Criminal Justice (College of Arts and Sciences)
Faculty
Vernon Scott, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Roberta Goldberg, Professor of Sociology
Konia Kollehlon, Associate Professor of Sociology
Roxana Moayedi, Associate Professor of Sociology
Description
Criminal justice is the scientific study of criminal behavior. It focuses generally on, among other issues, the history of the criminal justice system; theories of crime and deviance; the origin and development of criminal law; the functions and operations of criminal justice agencies in a diverse society; the violations of criminal law and society’s responses to the violations of criminal law; the nature, meaning, and purposes of criminal punishment; and the nature and impact of criminal justice policy.
The Criminal Justice major at Trinity emphasizes three foundational areas: law enforcement, corrections, and juvenile justice. The Criminal Justice major prepares students for graduate school and a wide range of career opportunities in security and law enforcement, probation and parole, the court system, and corrections. Given the applied nature of criminal justice, experiential learning is an important part of the major. As such, all majors are required to complete an internship with a public or private organization that is involved in some aspect of criminal justice. The Criminal Justice major and minor are offered to students in the College of Arts and Sciences, and the major is offered in the School of Professional Studies.
Major Requirements
Required Courses (36 credits)
ALL of the following courses:
SOCY 100 Introduction to SociologyIntroduces students to the science of sociology and prepares students for upper-level social science course work. Formerly SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core Area II: Understanding the Self and Society
(or SOCY 105 Social ProblemsExamines the political and economic organization of society and its impact on social problems. The goal of this course is to enable students to understand the social nature of social problems. Students focus on how social problems result from cultural and social arrangements. Critical scrutiny of polity and economy provides clues for the bias of society. Explains how political and economic processes affect what is currently being done about social problems and thus why so many social policies fail. Formerly SOC 200 Social Crisis and Social Policy.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V)
CJUS 100 Introduction Criminal JusticeIntroduces students to the scientific study of crime by focusing on definitions, history, types, causes, and consequences of crime as well as the responses of the criminal justice system to crimes, criminals, and the victims of crimes. Formerly SOC 202 Criminology: An Introduction and SOCY 205 Criminology: An Introduction.
3 credits (previously SOCY 205 Criminology: An IntroductionIntroduces students to the scientific study of crime by focusing on definitions, history, types, causes, and consequences of crime as well as the responses of the criminal justice system to crimes, criminals, and the victims of crimes. Formerly SOC 202 Criminology: An Introduction.
3 credits)
CJUS 206 Juvenile JusticeJuvenile Justice examines status offenses and other crimes committed by juveniles. The course will further examine the social and legal history, definition and explanation of delinquency, assess delinquency prevention and correctional programs, and emphasize the application of philosophical and legal principles to the problems of juvenile justice.
3 credits (previously SOCY 206 Juvenile JusticeJuvenile Justice examines status offenses and other crimes committed by juveniles. The course will further examine the social and legal history, definition and explanation of delinquency, assess delinquency prevention and correctional programs, and emphasize the application of philosophical and legal principles to the problems of juvenile justice.
3 credits)
CJUS 303 Women and Minorities in Criminal JusticeRace, ethnicity, sex, and other characteristics may define individuals as minorities who deserve equitable treatment in the criminal justice system. This course examines the roles of racism, sexism, and homophobia in theories of crimes and the treatment of minorities by various components of the criminal justice system.
3 credits (previously SOCY 303 Minorities and Women in Criminal JusticeRace, ethnicity, sex, and other characteristics may define individuals as minorities who deserve equitable treatment in the criminal justice system. This course examines the roles of racism, sexism, and homophobia in theories of crimes and the treatment of minorities by various components of the criminal justice system.
3 credits)
CJUS 305 CorrectionsStudies jails and prisons as complex institutions with varied, sometimes conflicting goals. The course provides students with an overview of correctional philosophies, practices, and procedures.
3 credits
(previously SOCY 305 CorrectionsStudies jails and prisons as complex institutions with varied, sometimes conflicting goals. The course provides students with an overview of correctional philosophies, practices, and procedures.
3 credits
)
CJUS 306 Law EnforcementA survey of law enforcement concentrating on the police, with particular emphasis on its functions (enforcing the law, maintaining order, serving the public), responsibilities (preserving constitutional rights, community relations), and problems (corruption, use of deadly force, racial profiling), among others.
3 credits (previously SOCY 306 Law EnforcementA survey of law enforcement concentrating on the police, with particular emphasis on its functions (enforcing the law, maintaining order, serving the public), responsibilities (preserving constitutional rights, community relations), and problems (corruption, use of deadly force, racial profiling), among others.)
CJUS 307 Criminal ProceduresThis course introduces students to the lawful gathering and evaluation of information concerning criminal acts, with particular attention to the fundamentals of investigation, the organization and management of the investigative process, and the knowledge and skills necessary for investigation.
