Course Descriptions

CRJ 111 Survey of Criminology (3 crs)

Looks at theoretical approaches to criminal behavior and the controversies arising from them. Modern criminal justice policies and the ideologies that lie behind them are applied to the problems of crime control and the sentencing of criminal offenders.

CRJ 112 Introduction to the
Criminal Justice System (3 crs)

Surveys patterns of crime and the processes of the American justice system. Crime, law enforcement, judicial process and corrections are examined from political, sociological and psychological perspectives.

CRJ 212 Criminal Law and Procedure (3 crs)

The basic principles of substantive criminal law are illustrated through analysis of cases. Topics include the elements of crimes against persons and property, the fundamentals of criminal liability and justifications and excuses such as self-defense and insanity. Problems of advocacy at both trial and appellate levels are also explored.

CRJ 215 Law Enforcement (3 crs)

Provides a social science perspective on the training and socialization of police, police corruption, police-community relations and the pressures of police work. The fundamentals of criminal procedure are also covered, including arrest, search and seizure and the use of deadly force. Prerequisite: CRJ 111, 112.

CRJ 220 Cyber Crime (3 crs)

Cyber crime traces technological advances and the adaptation by the criminal element for illegal activities. The student will learn about the difficulties in investigating and tracking the cyber criminal, as well as the complex jurisdiction and legal issues facing the prosecution of a cyber crime. Examples will be explored of unauthorized access into a private computer or informaiton system by hackers, crackers, business competitors and foreign agents traveling on the “Information Highway.”

CRJ 225 Crime and the Media (3 crs)

This course will analyze images of crime and criminal justice as portrayed and presented by the mass media. The focus will primarily be on crime in movies, television and news/newspaper coverage; more specifically, how the media portrays society’s struggle with the crime problem. A major theme of the course is whether media interpretations of crime, which are acknowledged by the public to be accurate, make it more complicated for a true explanation of crime to be understood. Prerequisite: CRJ 111, 112.

CRJ 241 (POS 241) Public Policy (3 crs)

This course will explore the policy making process in the U.S. It will examine how the agendas of policy makers are set, how the policy is formulated and how it is implemented. It will also question who benefits from the policy making process. Topical issues of national policy will be used to illustrate the process. Prerequisite: POS 110.

CRJ 312 The Juvenile Justice System (3 crs)

Analyzes theories of the causes of juvenile crime and the processes of the juvenile justice system, including a critical look at juvenile correctional policies. Prerequisite: CRJ 111, 112.

CRJ 317 Survey of Court Operation & Organization (3 crs)

The course begins with an examination of the structure of courts and how they are administered. Other areas of focus include pretrial procedures, the roles of the prosecutor, the defense, the judge, the sentencing process and the appeal process.

CRJ 318 Occupational Crime (3 crs)

Examination of conduct in violation of the law that is committed through opportunities created in the course of a legal occupation. Methods for counting and regarding occupational crimes and criminals. Theories and explanations of these behaviors. Sanctioning and social control of occupational crime.

CRJ 321 Corrections (3 crs)

Examines American correctional policies and their historical development. Provides a close look at both community-based and institutional corrections, as well as the processes of probation and parole and the legal rights of prisoners. Prerequisite: CRJ 111, 112.

CRJ 325 Theoretical Criminology (3 crs)

This course examines the meaning of criminal behavior
and the different sociological and psychological explanations of criminal behavior. In addition, the student will learn how to critically evaluate theory and its relevance for policy implementation. Prerequisites: CRJ 111, 112.

CRJ 327 (POS 327) Comparative Systems of Justice and Social Control (3 crs)

Introduction to the concepts of justice, law, deviance and social control. Examination of informal and formal systems of justice and social control, including traditional systems, common law, civil law, Marxist law and Islamic law.

CRJ 329 (POS 329) Constitutional Law (3 crs)

Examines the evolution of American national government through the development and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. Judicial review, separation of powers, commerce power, contracts, taxing, the power to make war and due process are among the topics studied. Prerequisite: POS 110.

CRJ 330 Civil Rights & Civil Liberties (3 crs)

A comparison course to Constitutional Law (POS 329), this course analyzes Bill of Rights guarantees of individual freedom, due process and equal protection interpretations, as well as modern policies flowing from civil rights legislation in areas affecting employment, education and welfare benefits.

CRJ 340 Issues in Criminal Justice (3 crs)

Analysis of specific topics, depending on student interest and current importance; examples include the international war on drugs, causes and effects of domestic violence. Prerequisite: CRJ 111, 112.

CRJ 410 Ethical & Philosophic Issues in Criminal Justice     (3 crs)

Examination of selected ethical and philosophic issues currently facing the field of criminology and criminal justice. Issues will be drawn from categories, such as the function of law, the development of moral behavior, individual versus societal rights, ethics and the application of the law within the justice system. Prerequisites: CRJ 111, 112.

CRJ 421 Theories of Management and Administration in Criminal Justice Organizations (3 crs)

Focus on the complex theories and related issues of management and administration within the criminal justice system. Problems of communication, motivation, leadership, organizational effectiveness and innovation. Prerequisites: CRJ 111, 112.

CRJ 473 Internship (variable cr)

A field experience course in which the student is actively involved in the community under the direction of the Social Science Faculty. Enrollment requires the approval of the departmental contact person; a member meets periodically with the student during the internship to examine the relationships between the theoretical concepts found in the assigned readings and the field experience. The number of credits is negotiable.