Criminal Justice
The goal of the Criminal Justice program is to develop among present and future employees of the criminal justice system and students of the liberal arts an increased awareness of the roles of law enforcement, courts, and corrections, and a better understanding of the social, politi-cal and economic forces which influence that system.
The course of study consists of an extensive overview of the criminal justice system and an intensive examination of each of the major com-ponents of the system. The program is designed to serve both those students who may elect to enter the criminal justice profession immedi-ately upon graduation and those students who desire to pursue gradu-ate work. Criminal Justice majors are able to apply for an internship and work in a criminal justice related agency or organization during their senior year.
requireMents for CriMinal justiCe Majors
The Criminal Justice major consists of 39 credits. All students must complete at least 21 credits of Criminal Justice coursework at Westfield State University. There are six required courses in the major (Major Core) that comprise 18 of the 39 required credits. All criminal justice majors must complete the Major Core courses with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5, and no grade in any of the Major Core courses may be below a C-. Students may repeat any of these courses in order to meet this requirement, in accordance with the University’s Course Repeat Policy.
Major Core:
CRJU 0101 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3) CRJU 0121 Theories of Crime (3) CRJU 0201 Law Enforcement and Society (3) CRJU 0202 Introduction to Corrections (3) CRJU 0205 American Judicial System (3) CRJU 0231 Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3) Students choose upper-level electives in the major to complete the re-maining 21 credits. A student, who has not maintained the requisite 2.5 GPA for the six Major Core courses or had a grade below a C- in any one of the Major Core courses, will be required to correct this deficiency in order to enroll in upper level major electives.
transfer students
Students transferring from another college must have at least a 2.5 cu-mulative GPA. A grade of less than C-in any criminal justice course is not transferable into the Criminal Justice major. if after transferring,
a student needs to complete any or all of the Major Core classes, the student must do so with no grade in any of the Major Core courses below a C-. the transfer student must also complete the Major Core courses with a minimum cumulative grade point average (gPa) of 2.5, including WSU and transfer coursework. Regardless of the number of
Criminal Justice courses taken at other colleges, a transferring student must complete a minimum of 21 Criminal Justice credit-hours at West-field State University and complete the Major Core courses in compli-ance with the above requirements for GPA and with no grade of less than a C- in the Major Core courses.
ChanGe of Major
Any students seeking to change their major to Criminal Justice must have completed at least 15 credits at WSU with a 2.50 or better cu-mulative GPA. The major core GPA requirements are also applicable (see above).
requireMents for CriMinal justiCe Minor
A Criminal Justice minor may be particularly attractive to students who seek to augment their major field of study with a basic knowledge of criminology/criminal justice. The minor requires that a student take a minimum of 18 credits hours of CRJU-labeled coursework, including CRJU 0101, Introduction to Criminal Justice. CRJU 0101 is a prereq-uisite for all 200-level and above criminal justice courses, and is one of only two 100-level courses offered by the department. Students desir-ing to minor in Criminal Justice shall be required to declare their minor intention, and therefore be assigned to and meet with an advisor, prior to the taking of a third CRJU course that shall be applied to the minor program of studies.
Courses
CRJU 0101 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3) A sur-vey of the American Criminal Justice System as a socio-political institu-tion. The police, criminal courts, and correctional and rehabilitative endeavors will be analyzed within the framework of empirical research from the perspectives of the social sciences. Required of all first-year students in the Criminal Justice major.
CRJU 0121 THEORIES OF CRIME (3) An exploration of prominent theories of crime causation, ranging from biological, psychological, sociological, and cultural explanations. Theories are compared and contrasted and implications are discussed as foundations for criminal justice system policy.
CRJU 0201 LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIETy (3) The struc-ture and function of law enforcement agencies in contemporary society will be analyzed in their sociological context. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of the police within the framework of the Crimi-nal Justice System. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101.
CRJU 0202 INTRODUCTION TO CORRECTIONS (3) An in-depth examination of the American Correctional System. Traditional puni-tive measures will be analyzed in relation to current reintegration alter-natives. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101.
CRJU 0205 AMERICAN JUDICIAL SySTEM (3) An examination of the development of law and the American legal system. The problems related to the meaning and uses of law; the organizational hierarchy of the courts; and the role of the courts in the criminal justice system. Prerequisite:CRJU 0101.