3 credits (previously SOCY 307 Criminal Procedures & EvidenceThis course introduces students to the lawful gathering and evaluation of information concerning criminal acts, with particular attention to the fundamentals of investigation, the organization and management of the investigative process, and the knowledge and skills necessary for investigation.)
SOCY 311 Research Methods for Social ScientistsIntroduces the student to various research methods used in the social sciences. Topics include causal analysis survey, observational, and evaluating strategies; feminist methods; database management; and statistical data analysis (SPSS). Formerly SOC 342 Research Methods.
3 credits
Prerequisites: SOCY 100 and MATH 110
SOCY 410 Theories of Crime & DevianceThis course examines various explanations of crime and deviance from a variety of perspectives: Biological, Psychological, Sociological, Feminist, and Conflict, among others.
3 credits
CJUS 499 Senior Seminar in Criminal JusticeServes as a capstone course that explores contemporary sociological and criminological concepts through new research and theory in the discipline. Students will contribute to class discussion through written work and oral presentations. Formerly SOC 460 Senior Seminar.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Senior status in the major
MATH 110 Introduction to StatisticsPresents the basic principles of statistics with applications to the social sciences. Topics include descriptive statistics, probability theory, normal and binomial distributions, and central limit theorem, with an introduction to the use of statistical software. Formerly MAT 110 Introduction to Statistics.
3 credits
General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
Prerequisites: MATH 108, MATH 109 or higher level mathematics course
Three Additional credits of Internship:
CJUS 492 Internship in Criminal JusticeA semester of internship that provides students the opportunity for field placement in an approved criminal justice agency, where students can integrate the theory and practice of criminal justice.
3 credits
Minor Requirements
Required Courses (18 credits):
CJUS 100 Introduction Criminal JusticeIntroduces students to the scientific study of crime by focusing on definitions, history, types, causes, and consequences of crime as well as the responses of the criminal justice system to crimes, criminals, and the victims of crimes. Formerly SOC 202 Criminology: An Introduction and SOCY 205 Criminology: An Introduction.
3 credits (previously SOCY 205 Criminology: An IntroductionIntroduces students to the scientific study of crime by focusing on definitions, history, types, causes, and consequences of crime as well as the responses of the criminal justice system to crimes, criminals, and the victims of crimes. Formerly SOC 202 Criminology: An Introduction.
3 credits)
CJUS 206 Juvenile JusticeJuvenile Justice examines status offenses and other crimes committed by juveniles. The course will further examine the social and legal history, definition and explanation of delinquency, assess delinquency prevention and correctional programs, and emphasize the application of philosophical and legal principles to the problems of juvenile justice.
3 credits (previously SOCY 206 Juvenile JusticeJuvenile Justice examines status offenses and other crimes committed by juveniles. The course will further examine the social and legal history, definition and explanation of delinquency, assess delinquency prevention and correctional programs, and emphasize the application of philosophical and legal principles to the problems of juvenile justice.
3 credits)
CJUS 303 Women and Minorities in Criminal JusticeRace, ethnicity, sex, and other characteristics may define individuals as minorities who deserve equitable treatment in the criminal justice system. This course examines the roles of racism, sexism, and homophobia in theories of crimes and the treatment of minorities by various components of the criminal justice system.
3 credits (previously SOCY 303 Minorities and Women in Criminal JusticeRace, ethnicity, sex, and other characteristics may define individuals as minorities who deserve equitable treatment in the criminal justice system. This course examines the roles of racism, sexism, and homophobia in theories of crimes and the treatment of minorities by various components of the criminal justice system.
3 credits)
CJUS 305 CorrectionsStudies jails and prisons as complex institutions with varied, sometimes conflicting goals. The course provides students with an overview of correctional philosophies, practices, and procedures.
3 credits
(previously SOCY 305 CorrectionsStudies jails and prisons as complex institutions with varied, sometimes conflicting goals. The course provides students with an overview of correctional philosophies, practices, and procedures.
3 credits
)
CJUS 306 Law EnforcementA survey of law enforcement concentrating on the police, with particular emphasis on its functions (enforcing the law, maintaining order, serving the public), responsibilities (preserving constitutional rights, community relations), and problems (corruption, use of deadly force, racial profiling), among others.
3 credits (previously SOCY 306 Law EnforcementA survey of law enforcement concentrating on the police, with particular emphasis on its functions (enforcing the law, maintaining order, serving the public), responsibilities (preserving constitutional rights, community relations), and problems (corruption, use of deadly force, racial profiling), among others.)
CJUS 307 Criminal ProceduresThis course introduces students to the lawful gathering and evaluation of information concerning criminal acts, with particular attention to the fundamentals of investigation, the organization and management of the investigative process, and the knowledge and skills necessary for investigation.
