Criminal Justice Course Descriptions

CJ 201 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3)
Provides an overview of the American criminal justice system. Examines the history, functions, structures, processes and interactions of the three principal components of American criminal justice: police, courts and corrections. Prerequisite to required CJ courses.

CJ 250 Victimology
Focuses on victims of crime. It will examine such topics as patterns and trends in victimization, theories of victimization, the impact of crimes on victims, victim services and programs, and the criminal justice response to criminal victimization.

CJ 255a Film: Criminal Justice Issues and the Media (3)
Examines how citizens’ attitudes and perceptions about the criminal justice system, criminal justice, and the law are influenced by movies–strong cultural objects with powerful messages. A number of social, political, and legal issues currently germane to criminal justice are examined. The course addresses the film treatment of issues concerning police, courts, corrections, criminal justice, law, organized crime, the drug culture, gangs, prejudice, corruption, prison life, death row inmates, and other timely topics.

CJ 260 Domestic and International Terrorism (3)
Investigates the roots and dynamics of modern terrorism, both at home and abroad, through an in-depth study of the causes of terrorism, types of terrorism, terrorist tactics, counter-terrorism strategies, and the impact of terrorism on social life. Case study analysis of recent incidents will also be presented.

CJ 275 Juvenile Justice (3)
Traces the historical development of the juvenile court. Theories of delinquency causation, prevention and control are examined. Discussion topics include the juvenile justice process, the juvenile court and procedural safeguards, juvenile institutions and diversion programs and trends in juvenile justice reform. Prerequisite: CJ 201.

CJ 280 Community-Based Corrections (3)
Examines the variety of correctional programs commonly referred to as community-based corrections. Emphasis is upon probation, parole, pre-trial release programs, intermediate sanctions, and halfway houses. The application of these programs to special offender groups, as well as to the larger population of adult male offenders, will be addressed. The overall effectiveness of these programs will be evaluated. Prerequisite: CJ 201.

CJ 290 Institutional Treatment of the Offender (3)
Traces the historical development of institutions for confinement. Discussion topics include the physical and social environments of the institutions, problems of rehabilitation in institutional settings, the correctional institution as a community and the various programs in correctional institutions. Present evidence concerning effectiveness with respect to the aims of deterrence and rehabilitation is explored. Prerequisite: CJ 201.

CJ 350 Criminal Justice System and Women (3)
Examines the place of women in the criminal justice system, including women as victims, criminals, and professionals in criminal justice. Explores myths about women and crime and current sociological theories about the causes of, and the place of, women in crime.

CJ 384 The Police and Law Enforcement (3)
Traces the historical development of the police in England and the U.S. Police roles are examined, as well as law enforcement policy, police management, police operations and police organization. Current issues and trends are examined. Prerequisite: CJ 201.

CJ 387 Organized Crime (3)
Examines roots in 19th century immigration with focus on vice, political corruption, prohibition, rackets, and drugs. Focus is on the city of Chicago with attention to the political and economic conditions of the time.

CJ 388 Counseling and Guidance of the Offender (3)
Covers the basic principles and techniques of counseling adult and juvenile offenders. The course includes interviewing, case conferences, case histories, individual and group counseling, classification procedures and treatment programs
for offenders.

CJ 390 U. S. Courts: Structure and Functioning (3)
Covers the structure and functioning of both the state and federal court systems. Discussion topics include types of jurisdiction, bail, the criminal trial processes, and the judiciary and judicial power, including the areas of separation of powers. Prerequisite: CJ 201.
AN/CJ/SO 410a Seminar: Topics in Anthropology, Sociology, and Criminal Justice (3)
Involves intensive study and exploration of rotating topics in the fields of anthropology, sociology, and/or criminal justice. These topics will focus on timely social issues, specialized content areas, and/or methods of social research. A minimum GPA of 2.5 is required.

CJ 425 Criminal Investigation (3)
Focuses on investigation as a science of inquiry with an emphasis on the legal significance of evidence. Examines methods of searching for, collecting and evaluating physical evidence, locating and interviewing witnesses, and the role of the crime laboratory in criminal investigation.

CJ 430 Crime and Criminal Law (3)
Traces the definition of crime and the origins of criminal law in the U.S. Discussion topics include basic legal terminology, classification of crimes, specific criminal offenses, and the N.J. courts. The conflicting models of justice, due process, and crime control are discussed. Focus is upon the Bill of Rights and major Supreme Court decisions as they affect the operation of the courts, including the juvenile courts and correctional systems. Prerequisite: CJ 201.

CJ 479 Cooperative Education (3)
Provides for the integration of classroom study with a specific, planned period of supervised learning through paid work experience related to a student’s career goals.

CJ 489 Field Internship (3)
Offers qualified students the opportunity to do off-campus field work by individual arrangement.

CJ 499 Independent Study (3)
Offers qualified students the opportunity to pursue independent study in selected areas under the guidance of department faculty. By permission.