Criminology and Criminal Justice

CCJ1203 Crime and Justice

Social Science (SS)

This introductory course examines the major institutions of the U.S. criminal justice system with a focus on law enforcement, courts, and corrections. The course analyzes the practices and policies of the criminal justice system and introduces students to current issues and controversies within the criminal justice system. Students will explore the roles and responsibilities of crime victims, perpetrators, and the professionals who work in the various criminal justice professions, such as police, investigators, prosecutors, jurorsdefense attorneys, judges, correction, probation and parole officers, as well as victim and witness advocates. Students will engage their critical thinking skills and deepen their understanding of the criminal justice system and the social, political, and legal institutions that influence it. Fall semester. 4 credits

CCJ2100 Law and Criminal Procedure Laws guide our behavior and influence social behavior. In this course, students will examine the law and legal institutions and analyze how criminal law functions and influences society. Students will analyze the complexities of the law from criminological and sociological perspectives that recognize the influence of social inequality in contact and involvement with the police, the courts, and the prison system. Students will critically evaluate the justice, fairness, and equality in adjudicating the law and criminal procedure. This course will enable students to engage in thoughtful and critical analyses of contemporary issues related to the law. Spring semester. 4 credits Prerequisite: SOC1101 CCJ2101 Criminology

Social Science (SS)

This course explores theories about the causes of crime by examining the theoretical underpinnings of criminal behavior and social control. Students analyze theories that label or define behaviors as deviant or criminal from traditional and contemporary perspectives. Students learn to identify, explain, and apply criminological theory to understand the causes of criminality and the functions of the institutions that influence and are influenced by those behaviors. The course includes critical analyses of the underlying assumptions that influence crime theory, crime prevention strategies, and punishment and rehabilitation practices. Spring semester. 4 credits Prerequisite: CCJ1203/SOC1203

CCJ2303 Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice This course introduces students to basic research methods in criminology and criminal justice through a hands-on approach. You will learn how to collect and analyze data of various kinds, specifically surveys and in-depth interviews to empirically study a question related to criminology and criminal justice. You will also learn how to conduct secondary data analysis using the General Social Survey. This “multi-method” approach to a research question will provide different insights into it and allow us to evaluate the appropriateness, advantages, and disadvantages of each method for different types of research questions. You will learn SPSS to conduct basic univariate (measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion) and bivariate (correlations, chi-square tests, T-tests and ANOVAS) analysis of the quantitative data. Spring semester. 4 credits Prerequisites: MATH1117 or MATH1118

CCJ2310 Professional Ethics in Criminology and Criminal Justice This foundational course will consider the origins, the evolution, and the continuing development and expansion of the component segments (law enforcement, the courts, and the corrections system) of the criminal justice system in the United States. The role of discretion and associated decision making by criminal justice professionals will be critically examined, evaluated, and reconsidered. The deliberative processes employed by those charged with ensuring the fairness, justice, and dignity of the criminal justice system will be reviewed and analyzed, particularly as deliberation and discretion have been employed in ways that have marginalized those who have historically been without voice, power, and influence. Through examination of course readings and class discussions, both face-to-face and online, students will consider applications of ethical actions as they pertain to issues of social justice. Fall and Spring semester. 4 credits Prerequisite: CCJ1203/SOC1203

CCJ3207 Juvenile Justice and the Legal Rights of Children This course is designed to allow students to examine and analyze relevant legal and social issues concerning children involved in the juvenile justice system and their caregivers, families, advocates, and human service workers. Students will explore the juvenile justice system along with the underlying causes of children’s involvement in it. Through a review of relevant academic materials and applicable laws, students will better understand how race, class, gender, sexual identity, ethnic origin, mental health, and substance abuse affect juvenile justice-involved children and their families. The course will explore and evaluate social and legal policies for communities and the juvenile justice system that have proven to be effective strategies for ensuring the welfare of children and their families. Spring semester, even years. 4 credits. Prerequsites: SOC1101 or EDUC1111 or PSYCH1501 or CCJ1203/SOC1203 and junior or senior status.

CCJ3212 Criminal Justice Reform: A Critical Inquiry tThis course will critically analyze prior and current criminal justice policies and practices in the United States. This analysis will be grounded in an understanding of the current political and socio-historic climate, including public protests and sharp criticisms of the criminal justice system, particularly its treatment of people of color. In addition, the course will introduce and discuss policies and proposals not yet considered in the law enforcement, corrections, and court systems. For example, mass incarceration, “defunding” the police, elimination of cash bail, charging age for minors, and the removal of police from public schools are among the reforms to be considered and subjected to critical inquiry. Spring semesters. 4 credits Prerequisites: CCJ1203/SOC1203

CCJ4394 Internship in Criminology and Criminal Justice: Field Research in Professional Settings Students participate in a supervised experience in a variety of sites: the courts and justice system, in social service and health care agencies, or in local or international social justice organizations. The students will gain practical experience in professional settings with supervision while preparing an analytical paper based on their experience in the field. Fall and spring semesters. 4 credits Open to second semester juniors (80 credits) and senior criminology and criminal justice majors only. Most major requirements must already be fulfilled.