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Criminal Justice (CRJ)

Justice and Community Engagement


Criminal Justice Department


CRJ 101—Criminal Justice


3 cr.


This course focuses on the development of the criminal justice system in a democratic society. Subject matter includes a comprehensive overview of the police, courts, and correctional components of this system. The historical and theoretical development of the criminal justice system and the impact of issues such as technology, transnational terrorism and homeland security on this development are explored. Fulfills Category C.

CRJ 103—Understanding the Juvenile Offender


3 cr.


This course studies the causes, types and prevention of juvenile delinquency. The legal aspects and responsibilities in handling the juvenile offender are thoroughly analyzed and discussed. The course features an overview of the history and theoretical development of the American juvenile justice system as well as the treatment of the juvenile offender. Fulfills Category C.

CRJ 105—Police-Community Relations


3 cr.


The course focuses on the issues relative to policing in a multi-cultural society. The course includes an analysis of prejudice and discrimination as sources of tension between law enforcement officials and private citizens. The role of the Police and the diverse communities they serve is thoroughly explored and critically assessed. Fulfills Category C.

CRJ 106—Patrol Operations


3 cr.


This course explores the purpose, methods, and types of police patrol and operational functions. The course provides an overview of police administration, police patrol and analyzes the relevant issues that impact modern police systems. The course will explore the origins of policing and compare and contrast the major eras of policing with particular emphasis on community policing, problem solving and the CompStat process.

Pre/Corequisite:

CRJ 101

CRJ 107—Industrial and Private Security


3 cr.


This course provides an overview of industrial and private security systems. The methods, procedures and techniques that are utilized in the area of private security are studied and reviewed. Security issues such as loss prevention, disaster preparation, accident control, identity theft, cyber security, fire prevention, business continuity and homeland security are discussed and evaluated. The course provides an in depth analysis and definition relative to the organizational structure of security organizations, proprietary organizations, and contract organizations. Security problems at the industrial, retail and government level are analyzed and assessed.

CRJ 109—Critical Issues in Law Enforcement


3 cr.


This is an overview of current issues in law enforcement that combines both the social science and legal approach to controversial issues in criminal justice and criminology. The course analyzes current issues in law enforcement such as police stress, corruption, brutality, police response to diverse communities, search and seizure, gun control, sentencing, hate groups, terrorism and homeland security.

CRJ 111—Criminology


3 cr.


This course explores the development of criminology as a discipline. Contemporary criminological theories relative to the causes of criminal behavior and victimization are studied. Students are expected to study these sociological, psychological and anthropological explanations of crime and critically discuss their relevancy to the modern world. Fulfills Category C.

CRJ 113—Corrections, Probation and Parole


3 cr.


This course examines the European and American historical roots of penology as well as classic and contemporary corrections, probation and parole models. Rehabilitation, reintegration and alternatives to traditional correctional methods are evaluated. It also explores landmark legal cases involving prisoners' rights, terms and definitions germane to penal systems and issues related to race, ethnicity and gender.

Prerequisite:

CRJ 101

CRJ 115—Constitutional Law and Criminal Procedure


3 cr.


This course provides an analysis of the historical development of the relationship of the states to the Bill of Rights. The effect of the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment on the application of the Bill of Rights to the states is examined through a study of the leading Supreme Court decisions relating to criminal justice. The focus will be on the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, including their historical development and application to the states and their current effect on criminal procedure. Students will review selected court decisions to aid with their understanding of the law.

Prerequisite:

CRJ 101

CRJ 210—Terrorism and Society


3 cr.

(Fall)


This course explores the origins and motivations of modern day terrorists and their activities. Students will examine the societal impact that terrorism has on individuals, communities and nations and will conduct assessments of contemporary terrorist threat levels. Institutional strategies to prevent, deter, mitigate, and respond to terrorist acts will also be scrutinized and students will critically assess the legal, financial, societal and logistical challenges that confront various counterterrorist efforts. Fulfills Category C.

Prerequisite:

CRJ 101 or SOC 101

CRJ 211—Criminal Law


3 cr.


This course presents an overview of the philosophical development of our system of criminal law. The course focuses on the definitions and classification of crimes, criminal liability, and the development of controversial issues in criminal law such as the insanity defense, culpability, and jurisdiction etc. The course utilizes actual court cases to illustrate major legal concepts.

Prerequisite:

CRJ 101

CRJ 213—Police Organization and Administration


3 cr.

(Spring)


This course comprises an analysis of the organizational structure of municipal police departments including an examination of the major divisional components and operational units. The course will focus on the major organizational, managerial and supervisory principles of administration as they relate to law enforcement agencies. The course will also review and critically assess police organizational ethics, corruption, police brutality, investigation and training.

Prerequisite:

CRJ 101

CRJ 215—Criminal Investigation 1


3 cr.


This course provides an overview and introduction to basic criminal investigations. The course will provide instruction on proper note taking, report writing, interviewing techniques, crime scene searches, suspect identification, crime scene photography, composite sketch drawing, and court preparation. The investigative function and the relationship between investigators and the District Attorney are explored. Legal issues relative to the investigative function such as search and seizure, Miranda warnings, informant processing, undercover operations, wiretapping and surveillance are discussed and evaluated.

Prerequisite:

Completion or concurrent enrollment CRJ 101

CRJ 216—Criminal Investigation 2


3 cr.


The investigation of specific crimes and the exploration of methods utilized in specific criminal investigations. The course will explore specific crimes such as arson, narcotics, sex crimes, child abuse, domestic violence, assaults, burglary, larceny, homicide, auto theft, organized crime, domestic and transnational terrorist groups and cyber investigations. An emphasis on the types of evidence that are critical to the successful investigation of the above listed crimes will be thoroughly reviewed and analyzed. Court room preparation of these specific investigations will be thoroughly presented and discussed.

Pre/Corequisite:

CRJ 101

CRJ 226—Criminalistics


2 lect., 2 lab, 3 cr.


This course emphasizes the scientific investigation of crime. The importance of crime scene preservation and laboratory examination of forensic evidence as critical steps in the investigative process are emphasized. The processing of evidence in the field and laboratory are performed during in-class lectures and in laboratory settings. Specific areas that will be covered during this class include crime scene searches; recording and securing forensic evidence; developing and recording latent fingerprints; examination of body fluids, hairs and fibers; and the microscopic examination of evidence.

Prerequisite:

CRJ 101, CRJ 215

CRJ 230—Criminal Justice Internship


3 cr.

(Spring)


This course provides students with an opportunity to acquire practical "hands-on" experience under the direct supervision of professionals in a field or area which interests them. The internship affords opportunities for academically related field work in a wide range of criminal justice, correctional, government agencies, social service programs, cultural organizations, businesses, research and non-profit institutions. The internship requires 80 hours of supervised field work and 15 hours of class work for a total of 95 hours per semester.

Prerequisite:

Student must be a criminal justice major, have completed 30 credits or more, have a CGPA of 2.5 or higher and have the permission of the department chair.