Graduate Catalog

2012-2013

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Department website: http://www.nmsu.edu/~crimjust/

(575) 646-3316

jmaupin@nmsu.edu

J. Maupin, department head, Ph.D. (Arizona State) – policy analysis and program evaluation, criminal justice systems; C. Bejarano, Ph.D. (Arizona State) – border violence and justice and border identities, justice, race, class, and gender in the CJ system; J. E. Crowley, Ph.D. (Michigan) – community corrections, victims and gender in criminal justice; R. J. Durán, Ph.D. (Colorado-Boulder) – Mexican-American gangs, race, crime and justice; D. Greene, Ph.D. (John Jay) – corrections, restorative justice, sentencing and punishment policy; D. Keys, Ph.D. (Missouri-Columbia) – penology, narcotic policy; D. Lara, Ph.D. (University of California-Berkeley) – cultural studies, race & ethnicity, border justice; R. Maratea, Ph.D. (Delaware) – Media and Crime, Theory, Inequality and Crime; C. E. Posadas, Ph.D. (Arizona State) – immigration and justice, research methods; L. T. Winfree, Ph.D. (Montana) – theory and theory construction, corrections, juvenile justice

DEGREE: Master of Criminal Justice

The Department of Criminal Justice offers graduate study leading to the Master of Criminal Justice (M.C.J.) degree. Admission to the M.C.J. is competitive and prospective graduate students are expected to have at least a 3.0 undergraduate grade-point-average, coursework in research methods and statistics, and possess a bachelor's degree. Those not meeting these requirements may be admitted conditionally and required to make up deficiencies at the outset of their program of study. Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation and a three – five page essay introducing themselves and addressing the following topic: "the most important change needed in the criminal justice system is…" This essay serves as a sample of written work to be evaluated by the M.C.J. Graduate Committee. The GRE is NOT required for admission into the M.C.J. program. The M.C.J. Graduate Committee reserves the right to require a student to complete additional English writing coursework.

After completion of all core course requirements, candidates declare their intent to pursue a degree option and complete all chosen degree option requirements. There are two M.C.J. degree options: the thesis and focused coursework. The degree options are provided so that students may better match their education with career goals. The thesis option is often used by students interested in pursuing careers in basic and applied criminal justice research or a doctoral degree. The focused coursework option is often used by students pursuing administrative positions within criminal justice agencies. The Thesis Option is only available for Campus-Based students. Online students may only pursue the Focused Coursework Option.

All candidates, regardless of chosen degree option, must complete a final examination. Examination requirements vary by degree option. Please contact the director of the M.C.J. program or consult the Department of Criminal Justice web site http://crimjust.nmsu.edu/degrees.htm for details.

Thesis Option (33 cr.)

Thesis students must submit a thesis proposal to their faculty committee for approval and subsequently complete the approved thesis project. An approved thesis proposal is one wherein the thesis committee determines the student demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the nexus of theory, method, and policy as it applies to the proposed thesis project. At the discretion of the thesis committee the proposal may be considered inadequate and the student is required to revise and resubmit the thesis proposal until the committee determines the proposal is satisfactory. The final examination minimally includes a defense of the completed thesis, but may also include a general examination based upon the candidate's program of study. The minimum coursework requirements are displayed below.

Required Courses (21 cr.)

C J 501, Research Methods in Criminal Justice or,
C J 503, Seminar in Criminal Justice Research Methods or,
C J 555, Advanced Feminist Research Methods	3
C J 510, Advanced Criminal Justice Administrative Systems or,
C J 541, Seminar in Criminal Justice Policy Analysis and Planning or,
C J 542, Seminar in Applied Criminal Justice Analysis	3
C J 511, Nature of Crime	3
C J 514, Advanced Race, Crime, and Justice or,
C J 521, Law and Social Control	3
C J 525, Issues in Ethics, Law, and Criminal Justice	3
C J 599, Master's Thesis	6

General Electives (12 cr.)

Students may not count Internship (CJ 593) or Independent Research (CJ 592) credit toward their elective requirement. No more than three total credits of Directed Readings (CJ 591) coursework may be used as electives; a minimum of 3 of the 9 credit general elective requirement must come from the Department of Criminal Justice. A minor is optional (contact the director of the M.C.J. program or consult the Department of Criminal Justice web site, http://crimjust.nmsu.edu/degrees.htm, for details) and may result in more than 33 total credits for the degree.

