Criminal Justice (B.A.)

This undergraduate program is offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Faculty

Mr. Vernon Scott, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice (program chair)
Dr. E. Wairimu Mwangi, Assistant 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 (45 credits)

ALL of the following courses (33 credits):

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
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 101 Criminal LawThis course examines the substantive criminal law that defines criminal behavior. The general principles of criminal liability including defenses, parties to crime, and the elements of specific crimes are examined from a broad perspective. Decisions of English and American courts are analyzed to interpret the rules and doctrines of criminal law.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
CJUS 200 CorrectionsComprehensive survey of the correctional process in the U.S., including present philosophies and practices of punishment and rehabilitation; procedures of custodial institutions; functions of correctional officers; functions of probation and parole; classification program assignment; and release procedures.
3 credits
CJUS 205 CriminologyThis course presents a framework for the scientific study of the nature and causes of crime and antisocial behavior. The course focuses on explanations provided through criminal typologies and criminological theories, 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. Topics will include crime causation, the extent of crime, victimization, social/psychological theories, and various types of criminality, including violent, property, and public order offenses. Formerly SOCY 205 - Criminology.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
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 208 Introduction to 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 303 Inequality, Discrimination, and Gender 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. Formerly CJUS 303 - Women and Minorities in CJ.
3 credits
CJUS 307 Criminal ProceduresThis course reviews procedural aspects of criminal law governing the acts of law enforcement personnel, with a special emphasis on the constitutional rights of the accused. This study includes arrest, search and seizure, confessions, right to counsel, and similar topics.
3 credits
Prerequisite: CJUS 101
CJUS 410 Theories of Crime and DevianceThis course examines various explanations of crime and deviance from a variety of perspectives: Biological, Psychological, Sociological, Feminist, and Conflict, among others.
3 credits
Prerequisites: CJUS 205
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

Two research methods courses (6 credits):

MATH 110 Introduction to StatisticsThis course presents the basic principles of statistics with applications to the social sciences. Topics include descriptive statistics, graphical representations of data, normal probability distributions and the Central Limit Theorem, linear correlation and regression and probability theory. This course also offers an introduction to the use of statistical software. Formerly MAT 110 Introduction to Statistics.
3 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 102, MATH 108, MATH 109 or higher level mathematics course.
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. Formerly SOC 342 Research Methods.
3 credits
Prerequisites: SOCY 100 and MATH 110

One elective course (3 credits):

CJUS 309 EvidenceIn this course the students learn the definitions of evidence and proof and their relationship to each other. The roles of the prosecutor and defense counsel in trial proceedings will also be explored. Students study different types of evidence, such as real vs. testimonial, direct vs. circumstantial, and the rules regarding of hearsay and opinion testimony. Students also study the admissibility of evidence and constitutional concepts such as the exclusionary rule, search and seizure, confession, and discovery, and students learn to read and brief criminal case law.
3 credits
Prerequisites: CJUS 101
COM 312
CJUS 351 Probation, Parole, and Community CorrectionsThis course provides an overview of the administrative and operational aspects of community-based corrections. Students will examine, in detail, the functions and strategies of various community corrections agencies, in the context of individual, political and community influences, and criminological theories. Students will also study the historical development and future trends in probation, parole and other noncustodial alternatives to prisons and other correctional institutions.
Prerequisites: CRJ 100, CRJ 200, CRJ 205
Credits: 3
CJUS 366 Criminal InvestigationsStudents examine the importance and legal significance of evidence, demonstrating how the investigative process works from crime scene preservation to case preparation and courtroom presentation. This course examines various techniques used during criminal investigations such as photography, interviewing, evidence handling, interrogation, and scene reconstruction, including how each applies to specific types of crimes.
3 credits
CJUS 381 Homeland SecurityThis course examines the organization, functions, and strategies of the Department of Homeland Security and its member agencies. How can the department meet the new challenges caused by global and domestic terrorist threats, natural, and man-made disasters and cultural changes within the United states and the world? Students will also explore examples of various security threats and the DHS response to them and examine management style and structure in the department.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
CJUS 388 International and Domestic TerrorismThis course examines aspects of extremism and terrorism in a historical, cultural and tactical context and relates the use of terrorism to contemporary issues of international domestic terrorism facing the United States today. Paramilitarism, white supremacy groups, hate groups, religious fundamentalism, and foreign terrorist groups throughout the world and through history will be investigated and studied with sophisticated theories of analysts.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
CJUS 444 Constitutional LawAn in-depth study of the U.S. Constitution and the development of basic constitutional principles such as judicial review and the separation of powers via the case-study method. The course will also examine the development and interpretation of individual rights and liberties under the Constitution through the examination of landmark cases and recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court, especially as it applies to law enforcement, the courts, and the criminal justice system.
3 credits
BIOL 220 Introductory Forensic ScienceThis course consists of 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory per week. This course would serve as an elective for biology, chemistry, and criminal justice majors.

