems and court reform including restorative justice, problem solving courts and community courts, and creating secure and effective correctional institutions for inmates and staff.

This course will expand students understanding of criminal law through analysis and application of core concepts. Students will become familiar with the Minnesota Statutes and its use in the court process.

The course focuses on restorative practices for rehabilitation and prevention, such as circle sentencing, problem-solving courts, panels and peacekeeping circles. This course investigates the strengths of the traditional criminal justice system as well as its failings and discuss the potential benefits of taking a community-oriented approach to rehabilitation and prevention.

This course is designed to provide upper-level students with an opportunity to experience a special or experimental curriculum enrichment course.

Independent study and research within the Justice Administration area. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

This course serves as the capstone course for the Justice Administration major. The seminar course integrates students accumulated knowledge of history, concepts, theory, applications, research, and presentations in the senior year.

This course allows the Justice Administration major or Criminal Justice minor to explore the actual day-to-day operations of a specific career or field of interest by participating with a professional in that occupation. This opportunity allows the student to explore career options and gain general work experience in the chosen area of the criminal justice system.