Focused Coursework Option (36 cr.)

Focused coursework students must pass a written comprehensive examination following completion of the required courses. Students not passing the examination will be required to wait until the following semester to retake the examination. The minimum course requirements are displayed below.

Required Courses (15 cr.)

C J 501, Research Methods in Criminal Justice or,
C J 503, Seminar in Criminal Justice Research Methods or,
C J 555, Advanced Feminist Research Methods	3
C J 510, Advanced Criminal Justice Administrative Systems or,
C J 541, Seminar in Criminal Justice Policy Analysis and Planning or,
C J 542, Seminar in Applied Criminal Justice Analysis	3
C J 511, Nature of Crime	3
C J 514, Advanced Race, Crime, and Justice or,
C J 521, Law & Social Control	3
C J 525, Issues in Ethics, Law, and Criminal Justice	3

C J Electives (12 cr.)

Electives are to be chosen in consultation with a student's advisor. No more than three total credits of Internship or Directed Readings courses may be used as Criminal Justice electives. Independent Research may not be used as Criminal Justice Electives for this option.

General Electives/Minor (9 cr.)

Electives are to be chosen in consultation with a student's advisor. No more than three credits of Internship or Directed Readings may be used to fulfill the general elective requirement. Independent Research may not be used as Criminal Justice Electives for this option. A minor is optional (contact the director of the M.C.J. program or consult the Department of Criminal Justice web site, http://crimjust.-nmsu.edu/degrees.htm, for details) and may result in more than 36 total credits for the degree.

Online M.C.J. Coursework

Distance-based graduate students taking courses online may also complete the M.C.J. degree. Online criminal justice courses are available only to those admitted to the M.C.J. program as online students, or with permission of the Director of the M.C.J. program. Students desiring to be admitted to the M.C.J. program as online students must declare that intent in writing to the M.C.J. director. Online students may not enroll in campus-based criminal justice courses. Online students may only pursue the Focused Coursework Option. For more information regarding the online M.C.J. degree option, consult the Department of Criminal Justice web page, http://crimjust.nmsu.edu, or contact the Director of the M.C.J. program.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

C J 450. Crime, Justice and Society 3 cr.

Critical analysis of dynamic relationship between the U.S. eco-politico-socio structure, its criminal justice system, and consequent policies and practices. Prerequisite(s): 60 credit hours.

C J 451. Border Violence and Justice 3 cr.

Critical analysis of violence and systems of justice along border regions. Examines causes and correlates of violence experienced by those living in border regions and the social responses to that violence.

C J 452. Upper World Crime 3 cr.

Corporate crime, white collar crime and political abuse and corruption; executive and corporate criminal behavior, and violations of the public trust by elected and appointed officials. Prerequisite: restricted to majors or consent of instructor.

C J 453. Women and Justice 3 cr.

Critical analysis of the impact of the criminal justice system, race and class upon the lives of women. Restricted to majors.

C J 454. Human Trafficking 3 cr.

Study of global human trafficking, its causes and costs, and mitigation strategies. Restricted to CJ, GOVT, SOC, W S, S WK majors.

C J 455. Feminist Research Methods 3 cr.

Feminist research practices and methodologies utilized in various disciplines. Definitions of research, what constitutes valid inquiry, how research can be feminist, and what it means to do interdisciplinary work. Same as W S 455.

C J 480. Criminal Justice Planning and Crime Analysis 3 cr.

Basic working tools in gathering data for the purpose of developing criminal justice plans and programs. Planning criteria, program implementation strategies, and evaluation requirements. Prerequisite: restricted to majors or consent of instructor.

C J 481. Hate Crimes and Domestic Terrorism 3 cr.

Overview of religious and political extremism in the U.S., with a particular focus on the roots and practices of extremist groups and their doctrines. Prerequisite: CJ 380 or consent of instructor.

C J 482. Transnational Terrorism 3 cr.

Overview of international terrorism and its sociological, political, historical, and religious causes, with a particular focus on current terrorism.