CRJU 0231 RESEARCH METHODS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3) An introduction to scientific methodology as related to criminal justice. The course will focus on the development of hypotheses, data collec-tion, data analysis and hypothesis verification. Attention is also given to basic statistical techniques appropriate for criminal justice research. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101.
CRJU 0301 JUVENILE PROCEDURE (3) An examination of the un-derlying philosophy of juvenile justice and procedures used to process a juvenile alleged to be delinquent through the juvenile justice system. The course will focus on the differences between juvenile procedure and adult criminal procedure by examining recent court decisions and statutory law pertaining to juveniles. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0205, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0312 WOMEN IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SySTEM (3) An examination of the female and her often unique involvement in the American criminal justice system, whether as an offender, as a victim, or as an employee in policing, the courts, or in corrections. Traditional as well as feminist theories will be critically evaluated, using both his-torical analysis and more recent studies. Throughout, the focus is on the detection and understanding of differences and similarities in gen-der attitudes and behaviors, as well as institutional factors effecting change. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101 and Junior standing.
CRJU 0313 QUANTITATIVE METHODS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3) Examines the relationship and application of statistical techniques to theory building and concept construction. Gives an overview of sta-tistical methods and their appropriateness for research in criminal jus-tice. In addition, various computer-oriented analytical tools and data processing systems available to the criminal justice practitioner will be surveyed. Prerequisite: CRJU 0231 or its equivalent and Junior stand-ing.
CRJU 0314 SEMINAR ON OFFENDER REHABILITATION (3) The “nothing works” doctrine generated by the controversial Martinson Report has resulted in considerable confusion regarding the effective-ness of corrections programs designed to elicit specific behavioral changes on the part of the correctional client. This course will thor-oughly examine the debate surrounding the “nothing works” doctrine and present those methods of rehabilitation that have proven effective in the treatment of offenders. Probation, parole and programs for the incarcerated offender will be the primary focus of this course. Prereq-uisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0202, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0315 STRESS AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SySTEM (3) An intensive examination of the interpersonal stresses indigenous to criminal justice practitioners. Stress management within criminal jus-tice organizations will be considered in terms of the administrative and functional problems encountered. Special attention will be given to the criminal justice environment which deals with social service and con-trol on a twenty-four hour basis. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101 and Junior standing.
CRJU 0316 CIVIL LIABILITIES OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFES-SIONALS (3) The civil liability for harm inflicted on another. Topics to be considered will include: intentional torts such as assault, battery, and false imprisonment; negligence; torts of strict liability; libel, slander and defamation; liability of owners and occupiers of land; and the li-ability of state and federal employees for harm caused in their respec-tive professional capacities. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0205, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0317 EVOLUTION OF AMERICAN LAW ENFORCEMENT (3) A critical analysis of the contemporary American law enforcement establishment in relation to the evolutionary forces that have contrib-uted to its development. Excepting modern technology, the law en-forcement function tends to run in predictable cycles. Traditional in origin, these cyclical phenomena may be observed in the patterns of older societies. Reflections of the past are deemed vital to a more objec-tive and well-rounded perception of current issues. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0201, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0302 CRIMINAL LAW (3) The function of criminal law and its relationship to various criminal offenses, including crimes against persons and crimes against property. Prerequisite: Junior standing. Pre-requisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0205, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0303 PATTERNS OF CRIMINALITy (3) The U.S. Department of Justice Index Crimes will be studied along with other crimes, which will be selected on the basis of their contemporary administrative sig-nificance and their effect on the criminal justice system in particular. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101 and Junior standing.