Through reading, writing, discussions, and case-studies, students will explore scientific principles of Forensic Science and methods of investigation . Students will be introduced to the many specialties within forensic science and methods for collecting and recording evidence at a crime scenes. Scientific principles based in chemistry and biology will be incorporated into discussions of techniques used for analyzing crime scene evidence. Students will be introduced to technologies for analyzing crime scene evidence such as separating and identifying compounds, microscopy, fingerprinting, document analysis, pathology, anthropology, odontology, entomology, serology, DNA analysis, toxicology, and soil and fiber analysis. Students will also explore ethical and legal considerations in forensic science. The laboratory component of the course will give students hands -on-experience using scientific technologies to analyze data and solve problems.
4 credits
Prerequisites: Introductory Chemistry or Biology course such as BIOL 111, CHEM 111, BIOL 101 or an equivalent introductory science course with permission by instructor.

One internship (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

Minor Requirements

Required Courses (21 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 101 Criminal LawThis course examines the substantive criminal law that defines criminal behavior. The general principles of criminal liability including defenses, parties to crime, and the elements of specific crimes are examined from a broad perspective. Decisions of English and American courts are analyzed to interpret the rules and doctrines of criminal law.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
CJUS 200 CorrectionsComprehensive survey of the correctional process in the U.S., including present philosophies and practices of punishment and rehabilitation; procedures of custodial institutions; functions of correctional officers; functions of probation and parole; classification program assignment; and release procedures.
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 208 Introduction to 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 303 Inequality, Discrimination, and Gender 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. Formerly CJUS 303 - Women and Minorities in CJ.
3 credits
CJUS 307 Criminal ProceduresThis course reviews procedural aspects of criminal law governing the acts of law enforcement personnel, with a special emphasis on the constitutional rights of the accused. This study includes arrest, search and seizure, confessions, right to counsel, and similar topics.
3 credits
Prerequisite: CJUS 101

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 their Senior Seminar course (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).

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

BIOL 220 Introductory Forensic ScienceThis course consists of 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory per week. This course would serve as an elective for biology, chemistry, and criminal justice majors.

