Human Resource Management in Criminal Justice Organizations – CJUS 530

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 09/05/2023

Course Description

This class will emphasize applying the theoretical knowledge discussed in class lectures to “real world” situations and events important to human resources management in criminal justice. The student will be expected to demonstrate their knowledge of human resources management in a criminal justice setting through various reading and written exercises. General objectives for students are to learn and be able to apply general management principles and techniques in a public agency office setting. The role of personnel manager in a criminal justice setting is stressed throughout the course, to define and clarify responsibilities, areas of authority, decision-making, and technical knowledge of services, systems, and procedure. While the subject primarily targets personnel managers, all supervisors and managers benefit from effective personnel management skills, knowledge of services, systems, and procedures. While the subject primarily targets personnel, managers, all supervisors and managers benefit from effective personnel management skills, knowledge and abilities.

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

Rationale

At the end of this course, the student will be able to motivate the workforce legally, ethically, and effectively in a criminal justice organization. The student will demonstrate the ability to explain institutional and legal environment of criminal justice organizations and assess practical situations in administrative issues and take principled positions. The student will identify the legal implications of diversity in criminal justice organizations and understand the composition and demographics of a changing society and workforce. The student will design and use hiring and performance measures in criminal justice administration and apply workable theories that can inform leadership and management in criminal justice organizations. Lastly, the student will explain the external and institutional politics of decision-making in criminal justice organizations and apply systematic research processes to novel problems and produce solutions in a written format.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

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)

The student will complete 4 Discussions in this course. The student will post one thread of at least 350 words by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday of the assigned Module: Week. The student must then post 2 replies of at least 175 words by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of the assigned Module: Week. For each thread, students must support their assertions with at least 2 scholarly citations in APA format. Each reply must incorporate at least 1 scholarly citation(s) in APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include scholarly or government resources (the textbook, the Bible, etc.).

Case Study Critiques (2)

The student will be required to write two (2) case study critiques in this course. Both of the two separately assigned Case Study Critique Assignments must be at least three (3) full pages of content (not counting the title, abstract and reference pages) with little room for overage of writing volume. The assignments must be in current APA format and must discuss the major facts of the dilemma as presented. You must advise whether or not you believe the right decision(s) was/were made and/or an even better solution premised by yourself and why either way.

Quizzes (2)

Each quiz will cover all of the Learn material up to and including the Module: Week of the assigned quiz. Each quiz will be open-book/open notes, contain 15 multiple-choice and one essay question, and will have a one-hour and 30-minute time limit.

Both the Midterm Essay Assignment and Final Essay Assignment will require the student to respond to 1 broad-based question about criminal justice administration. In essence, the student will be asked to demonstrate critical thinking about controversial issues in criminal justice administration and to take a position on which course of action would be the best approach for criminal justice administrators. To adequately respond to the question, the student will need to write at least three (3) full pages of content (not counting title, abstract and reference pages) with little room for overage of writing volume and should be in current APA format.