Undergraduate Course Descriptions

Criminal Justice

CRJ 105 The Criminal Justice System (4 credits)
An introduction to the U.S. justice system. An analysis of the formal components of the system--law enforcement, prosecution, the courts, and corrections--and the processes by which these functions interrelate. The course is designed to give the student a comprehensive perspective of the system of justice in the U.S.

CRJ/POL 230 The Law, Society, and Polity (4 credits)
An introduction to the notion of law, its function in society, its place in a political system. Examination of the relationship of law to economic, social and political reality; the role of the judicial process in policymaking. Consideration is given to substantive and procedural aspects of civil and criminal law with emphasis on understanding the nature of the law.

CRJ/ POL 231 The History of the Constitution of the United States of America (4 credits)
An examination of the nature, scope, and history of U. S. government as embodied in the U. S. Constitution. Special emphasis on the constitutional limits to and extent of federal power as developed since 1787 through the history of leading constitutional Supreme Court decisions: judicial review, federalism, commerce and taxation, the contract clause, due process, equal protection, and civil liberties. Prerequisites: POL 101 or POL/CRJ 230. Not open to students who have completed POL/CRJ 261

CRJ/POL 232 The Bill of Rights (4 credits)
A Study of the historical, political effects of the Bill of rights has had on law and society in the United States of America; special emphasis on the first amendment, due process, civil and criminal rights, the Civil Rights movement, the Women's movement and gender/sexual equality. Prerequisites: POL 101 and 230 or 231.

CRJ/POL 236 The Judicial Process (4 credits)
Treatment of the workings and problems of the US judicial system with emphasis on the structure and function of the federal and state court systems; criminal procedure and pertinent legal aspects of corrections.

CRJ 237/PJU 230 Interpersonal Negotiation and Mediation (4 credits)
This course introduces basic and intermediate level skills useful for resolving interpersonal conflict and reconciling relationships post trauma. Building on an understanding of conflict theory and communication, the course uses skills of active listening, problem-solving and bargaining in family, work and community conflicts. Emphasis will be placed on training through simulations and role-plays. There will be a review of existing theory and cases of social conflict resolution. Particular attention will be focused on the areas of interest-based negotiation, principled mediation and victim-offender reconciliation.

CRJ 242 Principles of Investigation (2 credits)
The preparation of specialized reports and social histories for both the public and private sector and the development of investigative resources for the collection of required data and information. A study of basic concepts of the investigative process; a review of current policies and standards; an analysis of the roles played by investigators working within the criminal justice system; ethical considerations; the use of technical equipment and various investigative techniques.

CRJ/POL 258 Environmental Issues: Values for the Twenty-First Century (4 credits)
A consideration of the economic, social, and political issues related to environmental policies. Special emphasis on the political, legal, and ethical implications of the use and abuse of natural and social environments.

CRJ/SOC 263 Juvenile Delinquency (4 credits)
The history of the treatment of juvenile offenders, patterns of delinquency, treatment modalities, causative factors, the juvenile justice system, social and cultural influences upon juveniles in modern society, and current theories of juvenile delinquency.

CRJ 268 Victimology (4 credits)
An examination of theory and research of victims of crime, with particular emphasis on victims of child abuse and neglect, domestic violence including spousal abuse, elder abuse and exploitation, rape and other forms of sexual violence. The psychological and physiological reactions of crime victims to trauma and implications for appropriate treatment practices within the criminal justice system will be examined with attention to diversity of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

CRJ 269 Community-Based Corrections (4 credits)
A study of strategies toward justice that can be implemented in the community setting. Includes a focus on rehabilitative approaches in lieu of institutionalization for selected populations as well as a critical analysis of definitions and parameters of the concept of community.

CRJ 280 Police and Modern Society (4 credits)
A review of the historical, philosophical, and legal issues related to the role of the police, both public and private, in a modern democratic society.

CRJ 300 Crime Control and the Private Sector (4 credits)
An in-depth study of the role of the private sector as the primary agent responsible for crime prevention; asset protection; safety; and security at home, in the workplace, and in the marketplace. An analysis of the structure and management of security systems emphasizing related standards and goals, cost effectiveness, professionalization of security personnel, leadership, and decision making. A review of related legal issues and their implications in a democratic society.

CRJ 301 Public Policy and Crime Control (4 credits)
A general review of what public policy is and how it comes into being; the specific review of those federal, state, and local policies that have impact upon the criminal justice system.

CRJ 305 Law, Order: Citizen State (4 credits)
An analysis of public and private institutions and structures affecting the socio-cultural bonds of society and ways of understanding human rights; an examination of the underlying historical, philosophical and legal issues of freedom, security, and citizenship in contemporary social settings.

CRJ/SOC/POL 347 Causes of Collective Violence: Terrorism, Genocide, War (4 credits)
This is an introduction to theories of conflict and war from the inter-group to the international level. Included are causes of terrorism, ethnic conflict and genocide, revolution, and interstate war. This includes an analysis of causes of conflict at four levels: individual, small group, the nation/state and the international system. This course is interdisciplinary, drawing on theories from biology, psychology, sociology, economics and political science. Case studies of contemporary conflicts are utilized to explain and test various theoretical perspectives and to examine the consequences of war.

CRJ 348a Thematic Studies: Violence, Terror and Political Change (4 credits)
Consideration of the nature of violence and terror as instruments of repression and/or change; the consequences of aggression and violence for economic, social, and political life; alternative modes of social change; revolutionary and evolutionary methods for changing and reforming social structures. Prerequisites: ENG 101-102 or 110-111.

CRJ/SOC 348b Thematic Studies: Prisons and Mental Hospitals (4 credits)
An historical review of the notions of criminality and mental illness with a focus on the emergence and development of prisons and mental hospitals. Prerequisites: ENG 101-102 or 110-111.

CRJ/SOC/SWK/POL 352 Research Methods (4 credits)
This course examines research design and measurement techniques useful for understanding social science research. The course is skill based involving students in designing and carrying out an original research project, tabulating and analyzing the data, and writing a research report. Of particular interest are issues of problem definition, conceptualization and operationalization of research questions, sampling, and application of various methodologies from experimental designs to evaluation research. Prerequisites: MTH 140; junior standing or consent of the instructor.

CRJ/SOC 365 Criminology (4 credits)
Study of the nature, distribution and types of crime in society. Theories of crime causation in both historical and contemporary perspectives are examined. Prerequisite: CRJ 105 or consent of instructor.

CRJ 1/2/3/485 Special Topics (4 credits)
Intensive reading and class discussion of selected topics in criminal justice not covered in regular courses.

CRJ 2/3/486 Independent Study (4 credits)
Intensive reading or special research projects for students with advanced standing. Includes Honors Program research. Prerequisites: Consent of instructor, academic advisor, division chairperson.

CRJ 497 Internship (4 or 8 credits)
Supervised internship of 50 hours of activity for each hour of credit in an approved agency setting. Placements are arranged in cooperation with the student and agency representative. Readings from professional publications, which are related to the student's internship, will be assigned and reviewed during regularly scheduled meetings with the instructor. Prerequisites: junior standing and four courses in areas of concentration; successful completion of application requirements for internship. No more than 8 hours of internship credit allowed. Course will be graded Pass/Fail.

CRJ 498 Seminar: Issues in Criminal Justice (4 credits)
Intensive study and analysis of selected current issues in the field of criminal justice. Includes research paper. Prerequisites: Senior standing and completion of at least two courses in criminal justice or consent of instructor.