Criminal Justice Major

The criminal justice major combines required courses in sociology and political science to give a well-rounded understanding of the social, psychological, political and legal issues relevant to the problem of crime. Courses analyze how and why various crimes are committed and focus on the crimes of homicide, arson, rape, burglary, robbery, child abuse, organized crime and white collar crime. In addition, the criminal justice system itself is studied. Issues dealing with the constitutional rights of the accused are dealt with extensively in both the sociology and political science courses. Students may also choose to take courses in the areas of substance abuse, juvenile delinquency, and child abuse. An internship is required of all students in the criminal justice program.

Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts with a major in criminal justice

Required courses:

This course provides a survey of key developments, institutions, and issues in American politics. Topics include the ideas that shaped the original American political system, the presidency; Congress and federal courts; the operation of political parties and interest groups; domestic and foreign policy debates; and contemporary issues such as civil rights and affirmative action.
This course uses key cases to study important doctrines established by the Supreme Court with regard to civil rights and civil liberties. Students will examine the Court's rulings concerning the establishment and free exercise of religion, protection of freedom of speech and of the press, privacy rights (abortion and sexual freedom), the rights of the accused in the criminal justice system, and the law governing racial or sexual discrimination. The course places particular emphasis on various forms of textual interpretation used by individual justices to apply the Constitution in deciding cases and writing opinions.
An introduction to the sociological perspective with a focus on how individual behavior is shaped by the social context. The nature and characteristics of human societies and social life are examined from a perspective known as the "sociological imagination". Topics range from the influence of culture on human behavior, the development of the self, group dynamics, deviance, population, and social inequality.
An examination of different types of crime including a broad range of violent crimes and property crimes. Profiling and criminal typologies will be explored. Specific crimes such as arson, kidnapping, stalking, and homicide will be studied. Case studies of prototypical offenders will be included.
An examination of the causes and effects of juvenile delinquency, the juvenile justice system and treatment programs for the juvenile offender.
Experiential-based course covering fundamental concepts and problems in social science research. Topics include ethics or research on human behavior, design, measurement, sampling, and interviewing and questionnaire construction. There is an emphasis on four research methods: available data, survey research, experiments, and field research.
An examination of the causes of crime. The question of whether or not victimless crimes such as pornography, prostitution and drug use should be considered crimes is explored. This is primarily a theory course for criminal justice majors.
A sociological, historical, and philosophical examination of punishment and the criminal justice system. Rights of the accused, victimology, prisons, and the death penalty are studied.
A critical analysis of selected themes and issues in contemporary sociology. Topics may vary. This course is conducted as a seminar requiring extensive student participation.
† indicates a required course

Six credits of internship in Sociology, Political Science, or Psychology

Two of
A study of mental, emotional and behavioral problems, including alcohol and drug abuse, brain disorders, criminal and psycopathic behavior, neuroses, psychophysiological reactions, psychoses, sexual deviations, subnormal intelligence and suicide.
This course will focus on three critical areas that fall under the umbrella of forensic psychology. First, students will be introduced to the area of legal psychology, including applied empirical research on issues important to the legal system such as eyewitness accuracy, police selection, jury decision making, and legal assumptions about human behavior relevant to the rights of defendants, victims, children, and consumers of mental health services. Second, the area of psychological jurisprudence will be explored by studying efforts to develop a philosophy of law and justice based on psychological values. Third, students will be introduced to the concepts generally thought of as forensic psychology, such as criminal profiling, insanity defense, competence to stand trial, and child custody decisions.
This course involves the application of scientific methods to solving crimes. The course will explore the many ways in which an offender leaves evidence behind at a crime scene and carries evidence away from that crime scene. A range of topics will be covered including, but not limited to: ballistics, DNA, fingerprints, tire prints, odontology and entomology.
The study and analysis of child abuse in its various expressions with additional focus on physical and sexual abuse. Emphasis will be on models and theories of causation, dynamics, treatment and research. Prerequisite: SOC 110. 3 credits.
An examination of the problems associated with substance abuse including a study of the prevalent myths concerning substance abuse, and exploration of the causes of substance abuse and an exploration of how it affects the individual, the family and society as a whole. In addition, the course will examine current methods of intervention and treatment.
This course focuses on the philosophy and current practices in the area of incarceration, community based corrections, probation and parole. Prerequisites: SOC 110 and SOC 245. 3 credits.