CRJS 202: The Police Function
An introduction to American policing that will provide an analytical framework for understanding the police as a product of a balance of social, historical, political, legal, individual, and organizational forces. The course will examine theoretical propositions about the police in light of current research literature and analyze the three major functions of policing in the United States: law enforcement, service provision, and the maintenance of order. The legal parameters of policing and Police Administration are reviewed in relation to contemporary issues that pose substantial challenges to police officers and administrators and finally probes Contemporary Concerns and Future Challenges such as the critical issues of deadly force, AIDS, affirmative action, and police deviance. The student will also explore the contemporary police industry including public and private agencies at the federal, state and municipal levels.
Prerequisite: CRJS 110. 3 credits, Spring and Distance Learning (Internet)
CRJS 205: Principles of Private Security and Loss Prevention
An introduction to principles of private security and loss prevention, including the history and role of private security; threat assessment and security survey; and principles of physical security, including personnel security and functional area security systems. This course will also focus on the legal aspects of private security, touching on civil and criminal liabilities.
3 credits
CRJS 215: Introduction to Conservation Law Enforcement
This course is designed to introduce the student to the theory and practice of Conservation Law Enforcement. Knowledge gained from this course can be applied to any state or federal position that is designed to enhance, protect, and conserve the natural areas of the United States. Issues concerning officer expectations/duties, levels of danger, training, waterway conservation, and game enforcement will be covered in great detail. Additionally, this course will expose the student to constitutional law, criminal law (ie., PA Fish and Boat Code), natural resource law, and the United States Code of Federal Statutes and Regulations.
Prerequisite: CRJS 110. 3 credits
CRJS 230: Juvenile Delinquency and Adolescent Development
This course examines delinquency in American society, the history of delinquency and major theoretical concepts that have been utilized to explain criminal behavior and juvenile delinquency with suggestions for the future. Ethnographic research methods will be utilized to identify behaviors and place qualitative meaning to the observed behaviors.
3 credits, every semester, only Distance Learning (Internet)
CRJS 240: Criminological Theory
This course is designed to provide an overview of the scientific study of crime as a social phenomenon of criminal behavior. Criminology theory will be addressed from a sociological perspective and issues related to the measurement and extent of crime. The major schools of thought will be discussed utilizing the founders of each school and supplementing their premises with supporting criminology research. 3 credits, Fall and Distance Learning (Internet)
CRJS 250: Criminal Justice Research Methods
This course is designed to introduce the student to the basic concepts, terminology, and techniques germane to criminal justice research. More specifically, the student will become familiar with both qualitative and quantitative research designs, formulating research hypotheses, asking appropriate questions on a survey or interview, data recording, data analysis, and ethical responsibilities. The skills acquired in this course will be beneficial for both the future graduate student and the criminal justice practitioner.
Prerequisite: CRJS 240. 3 credits, Spring
CRJS 302: Contemporary Correctional Programs
This course introduces the student to modern American correctional programs. It examines the nature of programs as well as a wide variety of contemporary programs, both inside and outside institutions, judged to be exemplary by correctional professionals. This course provides a broad overview of effective correctional treatment as well as career opportunities in the field. Through research, class presentations and a paper focusing on one effective program per student, this course will expose the student to both the variety and complexity of modern correctional programs.