3 credits (previously SOCY 307 Criminal Procedures & EvidenceThis course introduces students to the lawful gathering and evaluation of information concerning criminal acts, with particular attention to the fundamentals of investigation, the organization and management of the investigative process, and the knowledge and skills necessary for investigation.)
Program Policies
Advanced Placement:
Credits earned through AP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the Criminal Justice major.
CLEP Policy:
Credits earned through CLEP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the Criminal Justice major.
Grades in Major Courses:
Students are required to earn a grade of “C” or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major. In addition, students must achieve a passing grade on the Senior Comprehensive portfolio.
Pass/No Pass:
Courses fulfilling major requirements may not be taken pass/no pass.
Senior Assessment:
Students are required to submit a Senior Comprehensive Portfolio Assessment Project prior to graduation. Specific requirements and due dates are distributed to seniors in the Fall semester of their graduation year.
TELL Policy:
Students applying for credit in experiential learning should consult with the program faculty.
Transfer Credits:
Credits in courses equivalent to those required for the major from a similar institution may be accepted toward a major. Students majoring in criminal justice must take a minimum of four criminal justice courses at Trinity.
Credits Counted toward Minor in Criminal Justice:
Other than courses that are required for both Sociology and Criminal Justice majors, students who major in Sociology and minor in Criminal Justice cannot double count criminal justice courses for sociology credits. Also, students who major in Human Relations and minor in Criminal Justice must fulfill their Sociology requirements separately from the minor requirements for Criminal Justice. If, however, someone is only majoring in Human Relations, she may take Criminal Justice courses to meet the Sociology requirements for Human Relations.
Course Descriptions
SOCY 100 Introduction to SociologyIntroduces students to the science of sociology and prepares students for upper-level social science course work. Formerly SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
Core Area II: Understanding the Self and Society
SOCY 105 Social ProblemsExamines the political and economic organization of society and its impact on social problems. The goal of this course is to enable students to understand the social nature of social problems. Students focus on how social problems result from cultural and social arrangements. Critical scrutiny of polity and economy provides clues for the bias of society. Explains how political and economic processes affect what is currently being done about social problems and thus why so many social policies fail. Formerly SOC 200 Social Crisis and Social Policy.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
SOCY 311 Research Methods for Social ScientistsIntroduces the student to various research methods used in the social sciences. Topics include causal analysis survey, observational, and evaluating strategies; feminist methods; database management; and statistical data analysis (SPSS). Formerly SOC 342 Research Methods.
3 credits
Prerequisites: SOCY 100 and MATH 110
SOCY 410 Theories of Crime & DevianceThis course examines various explanations of crime and deviance from a variety of perspectives: Biological, Psychological, Sociological, Feminist, and Conflict, among others.
3 credits
CJUS 100 Introduction Criminal JusticeIntroduces students to the scientific study of crime by focusing on definitions, history, types, causes, and consequences of crime as well as the responses of the criminal justice system to crimes, criminals, and the victims of crimes. Formerly SOC 202 Criminology: An Introduction and SOCY 205 Criminology: An Introduction.
3 credits
CJUS 206 Juvenile JusticeJuvenile Justice examines status offenses and other crimes committed by juveniles. The course will further examine the social and legal history, definition and explanation of delinquency, assess delinquency prevention and correctional programs, and emphasize the application of philosophical and legal principles to the problems of juvenile justice.
3 credits
CJUS 303 Women and Minorities in Criminal JusticeRace, ethnicity, sex, and other characteristics may define individuals as minorities who deserve equitable treatment in the criminal justice system. This course examines the roles of racism, sexism, and homophobia in theories of crimes and the treatment of minorities by various components of the criminal justice system.
3 credits
CJUS 305 CorrectionsStudies jails and prisons as complex institutions with varied, sometimes conflicting goals. The course provides students with an overview of correctional philosophies, practices, and procedures.
3 credits
CJUS 306 Law EnforcementA survey of law enforcement concentrating on the police, with particular emphasis on its functions (enforcing the law, maintaining order, serving the public), responsibilities (preserving constitutional rights, community relations), and problems (corruption, use of deadly force, racial profiling), among others.
3 credits
CJUS 307 Criminal ProceduresThis course introduces students to the lawful gathering and evaluation of information concerning criminal acts, with particular attention to the fundamentals of investigation, the organization and management of the investigative process, and the knowledge and skills necessary for investigation.
3 credits
CJUS 492 Internship in Criminal JusticeA semester of internship that provides students the opportunity for field placement in an approved criminal justice agency, where students can integrate the theory and practice of criminal justice.
3 credits
CJUS 499 Senior Seminar in Criminal JusticeServes as a capstone course that explores contemporary sociological and criminological concepts through new research and theory in the discipline. Students will contribute to class discussion through written work and oral presentations. Formerly SOC 460 Senior Seminar.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Senior status in the major