CRIM - Criminal Justice (CRIM)

The structure and function of the criminal justice system, including an analysis of values underlying two models of the criminal process. Role of police, constitutional rights, role of the attorney, courts and corrections, operation of the bail system, trial, and role of the judge.

The structure and function of the criminal justice system, including an analysis of values underlying two models of the criminal process. Role of police, constitutional rights, role of the attorney, courts and corrections, operation of the bail system, trial and role of the judge.

Consideration of victims of crime. Interaction between victim and offender in the criminal encounter, the risks of victimization, victim reactions to crime, the effect of victim characteristics on the legal system and a survey of victim-oriented alternatives to conventional criminal justice.

History and changing role of the police. Variety of sociological perspectives used to examine recruitment and socialization of police personnel. Meaning and functions of police work, police community relations, interactions between police departments and other official organizations (courts, prisons, schools, mental hospitals), police malpractice and control over police work. Comparison of police work in other modern societies, evaluation of various strategies for changing the role and structure of police work.

Analysis of different philosophies of treatment and current techniques. Past correctional approaches surveyed to understand the changes made in institutionalized handling of a major social problem. Economic, cultural and political trends as the social setting in which society attempts to fashion a "practical" manner of treatment.

Examines the phenomenon of crime from a sociological perspective. Meaning of crime; official and unofficial counts of crime; social correlates of crime; lifestyles and behavior patterns of criminals. Critical analysis of various theoretical frameworks for explaining crime.

Examines patterns of delinquent behavior among youth. The definition and measurement of delinquency; influence of kinship; educational and other institutions on delinquency; social class and sub-cultural influences on delinquency; identification and processing of delinquents by official control agencies.

Study of community release movement in the U.S. Examination of parole and penal systems and their relationship to pre-prison identity and future behavior. Reentry into this system; relationship between self-concept and status passage, and notions of parole and probation success and failure.

Examination of middle stages of criminal justice system; prosecutor's decision to charge, pretrial procedures, criminal trial and sentencing. Discussion of central roles, case flow, current developments and defendant's legal rights at middle stage of criminal justice system.

Basic exposure to the skills and understanding relied upon in criminological research. Concepts such as validity, reliability, research logic, design development and theory testing are addressed. Students also are exposed to elementary data analysis. Prerequisites: Two of the following courses: SOCI 1101, PSYC 1101, ANTH 1202 and MATH 1203; or permission of the instructor.

Exploration of contemporary criminal justice administration with emphasis on leadership and management skills, as well as organizational theory. Discussion of management principles, communication, motivation of personnel, leadership and power, organizational conflict, decision making, organizational effectiveness, and innovation and change.

Several major theories of violent crime will be explored through using the medium of violent films. The violent crime theories that will be examined include Biological Defectiveness, Psycho-analytical, Frustration-Aggression, Abnormal Personality, Violentization, Poverty and Culture. The violent films that will be viewed to enliven and flesh out the finer points of these theories’ different explanations will include “Bad Seed,” “Natural Born Killers,” “In Cold Blood,” “Blue Velvet,” “Clock Work Orange,” “Falling Down,” and “Juice”.

Qualitative methods of criminological research, including criminological "field methods" and "ethnography." Four principle areas: (1) the distinctive logic or philosophy underlying the use of qualitative methods, (2) the different qualitative methods for collecting data, (3) the principal means for qualitatively analyzing data, and (4) criteria for evaluating qualitative research. Prerequisites: Two of the following courses: SOCI 1101, PSYC 1101, ANTH 1202 and MATH 1101 or permission of instructor.

Explorations of the topic of violence from a number of social science perspectives. Particular attention to the "process" of becoming violent, and the policy implications of violent behavior in the United States.

Major sociological, psychological, psychiatric, biological, as well as interpretative theories of criminal behavior. The assumptions underlying the explanations that these theories offer, the empirical evidence supporting and contradicting them, and the attendant solutions that each implies. The different "images" of the "criminal" and "criminal action" upon which they operate are contrasted with each other, and the criminal law.

Internships or work experience in local, state, or federal criminal justice institutions.

Internships or work experience in local, state, or federal criminal justice institutions. (See Co-Op Adviser)

Internships or work experience in local, state, or federal criminal justice institutions. (See Co-Op Adviser)

The nature of criminal homicide and its investigation are examined from both a legalistic and social scientific perspective. In part I of the course, criminal homicide is legally distinguished from non-criminal homicide, and five different types of criminal homicide are legally distinguished from each other: capital murder, first and second-degree murder, and voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. In addition, the main legal defenses to criminal homicide (immaturity, insanity, intoxication, self-defense, prevention of dangerous felony, and duress) are reviewed. In part II, various social scientific schemes for classifying and investigating homicide offenses and offenders, including the FBI’s standardized system, are critically compared. In comparing these different classification systems, actual death investigation reports, autopsies, toxicological and ballistic reports, crime scene stills and sketches, and trial court transcripts are utilized. Students will be required to classify homicide offenses and offenders on the basis of the different schemes and methods reviewed.

Selected topics are explored in conjunction with the guidance and direction of the instructor. In instances where the topics change, additional independent study may be taken for a maximum of 6 credits.

Selected topics are explored in conjunction with the guidance and direction of the instructor. In instances where the topics change, additional independent study may be taken for a maximum of 6 credits.

Selected topics are explored in conjunction with the guidance and direction of the instructor. In instances where the topics change, additional independent study may be taken for a maximum of 6 credits.

Selected topics are explored in conjunction with the guidance and direction of the instructor. In instances where the topics change, additional independent study may be taken for a maximum of 6 credits.

Instruction in important emerging areas in the field of crime and justice study. Course content and techniques draw on the expertise of researchers and writers across a wide spectrum of interests. Prerequisite: Completion of 30 program credits or permission of the instructor.

Instruction in important emerging areas in the field of crime and justice study. Course content and techniques draw on the expertise of researchers and writers across a wide spectrum of interests. Prerequisite: Completion of 30 program credits or permission of the instructor.

A capstone course that consolidates the theoretical and methodological knowledge and skills acquired as a major. Major research report and oral presentation required.