Topics and Trends in Criminal Justice – CJUS 550

Course Description

This course focuses upon contemporary topics and trends in the criminal justice arena. Topics will include: substantive and procedural changes in criminal law from a federal perspective utilizing case law, professional law enforcement organization reviews, and law review articles. Additionally, the course will identify and evaluate research trends of the National Institute of Justice, i.e., corrections, technology development, homeland security, and white collar/financial crime.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

The specialization in Criminal Justice Administration will prepare this student who has been immersed in a Christian worldview throughout his/her MBA or Human Services program to work in the Criminal Justice Administration field, perform strategic planning, and make informed Criminal Justice Administration decisions. This aligns with the mission of Liberty University; “To develop Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to impact tomorrow’s world.”

This course, CJUS 550, Topics and Trends in Criminal Justice, is intended to provide the student with the opportunity to identify recurring topics and developing trends in the criminal justice arena. Thereafter, the student will be required to evaluate the relevancy, practicality, cost, sustainability, and longevity of proposed solutions for the selected subfield.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings, lecture presentations, and articles

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will participate in 4 Discussions. The student will post an original thread of 400 words or more.  3 sources are required for the original thread. Then, the student must reply to at least 2 peers’ threads in 250 words or more. 2 additional sources are required for each reply.

Research Paper: Thesis Statement and Annotated Bibliography Assignment

In preparation for the Research Paper: Literature Analysis Assignment, each student will submit a Research Paper: Thesis Statement and Annotated Bibliography Assignment. This assignment must include and cite at least 6 scholarly resources that are significant to the topic for the Research Paper: Literature Analysis Assignment. Each resource must be current, relevant, credible, and have significance. There should be a clear and meaningful connection between all the resources.

Research Paper: Biblical Worldview Assignment

For the Research Paper: Biblical Worldview Assignment, the student will write a short essay that critically examines the literature review and constructively identifies the gaps and omissions in the literature where a biblical worldview should be internalized and expressed in the life of the criminal justice professional. The paper must be at least 4 pages. The student make the distinction of where and on what grounds the literature comes up short as it relates to what the research states versus what God has for his people. The student must demonstrate how he/she might integrate the biblical worldview into the problem that he/she is studying. The paper must properly follow current APA style. If a student is struggling with current APA format, please refer to the LUO Writing Center for assistance.

Research Paper: Literature Analysis Assignment

The student will write a 10–12-page Research Paper: Literature Analysis Assignment on a specific problem in criminal justice. It should not be a descriptive paper but one that critically examines the problems and the competing solutions. The student should make an argument if need be. The paper must utilize at least 12 significant, scholarly resources that are significant to the topic (current, relevant, credible, and each carries its weight) with a clear and meaningful connection between all the resources. The student may not cut and paste portions of previously submitted material from the first two assignments. The paper must properly follow current APA style. If a student is struggling with current APA format, please refer to the LUO Writing Center for assistance.

Quizzes (3)

The student will have 3 quizzes during this course. Each quiz will be composed of 25 true/false, multiple-choice, short answer, and essay questions and will have a 1-hour time limit.