C J 501. Research Methods in Criminal Justice 3 cr.

Research design, methods of data collection and analysis, and preparation of research reports. Prerequisite: C J major or consent of instructor. Restricted to majors.

C J 502. Criminal Justice Statistics 3 cr.

Intermediate level statistical techniques applied to criminal justice data. Prerequisite: C J major or consent of instructor. Restricted to majors.

C J 503. Seminar in Criminal Justice Research Methods 3 cr.

Seminar in specific research methods as applied to criminal justice topics, as announced in the Schedule of Classes. Prerequisite: C J 501. May be repeated under different subtitles for a maximum of 6 credits.

C J 510. Advanced Criminal Justice Administrative Systems 3 cr.

Structure and operations of criminal justice agencies and institutions; relationships of structure and operations to practical police, courts, and corrections problems.

C J 511. Nature of Crime 3 cr.

Defining and measuring crime, crime causation, and criminal behavior systems. Prerequisite: C J major or consent of instructor. Restricted to majors.

C J 512. Seminar in Theories and Theory Construction 3 cr.

Major theories of crime, alternative approaches to an integration of the various perspectives, and the development of causal models. Topics announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated under different subtitles for a maximum of 6 credits.

C J 514. Advanced Race, Crime, and Justice 3 cr.

Advanced analysis of the historical and contemporary relationship between race and crime in the United States with emphasis upon human equality and fairness. Overview of racial and ethnic social categorizations and how they impact law and order.

C J 515. A Course on Punishment 3 cr.

Exploration and analysis of the idea and practice of punishment through a variety of philosophical perspectives, seeking to understand its moral and practical viability as employed in contemporary society, including its application within the criminal justice system.

C J 518. Documentary Production Stories of Justice I 3 cr.

Introductory examination of documentary genre. Survey of documentary film making theory and history. Creation of proposal for student documentary project. Restricted to Main campus only. Crosslisted with C J 418 and CMI 318

C J 519. Documentary Production Stories of Justice II 3 cr.

Follow up to C J 518. Students shoot, edit, and publish work from proposal of C J 518. Prerequisite(s): C J 518. Restricted to C J, ANVE, and DFM majors. Taugth with C J 419

C J 520. Advanced Girls, Women & Crime 3 cr.

Advanced critical social science analysis of concepts of violence and justice as experienced by women impacted by the criminal justice system. Restricted to C J, W S majors. Crosslisted with: W S 520

C J 521. Law and Social Control 3 cr.

The development and implementation of criminal law. Consideration of functionalist, conflict, and interpretive theories and research. Prerequisite: C J major or consent of instructor. Restricted to majors.

C J 522. Legal Issues in Criminal Justice 3 cr.

Major legal concerns in the formulation and implementation of criminal law.

C J 523. Seminar in Criminal Law 3 cr.

Major theoretical orientations, specific areas of research, and contemporary policy issues. Content will vary and will be listed in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated under different subtitles for unlimited credit.

C J 524. Forensic Law 3 cr.

Rules and policy implications related to the use of scientific information in legal process. Prerequisite: C J major or consent of instructor. Restricted to majors.

C J 525. Issues in Ethics, Law, and Criminal Justice 3 cr.

Examination of the key ethical and decision-making dilemmas facing professionals working in the fields of law and criminal justice. Restricted to majors.

C J 526. Advanced Race & Environmental Justice 3 cr.

Advanced analysis of concepts of justice and social justice responses across the 20th and 21st centuries to environmental degradation affecting communities of differing racial and ethnic backgrounds.

C J 527. Advanced Race & Crime in Film 3 cr.

Advanced critical analysis of film where messages relating race and crime are present, with emphasis on how this imagery informs problem definition, policies, and practice within the criminal justice system.

C J 532. Advanced Issues in Criminal Justice (f, s, sum) 3 cr.

Seminar on problems and conflicts encountered in major criminal justice issues. Topics announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated under different subtitles for unlimited credit.

C J 533. Seminar in Criminal Justice Administration 3 cr.

Organizational and administrative issues currently confronting criminal justice agencies. Different subtitles (police, courts, and corrections) to be announced in the Schedule of Classes. May be repeated under different subtitles for unlimited credit.