CRJU 0304 PREVENTION AND CONTROL (3) An in-depth exami-nation of the criminal justice system and the efforts it has exerted in an attempt to prevent and control criminal behavior. Course will focus on the traditional methods including probation and parole as well as recent trends in crime control and prevention: the utilization of com-munity based treatment programs and attempts by many criminal jus-tice agencies to avoid the processing of individuals through the system. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0201, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0305 PRINCIPLES OF EVIDENCE AND PROOF (3) The study of the different types of evidence, relevance, the hearsay rule and its exceptions, impeachment and cross-examination and privileged communications. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0205, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0306 CONTEMPORARy PROBLEMS IN CORRECTIONS (3) An intensive analysis of selected problems in institutional and com-munity corrections. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0202, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0307 CONTEMPORARy PROBLEMS IN LAW ENFORCE-MENT (3) An intensive analysis of selected problems in American law enforcement and police-community relations. A major research paper is required. Prerequisite:CRJU 0101, CRJU 0201, and Junior standing. CRJU 0308 RIGHTS OF THE CONVICTED (3) An examination of the legal rights of the individual who has been convicted of a crime. This lecture course will focus specifically on both federal and state laws and court decisions dealing with the legal rights of probationers, con-fined prisoners, and parolees in the American criminal justice system. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0205, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0309 PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION (3) The science of investigation of crimes, laboratory techniques, interpreta-tion of data, and elements of specific crimes. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0201, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0310 ORGANIZED AND WHITE COLLAR CRIME (3) The methods through which organized crime influences and, in many in-stances, controls entire communities. Traditional types of crime heavily influenced by organized crime, such as loan sharking and gambling, will be analyzed in an effort to demonstrate the basis of power and wealth of organized crime in the United States. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0201, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0311 VICTIMOLOGy (3) Criminal-victim relationships, with empha-sis on victim-precipitated crimes and compensation to the victims. Consider-ation is given to: concept and significance of victimology; time, space, sex, age, and occupational factors in criminal-victim relationships; victims of murder, rape, other violent crimes and property crimes; victim typology; the public as victim; restitution and compensation to victims. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101 and Junior standing.
CRJU 0326 PLANNED CHANGE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE ( 3 ) This course is designed to acquaint students with general theories of planned change at the individual, organizational, and community lev-els. Special attention will be given to the need for employee involve-ment and collaboration in working toward organizational goals, with reference to concepts such as reinventing government and total quality management. The emphasis will be on applied theory. Students will be expected to develop their own ideas for change in the fields of policing, courts, or corrections. They would then be required to consider the resistances that would likely arise as their changes are introduced, and how they should best be dealt with, considering planned change theo-ries from the course. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101 and Junior standing.
CRJU 0327 RACE, ETHNICITy, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3) An examination of the issues of race and ethnicity which continue to affect all aspects of criminal justice in America. Whether as offenders, victims, or as persons working (or seeking to work) within “the system,” Afri-can AmeriAfri-cans, Hispanics, and other minorities are treated differently than non-minorities. This course explores the core concepts of race and ethnicity as they have developed in our culture, and examines the evidence for and against various forms of racism and discrimination in key institutions of the criminal justice system. The nature and status of constitutional, statutory, and other remedies are also explored. Prereq-uisite: CRJU 0101 and Junior standing.
CRJU 0328 COMPUTER APPLICATION IN CRIME ANALySIS (3) This course is designed to examine developments in information systems and their applications in the crime analysis environment. Par-ticular attention will be given to management and analysis of crime-related data as well as an assessment of current and future applications in crime analysis. Previous computer experience is not required. Pre-requisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0201, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0329 CRIME AND THE MEDIA (3) The course will deal with issues related to the mass media and crime in society. The increasing importance of the mass media in shaping people’s perception of and attitudes toward the criminal justice system will be focused on. Other topics will include the media as a cause and cure for crime, biases in the media coverage, the effects of the media on criminal proceedings and crime on television and films. Prerequisite:CRJU 0101 and Junior standing.
CRJU 0330 CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION (3) An ex-amination of organizational theory and its applications within criminal justice agencies. Consideration of the principles of organization and methods adopted by progressive agencies to insure effective criminal justice service to the community will be reviewed. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101 and Junior standing.
CRJU 0332 HOMICIDE (3) An in-depth discussion of the legal defini-tions of and rationalizadefini-tions for homicide. The statistical aggregates of those occasions will be considered in terms of demographic and ethno-cultural phenomena. The murder episode is examined within the context of morality. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0201, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0333 TERRORISM (3) This course will explore the develop-ment of terrorism as a form of crime. Topics to be studied include major terrorist groups and their strategies, tactics and targets, juris-dictional issues, anti- and counter-terrorist operations, federal law en-forcement, and future trends in terrorism. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0201, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0319 ECONOMIC CRIME (3) The manner in which pro-fessionals in business are able to manipulate and control computer systems and engage in various types of white collar crime will be ex-amined. Emphasis will be placed on consumer and computer fraud, embezzlement, and particular attention will be focused on corporate crime and on the criminal justice system’s attempts to identify, pre-vent, and control it. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0201, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0320 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: FOURTH AMENDMENT RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED (3) A study of due process, the exclu-sionary rule, and the legal problems associated with arrests, searches, and seizures. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0205, and Junior stand-ing.
