POL – Police & Political Science

This course is designed to introduce students to the components (law enforcement, courts, and corrections) of the criminal justice process; past, present and future operation of criminal (and juvenile) justice; the unique vocabulary of such; and employment opportunities. A contextual basis for a critical understanding of criminal justice in the U.S. is provided. Knowledge is obtained by exploring the nature, types, causes, and methods of dealing with the consequences of crime.

This course will introduce the student to traditional interviewing techniques including communication models, question format, distortions, topic control, inhibitors, facilitators, listening, and types of interviews. The course will continue by examining how interrogation techniques differ from interviewing, methods to obtain successful statements and confessions, and legal issues associated with each

This course introduces the student to the history of policing, functional roles of officers, recruitment and selection processes, careers in law enforcement, the relationship between policing and the law, organization of departments, components and types of organizations, police operations, and current critical issues.

This course focuses on two areas of criminal justice writing. The first area is the development of writing skills for writing investigative reports, search warrants, arrest warrants, and others. The second area is learning how to write an academic paper, including peer reviewed articles, and developing a theme. Students will learn how to use library resources to write a research paper

This course involves a comprehensive study of sources, distinctions and limitations relating to criminal law; the development of criminal law in the United States; the principles of criminal liability, the various crimes and their elements, including common law, the Model Penal Code, selected states, and Ohio Revised Statutes; and criteria considered in determining capacity and defenses. Emphasis is on the role of criminal justice personnel in the criminal law process

This course is a study of the importance of two-way communication between the criminal justice system and the community to foster a working relationship to control crime. A variety of topics is studied, including citizen involvement in crime prevention and police officer interpersonal relations

In this course, students will review the victims and the perpetrators of crimes involving intimate partner violence, child maltreatment and abuse, and elderly abuse. Students in this course focus on addressing the growing literature related to the psychological damage caused by these traumatic events, including mental illness and how it impacts issues involving the criminal, civil, family, and juvenile law areas

An introduction and exposure to the foundations and principles of American Democracy, with a focus on the institutions of American Democracy (Congress, the Presidency, the Judiciary, and the bureaucracy); the processes of American Democracy (public opinion, political parties, voting and elections, interest groups, and the media); civil liberties, civil rights, and political equality; and, domestic, economic, and foreign policies. 

An introduction and exposure to the nature and dynamics of state and local politics and government, with some emphasis on Ohio. The course presents American Federalism as it relates to State/Federal relationships within the context of the American Constitution; the nature of State Constitutions, parties, and elections in the States; State Legislatures; State Governors; and State Judicial Systems. The course analyzes the nature of local governments and municipalities, state and local policy and staffing, and the financing of state and local governments.

This course examines the basic principles of criminal investigation. Coverage includes study of current investigative procedures used in the handling of crime scenes, interviewing and interrogating suspects and witnesses, gathering and preserving evidence, conducting surveillance, report writing, establishing modus operandi, and utilizing technical resources. In addition, this course explores theories, philosophies, and concepts related to prevention and suppression of crime and the apprehension of criminals

This course introduces students to constitutional and procedural considerations related to arrest, search and seizure, exceptions to search warrant requirements, interrogations and confessions, presentation of evidence, and the legal process from arrest through trial

This course examines professional and ethical issues and patterns of behavior common to all components of the criminal justice system, specific issues related to various subsystems of the criminal justice system, and the state of and what can be done to improve our ethical conditions in the future. Students will participate in case scenarios to stimulate discussions and improve problem-solving skills

Students will be assigned to local agencies dealing with corrections for on-site experiences. Must be second-year student, have completed previous course with high academic and professional quality, be approved by faculty and complete an application

Group meetings in which students taking the seminar discuss events and share common concerns. Emphasis is given to making the connection between course work and practice by group discussion of cases presented by each student