CRJU 380
Rural Crime and Law Enforcement

1. Catalog Entry

CRJU 380. Rural Crime and Law Enforcement
Three credit hours (3).

Prerequisites: CRJU100 or CRJU150

2. Detailed Description of Course

This course introduces students to the aspects of crime that are unique to rural areas as well as the specific challenges for rural criminal justice agencies with an emphasis on law enforcement organizations.

The topics covered by this course will include:

1. Students will study the historical development of rural cultures’ norms and their relationship to law formation.
2. Students will learn what rural specific crimes are and their theorized explanations. These explications will include the sub-cultural considerations as well as the geographical considerations.
3. Students will learn how rural non-specific crimes vary in trends based on a rural to urban continuum. They will understand the explanations for these trend variations.
4. Self reflection: Students will be able to think critically about the challenges of rural law enforcement agencies and theoretical influences on crime in rural areas.

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

A number of instructional strategies will be employed in this course to enhance student engagement. The following basic strategies will be used in the course, but the instructor is not limited to using only these strategies.

• Lecture
• Case studies-audio/visual and printed
• Student presentations
• Role playing
• Group learning projects
• Oral communication activities
• Written assignments
• Guest speakers

3.   Student Goals and Objectives of the Course

Having completed this course, students will:

• Be familiar with the development of rural culture
• Understand the relationships between population centers and law formation
• Be able to discuss how criminal acts and trends vary by geography and population
• Understand the specific challenges of rural law enforcement agencies
• Be able to recognize personal biases about laws and their enforcement based on rural/non-rural backgrounds
• Be able to engage in critical examination of rural criminal justice issues
• Be able to resolve real and hypothetical dilemmas in criminal justice and justify solutions based on professional norms and community standards
• Be able to apply analytic skills
• Be able to apply verbal and written communication skills

5. Assessment Measures

Assessment measures may include any combination of the following strategies:

• Examinations
• Quizzes
• Presentations
• In class discussion and participation
• Written assignments
• Group participation

6. Other Course Information
7. Approval and Subsequent Reviews