Prerequisites: CRJS 110, 201. 3 credits
CRJS 303: Issues in Law Enforcement
Topics of current interest will be discussed, including police-community relations, police decision-making, and concepts in police practice and administration. 3 credits
CRJS 304: Issues in Corrections
This course will focus on alternatives to traditional modes of incarceration, current trends in the treatment of offenders and innovations and problems in correctional administration. 3 credits
CRJS 305: Environmental Law and Policy
This course will explore some of the salient environmental issues of our day, and analyze the various laws and policies that have been developed to neutralize the various environmental threats. Students will be exposed to such topics as: Methods of Policy Analysis, Sources of Environmental Law and Policies, Land Resources and Environmental Policy, Clean Air and Air Quality, Waste Disposal, and Clean Water and Water Quality. Additionally, students will have an opportunity to an in-depth analysis of an environmental law or policy of their choosing and present their report in class. 3 credits
CRJS 310: Investigative Concepts
This course of study should help the Criminal Justice student to gather and analyze data gathered in the process of criminal and civil investigations including: investigative techniques, photography, note taking, sketching; identifying, collecting, examining, processing physical evidence; obtaining information, developing, identifying and locating suspects. Prerequisites: CRJS 110, 202. 3 credits, Fall and Distance Learning (Internet)
CRJS 315: Introduction to Criminal Law
This course is a generic study of criminal law in the United States, and does not cover any specific federal or state law. Topics include principles of criminal law, principles of criminal liability, complicity, inchoate crimes, defenses, justifications, excuses, crimes against persons, crimes against property, and crimes against public order. (No prerequisites)
3 credits, Distance Learning (Internet)
CRJS 320: Criminal Law and Procedure
This course examines the dynamic balance of the power of the government (to enforce the criminal law) against the rights of the individual to come and go as they please without government interference. Additionally, we will study about judicial review, constitutional supremacy, and the protections of state constitutional rights concerning criminal procedure as related to federal constitutional protections. The course will cover the area of search and seizure law, its current status as well as its historical development (through the tracing of case law); the ever-changing laws on interrogation, confessions, identifications, and courtroom procedures such as right to counsel, right to jury trials, the laws governing sentencing and direct and collateral attacks on convictions. There will be a review of the remedies afforded by law to an individual when the government violates the rights its constitution and statutes provides. This is a required Criminal Justice Upper level core course.
Recommended prerequisite: Intro to Criminal Law, Intro to Criminal Justice.
3 credits, spring and Distance Learning (Internet)
CRJS 321: Criminal Evidence
This course provides a thorough study of the evidence rules, with specific emphasis on the application of these rules in preparing and presenting evidence. This includes a discussion of the history and approach to the study of evidence; proof by evidence and substitutes; general admissibility tests, including relevancy and materiality; opinion and expert testimony, and hearsay rule; evidence by way of witness testimony, documents, scientific and real evidence; and exclusion of evidence on constitutional grounds. For better understanding of the evidence rules, judicial decisions are cited and some are included in Part II of the required text. This is a Criminal Justice upper level Elective course.
Recommended but not required: CRJS 110, 320, 315.
3 credits, Fall 2008, 2009 and Distance Learning (Internet)
CRJS 322: Correctional Counseling and Case Management
An examination of strategies for affecting offender behavior change by correctional counseling and case management in both institutional and community based settings. Emphasis will be on functional and contemporary approaches. CRJS elective.
Prerequisite: CRJS 201. 3 credits
CRJS 324: Issues in Criminal Justice
This course examines the various social, legal, and ethical issues surrounding computing and modern technology. Although it is not designed to be a 'technical' course, students in computer science, humanities, social sciences, and criminal justice will benefit from the course content. Issues covered include privacy and information, wiretapping and encryption, software protection, and professional ethics. 3 credits
CRJS 326: White Collar, Occupational, and Organized Crime
The focus of this course is crime committed in professional organized and other occupational settings. The emphasis will be on current research and case histories, and will include material on etiology and law enforcement. CRJS elective.
Prerequisites for Criminal Justice majors: CRJS 110, 240. 3 credits
CRJS 327: Gangs in Society
This course will examine contemporary gangs, gang life and law enforcement efforts to study and coordinate the community's response to them. A wide variety of topics and issues will be covered, including: female gangs and ganging, ethnic diversity, economic, neighborhood, and school gang behavior; gun and drug relationships, and research methods used in the study of gangs. There will also be discussions on recruiting, gang identification, gang slang, graffiti, and major national gangs. 3 credits
CRJS 328: Drugs of Abuse
The U.S. has the highest rate of drug abuse of any industrialized country in the world. This course is designed to provide the student with a broad understanding and insight into drug abuse within American society and it's impact upon society in general. The primary focus will be on how the criminal justice system, health care system, and other institutions attempt to deal with the nations' drug problem. The course will focus on what has been done in the past by society about the drug problem, what is and what is not working now, and what needs to be done in the future. 3 credits
CRJS 330: The Juvenile Justice System
This course will provide an overview of the American Juvenile Justice System. The student will review the history, theories and origin of juvenile justice, consider influential factors and explore various causes that contribute to delinquent behavior. We will examine status offender, juvenile delinquency, deprived, dependent, neglected and abused children. Issues of early development, the family, schools, and community and peer relationships will be considered as to how it contributes to the proper development and/or anti-social behaviors of the child. The course will then examine the victim's rights and the roles of law enforcement, Juvenile Court, probation officers, and social workers. Discussion will focus on the community, service providers, preventative techniques and treatment modes all aimed at impacting the delinquent/dependent child. Final thoughts will involve the future of Juvenile Justice.