CRJU 0321 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE: FIFTH AND SIXTH AMENDMENT (3) A study of the legal problems associated with in-terrogations, confessions, entrapment, lineups, and wiretapping and electronic surveillance. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0205, and Ju-nior standing.
CRJU 0322 yOUTH GANGS (3) This course will offer an in-depth study of youth gangs in the United States. Topics to be examined in-clude various theories of gang formation, group dynamics, and indi-vidual factors associated with gang membership. Attention will also be given to the different types of gangs that exist. Given these dynamics, the final portion of the course will focus on prevention and interven-tion efforts aimed at reducing gang behavior. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101
and Junior standing.
CRJU0323 RELIGION AND CRIME IN CONTEMPORARy AMERICA (3) This course will serve as an introduction to issues re-lated to religion and the criminal justice system. Topics will include the religious origins of the legal and correctional systems, religion and contemporary law, religion in prison and corrections, hate crimes and terrorism. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101 and Junior standing.
CRJU 0324 RESTORATIVE COMMUNITy JUSTICE (3) Restor-ative Community Justice is based on a new vision of criminal justice that stresses offender reintegration through offender accountability. Rather than simply a legal violation, crime is viewed as a breach in the relationship between the offender and the victim, and also the offender and the community. To the greatest degree possible, resolution should rest in the hands of those most directly involved, with the state mediat-ing the conflict. This course will explore the philosophy of restorative justice, and current practices of victim-offender mediation, where the offender is required to directly confront the person(s) harmed, and the victim is given a real voice. It will examine how offenses can be re-solved in ways that are positive and constructive for victims, communi-ties, and also for offenders. The student will develop an understanding of the basic tenets of restorative justice, and also knowledge of how this concept is being applied in criminal justice practices in the U.S. and internationally. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0202, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0325 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT (3) This course focuses on capi-tal punishment law, particularly United States Supreme Court decisions addressing constitutional issues relevant to the death penalty. Students also will explore empirical, penological, political, and moral issues re-lated to the death penalty and its administration. Prerequisite:CRJU 0101, CRJU 0202, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0352 CRIME IN AMERICAN SCHOOLS (3) This course will present an overview of the problems of school-related crime in con-temporary society. The initial focus will be on student crime, but will then shift to crimes committed by teachers and administrators. Topics covered will include an examination of the types and prevalence of school crime, the causes of crime in a school environment, and the var-ied responses to this critical social problem. Pre-requisite: CRJU 0101
and Junior standing.
CRJU 0353 CORRUPTION AND POLITICAL CRIME (3) This course will examine cases depicting the crimes which politicians, bu-reaucrats, and other governmental employees (such as police officers) commit. Also explored will be the criminological explanations for these failures in professional integrity, as well as the various methods used to control and eradicate corruption. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101 and junior standing.
CRJU 0354 EVALUATING CRIMINAL OFFENDERS (3)An over-view of techniques to understand and categorize criminal offenders so as to employ the appropriate criminal justice response. The course will examine how offenders are evaluated at critical junctures of the cor-rections system, including bail release decisions, eligibility for pretrial programs, sentencing, and classifications in prison, probation, and parole. Current methods used by the justice system, including the per-sistence investigation (PSI), sentencing guidelines, and structured risk and needs assessment will be reviewed. This course will also review the more clinical or psychodynamic assessment methods used with special offender populations (drugs/alcohol offenders, violent offenders, sex offenders). Prerequisite:CRJU 0101, CRJU 0202, and Junior standing. CRJU 0355 HIGH PROFILE CRIMES AND TRIALS (3) A survey of high profile crimes and trials from different periods in history. The importance of the media in creating high profile crimes and trials will be discussed along with the notation of newsworthiness. Particular at-tention will be given to the effects high profile crimes and trials have on the public and criminal justice system. Prerequisite:CRJU 0101 and Junior standing.