C J 535. Advanced Political Penology 3 cr.

Advanced comparative analysis of incarceration and sanctions as punishment for crimes of conscience, religious intolerance, and dissidence.

C J 540. World Criminal Justice Systems 3 cr.

Explores cross and trans-national nature of crime in the 21st century. Emphasize various philosophies, legal systems and justice responses to crime and criminals yielding a global view of criminal justice theories and practices. Restricted to majors.

C J 541. Seminar in Criminal Justice Policy Analysis and Planning 3 cr.

Seminar on policy development, planning and implementation processes in criminal justice. Links formal policy goals as they relate to theory and outcomes. Topics announced in the Schedule of Classes. Prerequisite: C J major or consent of instructor. Restricted to majors.

C J 542. Seminar in Applied Criminal Justice Analysis 3 cr.

Identification of issues and techniques for assessing the effectiveness of specific programs in relation to the operation of criminal justice agencies or clients. Prerequisites: C J 501 or C J 502, and either C J major or consent of instructor. Restricted to majors.

C J 545. Advanced Victimology 3 cr.

Study of risk factors in crime victimization, the impact of crimes upon victims, and the role of the victim in the criminal justice system. Consideration of the impact of criminal justice policy on victim outcomes. Same as W S 545.

C J 546. Psychology and the Justice System 3 cr.

Advanced analysis of psychological underpinnings of criminal behavior and the implications of these psychological principles for criminal justice policy. Restricted to majors.

C J 547. Advanced Sex Crimes 3 cr.

Advanced study of dynamics of sex crimes for victims and offenders plus consideration of the legl and correction systems' response to sex crimes. Restricted to CJ, GOVT, SOC, W S, S WK majors.

C J 554. Advanced Human Trafficking 3 cr.

Advanced study of global human trafficking, its causes and costs, and mitigation strategies. Restricted to C J, GOVT, SOC, W S, S WK majors.

C J 555. Advanced Feminist Research Methods 3 cr.

Advanced feminist research practices and methodologies utilized in various disciplines. Definitions of research, what constitutes valid inquiry, how research can be feminist, and what it means to do interdisciplinary work. Same as W S 555.

C J 560. Juvenile Justice Systems 3 cr.

Policy development and operations in police, court, and correctional agencies in response to juveniles. Analysis of programs designed to identify, prevent and treat juvenile offenders. CJ 570. Probation and Parole 3 cr. Advanced analysis of goals, theories and practices of all forms of correction in the community, including probation, parole, plus other intermediate sanctions. Restricted to majors.

C J 570. Probation and Parole 3 cr.

Advanced analysis of goals, theories, and practices of all forms of correction in the community, including probation, parole, plus other intermediate sanctions. Restricted to majors.

C J 580. Advanced Issues in Terrorism 3 cr.

Advanced analysis of legal, cultural and policy issues in contemporary terrorism.

C J 581. Community Policing 3 cr.

Overview and analysis of community policing issues from various perspectives. Analysis of strategies that facilitate police and community collaboration. Restricted to majors.

C J 582. Advanced International Terrorism 3 cr.

Advanced analysis of Islamic terrorism worldwide, tracing its development as a form asymmetric warfare from the seventh century through the present, and U.S. and International governmental responses.

C J 586. Hate Crimes, Domestic Terrorism and Policy Analysis 3 cr.

Advanced analysis of religious and political extremism in the U.S. from the Civil War through the present. Comparison of hate crimes with terrorists acts, and U.S. federal policies concerning these activities.

C J 591. Directed Readings in Criminal Justice 3 cr.

Supervised review of literature in specialized areas of the nature of crime, law and social control, and criminal justice administration. Consent of instructor required.

C J 592. Independent Research 1-3 cr.

Design and execution of a criminal justice research project. Requires a written paper in standard format, including literature review, hypotheses, methodology, findings, and conclusions.

C J 593. Internship 3-6 cr.

Supervised placement in an applied or research setting in criminal justice. An in-depth written report of the project is required. Prerequisites: introductory graduate course in the area of the internship and consent of the internship supervisor. Restricted to C J majors. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. Graded S/U.

C J 599. Master's Thesis 0-88 cr.

Thesis.