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Ronald G. Burns, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Criminal Justice Program Director

e-mail: r.burns@tcu.edu

Courses Taught:

Introduction to Criminal Justice

An examination of the history, theory, and structure of the criminal justice system in the United States, with an emphasis on the various components of the criminal justice process including police, the courts, corrections.

Critical Issues in Crime and Justice

An examination of the major controversies and issues confronting the criminal justice system. Emphasis is on development of critical thinking skills and their application to justice-related problems.

Police in a Free Society

An examination of the organization and administration of law enforcement agencies, the function of police, police discretion, ethics, police-community relations, and the future of policing in American society.

Police and the Community

 An examination of the relationship between police and the communities they serve. Topics include police and public opinion, police violence, citizen complaints, politics and the police function, police ethics, police and the media.

Criminal Violence

An examination of the various types of criminal violence and the criminal justice system's responses to it. Discussion topics include domestic violence, mass murder, serial killing, riots, and gang violence.

Drugs, Alcohol, and Crime

History, pharmacology, health consequences, and crime-related aspects of mind-affecting drugs. Emphasis on effects on criminal behavior, the legal response to the problem, and on treatment and prevention of abuse.

Public and Private Security

An overview of the major topics of public and private security. The topics represent a wide variety of concerns, including such areas as historical development, the role of security in society, and current practices and standards.

Research Interests:

Environmental Crime

White Collar Crime

Police Violence

The Social Construction of Crime

Internet Fraud

Professional Memberships:

Texas Association of Criminal Justice Educators, http://www.cj.txstate.edu/TACJE/intro.htm

Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice, www.swacj.org

American Society of Criminology, http://www.asc41.com/

Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, http://www.acjs.org/

National White Collar Crime Research Consortium, http://www.nw3c.org/research/white_collar_crime_consortium.cfm