• Cultural criminology

• Visual criminology

• Ethnography

• Domestic terrorism

• International & transnational terrorism

• Suicide bombings

• Genocide

• Child soldiers

• Human rights and humanitarian law

• Media & crime (emphasis on news, music, cinema)

Current research foci:

• Darfur genocide

• Refugees & internally displaced people (Sudan, Chad, Great Lakes region)

• Child soldiers (disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration)

• Suicide bombings

• Torture

• Photoethnography

Political Violence (CRJU40603.080)     [syllabus]

This upper-level undergraduate course provides an in-depth study of collective political violence. It is designed to offer valuable insight into the major theories of political violence and comprehensive analyses of selected case studies. An interdisciplinary approach enables students to focus on the causes of political violence, its various types, manifestations, root causes, and outcomes, as well as the range of instruments that may be used to prevent it. Readings consist of classic works on political violence, as well as key contemporary analyses of major concepts and recent or ongoing conflicts. Case studies include the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Throughout the semester, students will acquire and demonstrate a thorough understanding of the following concepts: macro-, micro-, and meso-level theories of political violence; revolution (theories, key leaders, major cases, etc.); ethno-nationalism and interethnic violent conflicts; domestic, international, and transnational terrorism; genocide; child soldiers; torture; environmental degradation – violent conflict nexus; mental health outcomes of political violence; and peacekeeping, peacemaking, and peace-building activities. [TCU Core Curriculum / GLOBAL AWARENESS]

 

Crime Films (CRJU30223.080)     [syllabus]

This upper-level undergraduate course provides an in-depth study of classical and contemporary film theories, film styles, and various cinematic genres from the singular perspective of crime films. Students will learn to analyze crime films as cultural artifacts and delve into issues related to their reproduction and interpretation of reality, including the mechanics of representation and its effects on individual viewers and society in general.

 

Comparative Criminal Justice (CRJU30223.055)     [syllabus]

This upper-level undergraduate course provides an in-depth comparative study of the criminal justice systems of six model nations: England, France, Germany, China, Japan, and Saudi Arabia. It is designed to offer valuable insight into the many families of law (ancient legal traditions, civil law, common law, socialist law, and Islamic law) and major aspects of the selected systems. Students will learn about the development of the criminal justice processes of these model countries and compare their respective approaches to policing, courts, and corrections. In addition, students will analyze pressing contemporary issues related to international criminal justice, including terrorism, transnational organized crime, juvenile delinquency, and future trends in transnational crime and justice.

 

Terrorism in the Media (CRJU30223.080)     [syllabus]

This upper-level undergraduate course provides an in-depth study of media representations of terrorism. It is designed to offer valuable insight into the complex relationship between terrorism and the mass media. Students will learn about domestic, international, and transnational terrorism from a variety of U.S. and foreign media sources (including newspapers and news magazines, television, radio, films, Internet, music, books, theater, and visual arts). Upon successfully completing this course, students will have acquired and demonstrated a thorough understanding of the following concepts and issues: terrorism (definition, history, objectives and methods, threat and vulnerability assessment, anti-terrorism and counterterrorism, domestic vs. international terrorism); the rhetorical dimensions of terrorism; mass-mediated terrorism pre- and post-9/11; terrorists and their media-centered goals; the impact of global communications on media and terrorist agendas; political violence as media event; terrorism and the politics of fear; cyber-warfare and e-terrorism; and public response/attitudes towards terrorism.

 

Criminal Law & Procedure (CRJU30433.070)     [syllabus]

This upper-level undergraduate course provides a detailed examination of the fundamental principles and key concepts of U.S. criminal law and criminal procedure. Students will learn about the nature, purposes, and limits of criminal law, constitutional limits on criminal law and procedure, the elements of crime and parties to crimes, inchoate crimes, crimes against persons, property crimes, crimes against public order and morals, as well as crimes against the state. Key concepts of criminal procedure will also be covered, including searches and seizures, police interrogation, identification procedures, and court proceedings. Finally, students will delve into the concept of criminal responsibility and learn about the various defenses to criminal liability.

 

American Courts & the Judicial System (CRJU30423.080)     [syllabus]

This upper-level undergraduate course is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the U.S. criminal justice system and the fundamental role of criminal courts in society as a whole. We will examine the history, traditions, and philosophy underlying the criminal court process in order to critically analyze the U.S. criminal justice system. Topics to be discussed include, but are not limited to: law and the criminal justice system, the dual hierarchy of the U.S. legal system, legal actors, criminal prosecution, sentencing options and decisions, as well as specialized courts (appellate, lower, and juvenile courts).

 

Law & Society (CRJU30903)     [syllabus]

This upper-level undergraduate course is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the sociology of law. Students will assess and critically analyze the significance and pervasiveness of law in today's society. Topics to be discussed include, but are not limited to: the interplay between law and society, definitions of the law, types of law, contemporary legal systems, theories of law, organization and functions of law, lawmaking, the legal profession, and the role of sociology in the study of law.