Active Course List

2024-2025


Creative Writing

Novel workshop, with an emphasis on generating a minimum of 50,000 words of a first draft.

Areas of Interest:
Languages and Literature

This course familiarizes students with various approaches and strategies to the teaching of creative writing. Discussions of classroom practices and pedagogical theories as well as teaching demonstrations prepare students to plan and develop an introductory-level creative writing course.

Areas of Interest:
Languages and Literature
Programs:
Literature and Composition (MA) | Teaching Writing (GC)

Topics relating to creative writing. May be repeated with different subject matter.

Areas of Interest:
Languages and Literature
Programs:
Creative Writing (MFA)

Individual study in writing.

Areas of Interest:
Languages and Literature

Exploration of the business of creative writing and the tools for writing and research in the field.

Areas of Interest:
Languages and Literature
Programs:
Creative Writing (MFA)

Focused study on a topic not covered in regularly scheduled courses.

Areas of Interest:
Languages and Literature

On-site field experience in creative writing, the nature of which is determined by the specific needs of the student's program option.

Areas of Interest:
Languages and Literature
Programs:
Creative Writing (MFA)

Independent capstone experience, guidelines of which are determined by the requirements of a particular program option.

Areas of Interest:
Languages and Literature
Programs:
Creative Writing (MFA)

Criminal Justice

Examines the making of criminal law, the evolution of policing, the adjudication of persons accused of criminal law violations, and the punishment of adult offenders.

Graduation Requirements:
Goal Area 5 - History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences | Goal Area 9 - Ethical and Civic Responsibility | Diverse Cultures - Purple
Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Programs:
Corrections Minor | Criminal Justice Minor | Policing Studies Minor

This course requires students to complete 50 hours of volunteering at a community agency to gain experience and learn how the agency and its staff perform their objectives. The course also requires students to practice their writing skills in assignments designed for reflection on personal strengths and interests, career pursuits, and résumé writing. Class discussions emphasize professional development, ethics, and various issues relevant to criminal justice and corrections. Corrections majors should take this course as early as possible.

Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Programs:
Corrections (BS) | Corrections Minor

This course will introduce students to the numerous agencies and organizations that make up the criminal justice system and its components. A primary goal for this course is to help students prepare for, as well as succeed in, a criminal justice system career.

Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Programs:
Criminal Justice Minor

The foundational tenets of peacekeeping are based on building relations between peace officers and the communities they serve. The student will be introduced to the value of positive interactions between peace officers and the populations they serve, as well as how negative interactions can impact public perception, funding, and trust. Students will also learn ways to incorporate problem-solving strategies and critical analysis on both micro and macro levels to address community and peacekeeping concerns.

Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Programs:
Policing Studies (CERT)

Addresses the justifications and the historical development of punishment, the legal and policy issues concerning capital punishment, and the use of incarceration as a response to crime.

Graduation Requirements:
Goal Area 8 - Global Perspective
Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Programs:
Criminal Justice (BS) | Policing Studies (BS)

The history, development, and application of criminal laws and criminal procedures in the criminal justice system.

Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Programs:
Criminal Justice Minor | Ethnic Studies (BS) Racial/Ethnic Communities in the United States | Policing Studies (CERT) | Policing Studies Minor

An extensive study of the rules, statutes, criminal laws, and traffic laws that directly relate to the role of a peace officer in the State of Minnesota.

Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Programs:
Policing Studies (CERT)

The history, legal aspects of investigation, the evolution of investigations and forensics, procedures of crime investigations, procurement and preservation of evidence and interviewing.

Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Programs:
Policing Studies (CERT)

This course will introduce students to theoretical concepts in sociology, social psychology, psychology, and criminology pertaining to human behavior. Students will gain an understanding of how individual and societal factors influence the behaviors of the people they serve, as well as how those same factors influence the peace officer personality. Students will also be introduced to many of the mental disorders they will encounter in the field so that they may more easily identify those in crisis when in the field and determine the most appropriate course of action to assist them.

Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Programs:
Policing Studies (CERT)

A critical consideration of definitions of juvenile delinquency, emphasis on micro and macro level of struggle in which delinquent behavior takes place, critique of current theories on delinquency, and the juvenile justice response to delinquency from a criminal justice lens.

Graduation Requirements:
Goal Area 5 - History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences | Goal Area 9 - Ethical and Civic Responsibility | Diverse Cultures - Purple
Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Programs:
Corrections Minor | Policing Studies (CERT)

Policing patrol practicals covers the types and methods of patrol and factors involved in one's perception and observation of others. This course includes knowledge and skills to preserve the peace of the community they are going to serve. This course is part of the Policing Skills Certificate and requires approval for registration.

Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Firearms covers the use of deadly force, firearms safety, care and cleaning of service weapons, and firearms shooting principles. The course focuses on students' decision making ability and firearms shooting ability. This course is part of the Policing Skills Certificate and permission is required to register for this course.

Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Crime scene processing and investigation covers a study of responsibilities and duties of officers conducting a preliminary investigation of a crime scene including recognition, preservation, recovery of physical evidence, crime scene photography, sketching and recovery of latent fingerprints. This course also covers proper procedure for interviewing and interrogation of victims, witnesses, and suspects. Permission is required to register; this course is part of the Policing Skills Certificate.

Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Traffic enforcement covers instruction and practical experience in radar operation, DUI detection, accident investigation, evasive driving, and current trends of violations and offenses. This course requires permission to register and is part of the Policing Skills Certificate.

Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

Defensive tactics includes basic techniques on how to best defend against certain common types of attack and the reasonable force necessary to overcome the resistance being offered. This course aids in reducing the likelihood of injury to all parties, minimizing the use of excessive force, and creating a positive self-image with physical and mental conditioning. Permission is required to register for this course and this course is part of the Policing Skills Certificate.

Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

May be used to explore areas of interest not covered in regular courses. A maximum of three hours applicable toward a major or minor in the department with consent of an advisor.

Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security

A sociological perspective to examine the history of drug use and abuse in the United States. Multicultural issues in drug abuse, international drug distribution networks, prevention efforts, and legal issues will be discussed.

Areas of Interest:
Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security
Programs:
Corrections (BS)