Biology - Major in Biology Program

A sociological, historical, and philosophical examination of punishment and the criminal justice system. Included will be a summary of the role and impact of the courts, police, and corrections within our criminal justice system. Contemporary issues to include the death penalty, sentencing of juveniles, reentry and incarceration will be examined. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry. 3 credits.

Emphasis is placed on professional integrity and leadership skills that support laws, policies and procedures in criminal justice. Students will learn the significance of ethics and to reflect on matters pertinent to criminal justice. Additional topics may include use of deadly force, civilian review boards and police corruption. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry. Prerequisite: CRJ 110. 3 credits.

This course will provide an in-depth analysis of the history of corrections in America. It will include current contemporary issues pertaining to punishment, rehabilitation, restorative justice, correctional administration, policies and procedures and the prison client. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry. Prerequisite: CRJ 110. 3 credits.

An examination of the causes and effects of juvenile delinquency, the juvenile justice system and treatment programs for the juvenile offender. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry. Prerequisite: CRJ 110. 3 credits.

This course is an overview of the process of policing, police behavior, organization, operations and historical perspectives. The relationship between the police and the public is examined, as are contemporary issues in the field of law enforcement. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry. Prerequisites: CRJ 110. 3 credits.

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. Prerequisite: SOC or CRJ 110, plus 9 credits of SOC/CRJ coursework at the 200-level or higher. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with SOC 300)

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. Prerequisite: SOC 110 and 9 credits of Sociology at the 200-level or higher, or POL 110, 215, and 245. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with CRJ 300)

This laboratory course builds skills in basic data management, statistical analysis, and interpretation of statistical information. The course reviews how to interpret both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The skills acquired in this lab are employed in research methods to aide students in the design, analysis, and presentation of their research project. Fulfills requirement: Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisite: CRJ 300. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with SOC 301)

This laboratory course builds skills in basic data management, statistical analysis, and interpretation of statistical information. The course reviews how to interpret both descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The skills acquired in this lab are employed in research methods to aide students in the design, analysis, and presentation of their research project. Fulfills requirement: Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisite: SOC 300, or permission of instructor. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with CRJ 301)

This course will focus on the criminological framework of the study of crime. It will offer an analytical structure in order to understand the facts and criminological patterns and trends. It will explore the field of criminological explanation to include definitions of crime, criminal activity, and how theories are integrated within the criminal justice system. It will also examine the extent and nature of victimization. Prerequisite: CRJ 110. 3 credits.

This course covers the rights of the accused included in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th and 14th Amendments. It deals with legal procedures and their applicability to common criminal justice situations and issues. In additional to examining the legal procedures relevant to police--citizen contacts, Supreme Court decisions affecting law enforcement will be discussed. Topics covered include search and seizure, search warrants, stop and frisk, interviews, interrogations and other legal decisions affording legal protection to the accused. Prerequisite: CRJ 110. 3 credits.

A critical analysis of the selected topic: Inequality. This course will specifically focus on poverty and the impact of adverse child experiences on human outcomes. The course will be conducted as a seminar with a significant portion using a service learning format. This is a capstone course, required of all graduating Sociology and Criminal Justice majors. Fulfills requirement: Immersive Experience. Prerequisite: CRJ 110. 3 credits.

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. Skill development includes research and communication. Fulfills requirement: Social Scientific Inquiry,Human Diversity. 3 credits.

This course will explore the roles of women in the criminal justice system and examine gender issues in relation to the practitioner, the offender, the victim and within criminal justice agencies. This course will further students' understanding of the issues related to gender and the criminal justice system. Prerequisite: CRJ 110. 3 credits.

This course will examine crime victims, their experiences, and the role in the criminal justice system. Students will explore theories of victimization and develop the knowledge and skills necessary to engage ethically and effectively with crime victims. Prerequisite: CRJ 110. 3 credits.

This course examines the theories and practices that shape sentencing in the CJ system. Students will analyze sentenching philosophies, guidelines, judicial discretion, disparities and alternatives to incarceration. Prerequisite: CRJ 110. 3 credits.

CRJ 275 Comparative Criminal Justice is a 4-week summer study abroad program at Maastricht University in the Netherlands. Students will learn new perspectives in law enforcement, courts, and corrections and how international criminal justice systems compare with the US criminal justice system. Fulfills requirement: Human Diversity. 3 credits.

This course focuses on the relationship between crime and public policy. Students will examine how laws and policies are developed, implementer and evaluated. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based policy analysis, the role of politics and ideology and how policy decision impact communities. Prerequisite: CRJ 110. 3 credits.

This course provides students with an in-depth discussion of corrections management and prisoner's rights. Constitutional protections and the impact on prison operations are examined. First, Fourth, Fifth and Eighth Amendment rights of the incarcerated are examined. Due Process and other rights of incarcerated populations are discussed. Prerequisite: CRJ 110 and CRJ 260. 3 credits.

This course examines the phenomenon of wrongful convictions in the criminal justice system. Through a multidisciplinary approach, students will explore the various factors contributing to wrongful convictions, their consequences for individuals and society, and the efforts to prevent and rectify them. The course will also delve into the legal, ethical, and social implications of wrongful convictions and potential remedies in the criminal justice system. Students will review post-conviction cases of currently incarcerated offenders who have applied to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office for relief Fulfills requirement: Civic Engagement. Prerequisite: CRJ 110, and 336. Restricted to CRJ majors only; non-majors permitted by instructor. 3 credits.

Field experience for sociology or criminal justice majors. Fulfills requirement: Immersive Experience. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisites: CRJ 110 or SOC 110. 1-12 credits.

Field experience for sociology or criminal justice majors. Fulfills requirement: Immersive Experience. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. Prerequisites for Criminal Justice majors: SOC 245, 331, and 333. Prerequisites for Sociology majors: SOC 110, SOC 311; 321 or 331. Seniors only or permission. 1-12 credits.

This course is intended to: (1) Familiarize students with models of conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of psychopathology; (2) Review the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral experiences considered indicative of specific psychological disorders; and (3) Allow students to develop an empathic understanding of the personal experiences of individuals living with symptoms of mental illness. Fulfills requirement: Human Diversity. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or 125, or junior-level Psychology or Neuroscience major or minor. 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. Prerequisite: SOC 110. 3 credits.