Criminal Justice 470

CRJU 470: Criminal Justice Management

Prerequisites: CRJU 100  

Credit Hours: (3)

This course is designed to explore in considerable depth the major management and organizational issues that impact on criminal justice administration in the United States. A critical view of the major problems and issues confronted by contemporary criminal justice administrators will be considered.

 

Detailed Description of Content of Course

The purpose of this course is to have the students explore and analyze a variety of management issues in the area of criminal justice as confronted by agency managers and administrators. Emphasis will be on the application of principles of organizational theory within the contemporary criminal justice agency. Issues that impact significantly on criminal justice will also be viewed with major focus on administrative considerations. Areas of considerations are as follows:

 

1. Organizational theory with emphasis on bureaucracy
2. Leadership
3. Organizational communication
4. Change Theory
5. Conflict Resolution
6. Motivation, Evaluation & Discipline
7. The Concept and use of Power
8. Planning
9. Contemporary Issues in the field.

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Instruction will consist of a lecture and discussion format. Also students may be required to maintain a journal that will facilitate the learning process. In class, exploratory writing assignments, research papers and oral reports may also be utilized from time to time.

 

Goals and Objectives of the Course

The student will be able to:

 

1. Articulate the major issues confronting criminal justice managers.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the application of administrative theory in criminal justice agencies in the U.S.
3. Identify and articulate those major managerial behaviors most critical for effective agency functioning.
4. Articulate those factors in criminal justice agencies which are most likely to impede the successful implementation of agency initiatives.

 

Assessment Measures

Knowledge and understanding of the material covered in this course, as well as the ability to apply it to real life situations, may be measured using an array of assessment tools that can include tests, formal papers, informal writing assignments and formal oral presentations. Instructors of this course can choose among these assessment tools and may develop others if they deem it appropriate.

 

Other Course Information

The instructor may utilize "field trips" in order to help the student gain practical insights into the various problems and solutions found in contemporary criminal justice agencies.

 

Review and Approval

Date Action Approved By
July 2005, Reviewed by Dr. Isaac Van Patten, Department Chair

May, 2011