CRJU 0356 FEDERAL CRIMINAL LAW (3) A consideration of fed-eral substantive and procedural law. The course will focus on the role of the grand jury and agencies of the federal government in the in-vestigation and prosecution of crime by the United States of America. Prerequisite:CRJU 0101, CRJU 0205, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0357 JUVENILES AND TREATMENT (3) This course covers the various treatment strategies regularly used in formal responses to juvenile misbehavior. Critical analysis of the theoretical underpinnings for school discipline strategies, therapeutic educational interventions, addiction treatment, and primary treatment approaches are discussed. Assessment of the rehabilitation potential of these approaches will also be discussed. Prerequisite: All major core courses for CRJU majors, CRJU 0101 for CRJU minors, or permission of the instructor.
CRJU 0334 DRUGS AND CRIME (3) This course will present an overview of the problems of drug-related crime in contemporary society. Specific drug substances are discussed, as well as legal, cul-tural, and social factors in connection with drug law enforcement. Prerequisite:CRJU 0101 and Junior standing.
CRJU 0335 COMPARATIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SySTEMS (3) Increasingly, practitioners in the American criminal justice systems are required to interact with their counterparts, as well as citizens from other national jurisdictions. Effective interaction, including coopera-tion and sharing, requires some understanding of how criminal justice is conceived and practiced in other parts of the world. This course ex-amines and compares key institutions of the criminal justice systems in six model countries, two in Europe, two in Asia, one Islamic nation, and one from Latin America. We look not only at formal organizations in each country, but also at actual practices and how they compare with each other and the United States. To understand how differences and similarities have developed, we also learn something of the history, culture, political system and economic conditions of each model coun-try. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101 and Junior standing.
CRJU 0336 SUPERVISORy PRACTICES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT (3) An examination of supervisory practices and principles utilized in public safety agencies; problems confronting the newly promoted em-ployee; theories of organization and leadership; motivation of subordi-nates; effective communication; training; performance evaluation; dis-ciplinary processes. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0201, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0337 CRIMINAL JUSTICE ETHICS (3) This course investi-gates the application of moral logic to problems in the field of Criminal Justice. Issues related to policing, criminal prosecution, and corrections will be studied. Students will be encouraged to induce general moral precepts and rules from the examination of particular situations and problems. Prerequisite:CRJU 0101 and Junior standing.
CRJU 0338 ISSUES IN CONTEMPORARy SECURITy (3) An over-view of security systems applicable to contemporary industrial and commercial demands. Losses through physical, technological, and per-sonnel hazards are viewed as preventable phenomena if vulnerabilities are recognized and ameliorative measures taken. Counter-measures will be weighed within the framework of loss criticality and cost of effectiveness. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0201, and Junior stand-ing.
CRJU 0339 PROBATION, PAROLE, AND COMMUNITy COR-RECTIONS (3) This course will present an overview of correctional options in the community. It will challenge students to consider how sanctions for criminal offenders can be managed in the community without unduly sacrificing community safety or the integrity of the jus-tice system. Community Corrections is a fluid and continually chang-ing field. The focus will be on main themes and trends in probation and parole. Specific attention will be given to the dual and often con-flicting goals of community protection and positive offender change with which the practitioner typically is confronted, the types of policies and programs implemented to meet these goals, and their effectiveness. Prerequisite:CRJU 0101, CRJU 0202, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0340 - 349 SPECIAL TOPICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3) An in-depth study of a limited or specialized area within the criminal jus-tice field. Course content will vary according to the area of specializa-tion of the instructor and the interest of the students. May be repeated if course content differs. Prerequisite:CRJU 0101 and Junior standing.
CRJU 0384 ADULT OFFENDERS: CASE STUDIES (3)A critical theoretical examination ofcertain types of adult offenders, espe-cially those who are soespe-cially disadvantaged. This examination will be based largely upon the analysis of qualitative research studies that have been done with adult offenders. Special attention is given to the case study method and to understanding adult offenders as individuals making choices within the constraints of larger politi-cal, economic, social and ideological structures. Prerequisite: CRJU 0101, CRJU 0202, and Junior standing.
CRJU 0398 FIELD PRACTICUM IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3-6) The field practicum class involves the student’s participation in the day-to-day functions of a criminal justice agency. The course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to translate the theoretically oriented classroom experience into practical applica-tion in an area of particular interest to the student. Prerequisite: Senior standing and permission of instructor.
CRJU 0399 INDEPENDENT STUDy (3-6) Individual research and independent study related to a particular aspect of criminal justice that is of special interest. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor .
