Course Descriptions
CRJ 101 - Criminal Justice
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 – 3 credits
CRJ 103 - Understanding the Juvenile Offender
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 – 3 credits
CRJ 105 - Police-Community Relations
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 – 3 credits
CRJ 106 - Patrol Operations
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. Prerequisite/Corequisite: CJ 101
CRJ 109 - Critical Issues in Law Enforcement
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. 3 credits
CRJ 111 - Criminology
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. 3 credits.
CRJ 113 - Corrections, Probation and Parole
A study of the structure and theory of correctional systems. A comprehensive study of correctional theory and the development of the prevention and treatment of adult and juvenile offenders. The course provides an overview of probation, parole, state training schools and community based correctional systems. Prerequisite: CRJ 101 or permission of department - 3 credits
CRJ 115 - Constitutional Law and Criminal Procedure
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. Pre-requisite: CRJ 101 - 3 credits
CRJ 211 - Criminal Law
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 discussion of controversial issues in criminal law such as the insanity defense, culpability and jurisdiction. This course utilizes actual court cases to illustrate major legal concepts. Prerequisite: CRJ 101 - 3 credits
CRJ 213 - Police Organization and Administration
The 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 focuses on the major organizational, managerial and supervisory principles of administration as they relate to law enforcement agencies. The course also reviews and critically assesses police organizational ethics, corruption, police brutality, investigations and training. Prerequisite: CRJ 101 - 3 credits
CRJ 215 – Criminal Investigation I
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- 3 credits
CRJ 216 – Criminal Investigation II
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 international 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 will be presented and discussed. Prerequisite/Corequisite: CRJ 101- 3 credits
CRJ 226 – Criminalistics
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 and the microscopic examination of evidence. Prerequisite: CRJ 101 and CRJ 215 – 3 credits
CRJ 230 – Criminal Justice Internship
This course provides students with an opportunity to acquire practical “hands-on” experience under the direct supervision of professionals in a field or area that 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, completed 30 credits or more with a minimum cumGPA of 2.5 and have the permission of the Department Chair. 3 credits