College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences 2015-2016 Catalog

189 Track Description: This track will provide specialization training in the behavioral science issues, providing knowledge and skills to those who work in law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. CJI 6210 Law Enforcement and the Mentally Disordered Offender (3 Credits) This course provides students with knowledge of the various forms of mental disorders and disabilities that law enforcement officers will likely see in people during their policing careers. Understanding the origin of various forms of mental illnesses together with practical application for law enforcement officers in how to recognize and techniques for handling victims and offenders will be addressed. Topics include distinguishing behavioral problems such as those caused by temporary situations such as grief or abuse impact from those of a long-lasting and pervasive impact from internal events like delusions and hallucinations, differentiating impulsive behavior caused by immaturity, bi-polar disorder, or brain dysfunction, understanding mental retardation versus psychotic behavior, figuring out who needs to be immediately taken to a detoxification center, and identifying those who might be attempting to avoid consequences of their violent behavior. Focus is also on helping law enforcement officers identify those who need to be deferred into specialty courts such as mental health, drug, and domestic violence courts as well as management of the mentally ill once they are detained. Victim impact will also be discussed. CJI 6220 Police Psychology and Criminology (3 Credits) The purpose of this course is to examine current strategies and issues in the field of police psychology. Specific topics that will be covered include: selection and fitness for duty evaluations, mental health issues in law enforcement (e.g., stress, family problems, critical incident debriefings, and domestic violence), role of psychology in crisis (hostage) negotiations, and supportive functions of the police psychologist in police operations. Tactical operations and police procedures relevant to the work of the police psychologist also will be covered. CJI 6230 Behavioral Criminology (3 Credits) (replaces CJI 6260) This course will familiarize the student with various techniques for analyzing and understanding criminal behavior through crime and crime scene analysis. These techniques include an introduction to the fundamentals of criminal investigative analysis and profiling. Critical thinking skills will be emphasized in crime and crime scene analysis in order to draw logical inferences regarding any underlying psychopathology, motive, criminal history or other dynamics unique to that particular offender. CJI 6240 Police Stress and Mental Health (3 Credits) This course provides and overview of stress management in law enforcement. The course will cover the physiological and psychological basis of the stress response. The physical, emotional, mental, rational, and spiritual signs of distress will be examined. Understanding, recognizing, and coping with the stressors associated with modern policing helps prevent maladaptive responses such as domestic violence and suicide. Lectures and case studies will emphasize the application of successful stress management techniques within a law enforcement context. CJI 6250 Forensic Psychology (3 Credits) This survey course provides students with knowledge of psychology that can be used in law and the criminal justice system. Practical and research applications to psychology will be addressed. Topics include an overview of the legal system, expert witness testimony, assessment of various mental states to meet legal requirements for competency; insanity; abuse syndromes, and other psychological harm; assessment of violent behavior; working