Through reading, writing, discussions, and case-studies, students will explore scientific principles of Forensic Science and methods of investigation . Students will be introduced to the many specialties within forensic science and methods for collecting and recording evidence at a crime scenes. Scientific principles based in chemistry and biology will be incorporated into discussions of techniques used for analyzing crime scene evidence. Students will be introduced to technologies for analyzing crime scene evidence such as separating and identifying compounds, microscopy, fingerprinting, document analysis, pathology, anthropology, odontology, entomology, serology, DNA analysis, toxicology, and soil and fiber analysis. Students will also explore ethical and legal considerations in forensic science. The laboratory component of the course will give students hands -on-experience using scientific technologies to analyze data and solve problems.
4 credits
Prerequisites: Introductory Chemistry or Biology course such as BIOL 111, CHEM 111, BIOL 101 or an equivalent introductory science course with permission by instructor.
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 101 Criminal LawThis course examines the substantive criminal law that defines criminal behavior. The general principles of criminal liability including defenses, parties to crime, and the elements of specific crimes are examined from a broad perspective. Decisions of English and American courts are analyzed to interpret the rules and doctrines of criminal law.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
CJUS 200 CorrectionsComprehensive survey of the correctional process in the U.S., including present philosophies and practices of punishment and rehabilitation; procedures of custodial institutions; functions of correctional officers; functions of probation and parole; classification program assignment; and release procedures.
3 credits
CJUS 205 CriminologyThis course presents a framework for the scientific study of the nature and causes of crime and antisocial behavior. The course focuses on explanations provided through criminal typologies and criminological theories, 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. Topics will include crime causation, the extent of crime, victimization, social/psychological theories, and various types of criminality, including violent, property, and public order offenses. Formerly SOCY 205 - Criminology.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
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 208 Introduction to 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 303 Inequality, Discrimination, and Gender 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. Formerly CJUS 303 - Women and Minorities in CJ.
3 credits
CJUS 306 Law Enforcement AdministrationIn this course, students examine roles, responsibilities, issues, and trends related to contemporary law enforcement organizations. Other topics of study include community policing, policing in selected foreign countries, stress recognition and management, civil liability, extraordinary problems and practices, public expectations, and police careers. Formerly - CJUS 306 - Law Enforcement.
3 credits
CJUS 307 Criminal ProceduresThis course reviews procedural aspects of criminal law governing the acts of law enforcement personnel, with a special emphasis on the constitutional rights of the accused. This study includes arrest, search and seizure, confessions, right to counsel, and similar topics.
3 credits
Prerequisite: CJUS 101
CJUS 309 EvidenceIn this course the students learn the definitions of evidence and proof and their relationship to each other. The roles of the prosecutor and defense counsel in trial proceedings will also be explored. Students study different types of evidence, such as real vs. testimonial, direct vs. circumstantial, and the rules regarding of hearsay and opinion testimony. Students also study the admissibility of evidence and constitutional concepts such as the exclusionary rule, search and seizure, confession, and discovery, and students learn to read and brief criminal case law.
3 credits
Prerequisites: CJUS 101
CJUS 341 Administrative LawStudents will study various administrative agencies, their rule making powers, adjudicatory functions and judicial control over such agencies. Areas covered include: the scope of administrative power, judicial review, regulatory law, due process, and personal liability of public servants.
3 credits
CJUS 344 Legal Decision Making: Theory and ChallengesThis course will examine the politics of law, courts, the legal profession, and judicial policymaking. Students address questions of judicial policy including: What is law? How are courts organized and how do they work procedurally? What influences court access and, ultimately, judicial decision-making? How do courts make policy, and how is judicial authority constrained? The course will use an interdisciplinary approach to examine the legal process and study analyses from scholars who argue from quantitative and qualitative perspectives.
3 credits
CJUS 351 Probation, Parole, and Community CorrectionsThis course provides an overview of the administrative and operational aspects of community-based corrections. Students will examine, in detail, the functions and strategies of various community corrections agencies, in the context of individual, political and community influences, and criminological theories. Students will also study the historical development and future trends in probation, parole and other noncustodial alternatives to prisons and other correctional institutions.
Prerequisites: CRJ 100, CRJ 200, CRJ 205
Credits: 3
CJUS 366 Criminal InvestigationsStudents examine the importance and legal significance of evidence, demonstrating how the investigative process works from crime scene preservation to case preparation and courtroom presentation. This course examines various techniques used during criminal investigations such as photography, interviewing, evidence handling, interrogation, and scene reconstruction, including how each applies to specific types of crimes.
3 credits
CJUS 377 Juvenile Delinquency: Theories and ChallengesStudents will examine, in detail, individual and community influences, criminological theories, and juvenile justice agencies to understand, analyze and evaluate how a child's developmental state and social milieu can create sources of delinquency. By recognizing that juvenile delinquency has multiple causes, manifestations, and developmental pathways, students will cultivate the ability to analyze and critically evaluate the application of various psychological, sociological, developmental and criminological theories to prevention, intervention, and correctional strategies in a way that limits delinquency and achieves social justice in a diverse and mult-cultural community.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: CRJ 100, CRJ 201, CRJ 205
CJUS 381 Homeland SecurityThis course examines the organization, functions, and strategies of the Department of Homeland Security and its member agencies. How can the department meet the new challenges caused by global and domestic terrorist threats, natural, and man-made disasters and cultural changes within the United states and the world? Students will also explore examples of various security threats and the DHS response to them and examine management style and structure in the department.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
CJUS 388 International and Domestic TerrorismThis course examines aspects of extremism and terrorism in a historical, cultural and tactical context and relates the use of terrorism to contemporary issues of international domestic terrorism facing the United States today. Paramilitarism, white supremacy groups, hate groups, religious fundamentalism, and foreign terrorist groups throughout the world and through history will be investigated and studied with sophisticated theories of analysts.
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: None
CJUS 410 Theories of Crime and DevianceThis course examines various explanations of crime and deviance from a variety of perspectives: Biological, Psychological, Sociological, Feminist, and Conflict, among others.
3 credits
Prerequisites: CJUS 205
CJUS 444 Constitutional LawAn in-depth study of the U.S. Constitution and the development of basic constitutional principles such as judicial review and the separation of powers via the case-study method. The course will also examine the development and interpretation of individual rights and liberties under the Constitution through the examination of landmark cases and recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court, especially as it applies to law enforcement, the courts, and the criminal justice system.
3 credits
CJUS 471 Law, Justice, and the American FamilyLaw, Justice, and the American Family: Modern Family Law draws from constitutional law, criminal law, conflict of laws, and the laws of contracts, torts, property, inheritance, and even taxation. Students will examine the law as it involves the formation and dissolution of modern families, both traditional and non-traditional, violence against family members, adoption, custody and support of children, and government interventions in family issues. This course will also cover evolution the family law and dispute resolution process.
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 497 Independent StudyAllows students to construct an individualized course of study under the direction of a faculty member.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor.
CJUS 498 Senior Thesis 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
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
COM 312
MATH 110 Introduction to StatisticsThis course presents the basic principles of statistics with applications to the social sciences. Topics include descriptive statistics, graphical representations of data, normal probability distributions and the Central Limit Theorem, linear correlation and regression and probability theory. This course also offers an introduction to the use of statistical software. Formerly MAT 110 Introduction to Statistics.
3 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 102, MATH 108, MATH 109 or higher level mathematics course.
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 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. Formerly SOC 342 Research Methods.
3 credits
Prerequisites: SOCY 100 and MATH 110