3 credits, Spring and Distance Learning (Internet)
CRJS 332: Balance and Restorative Justice
This course introduces the student to the state of the art in juvenile justice. It provides the student with an understanding and a working knowledge of the key principles in balanced and restorative justice. Key issues that will be addressed are how to implement and measure these principles. 3 credits
CRJS 333: Victimology
This course will examine the plight of victims including child maltreatment, domestic violence, victimization at work and school. It further explores the extent of homicide victimization. In reviewing the above mentioned topics, guest speakers with expertise in these areas will present their viewpoints on the extent of victimology. Throughout this course, the BARJ principle will be the focus in balancing the victim's role in the criminal justice system. 3 credits
CRJS 335: Administrative Management of Criminal Justice Agencies
This course introduces the student to the realities of both administration and management of criminal justice agencies in contemporary America. It provides a comprehensive perspective regarding interpersonal skills, basic management techniques, training, motivating and supervising and appraising others, dealing with difficult people, and getting things done through others. This is a CRJS upper level elective.
Prerequisites: CRJS 110, 201, 202. 3 credits, Spring, odd years
CRJS 340: Seminar: Women and Crime
This course examines how the Criminal Justice System, and the influences of formal and informal social controls to which women have been subjected. Historical perspective is integrated with contemporary reality, and attention is focused on women as professionals, offenders, and victims. Focus will be placed on both formal and informal institutions from Colonial America, Victorian France and England, to the present day. Theoretical perspectives on gender inequality will be explored by reviewing the strengths and the limitations of traditional Social Theories. Marxism, Rational choice theories, Psychoanalysis, Ethnomethodology, and Expectation states theory will be some of the theories reviewed. This is a CRJS upper level elective and an accepted course in the Women's Studies minor.
3 credits Distance Learning (Internet) and offered in the Fall-Odd years
CRJS 350: Criminal Justice Ethics
An introduction into the application of ethical theories relevant to the practice of the criminal justice system. The course is designed to focus upon and emphasize the most significant moral issues faced by criminal justice professionals today. The student will be required to conduct a detailed examination of these issues and to apply the various ethical theories, codes, and canons to arrive at a moral decision. CRJS majors/minors. Upper level.
Prerequisite: CRJS 240. 3 credits
CRJS 390-394: Special Topics in Criminal Justice 1-3 credits
CRJS 395-399: Independent Study
By permission only. 1-3 credits
CRJS 490: Internship Field Placement
An opportunity for students to engage in participant observation, task performance or other related activities in an agency of the criminal justice system. The student is required to engage in such activities for a minimum of 10-20 hours per week during an entire semester. Open only to students with a minimum QPA of 2.5 and who have completed 15 credit hours of the criminal justice concentration.
Prerequisite: CRJS 110, 201, 202. By permission only. 1-9 credits, Every semester
CRJS 495: Criminal Justice Capstone/Senior Seminar
This course examines the current status of the criminal justice system, specifically what constitutes a healthy community and how communities respond to crime and the reintegration of ex-offenders. We will analyze programs and pitfalls of communities as well as the programs and pitfalls to successful reintegration of ex-offenders. Students will be able to focus on a particular issue of their own interest and share their findings with the class. Students will be able to apply what they have learned in both a descriptive paper and a presentation format. Furthermore, students will be required to begin a job search. Students will also engage in a service learning project or conduct a neighborhood assessment of crime. The Criminal Justice Capstone course is interchangeable for the LS 383 requirement. Thesis: seniors, Criminal Justice majors.
Prerequisites: CRJS 240, 250. 3 credits, Every Semester
Criminal Justice Curriculum
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)
FRESHMAN
Fall
3 College Comp/LENG 111
3 Modern Language
3 Sacred Scripture/LTHE 121
3 Intro to CRJS/CRJS 110
3 Business Technology I/CIS 150
2 First-Year Seminar: Issues in CRJS/CRJS 108
17
Spring
3 Crit Analysis & Comp/LENG 112
3 Correctional Process/CRJS 201
3 Modern Language
3 U.S. Govt & Politics/POLI 111
3 Service Learning Sem/CRJS 111
3 History of West & World/LHST 111
18
SOPHOMORE
Fall
3 Theology II Series/LTHE
3 Public Policy Analysis/POLI 122
3 Intro to Psych/PSYC 111
3 Introduction to Philosophy/LPHI 131
3 Criminalogical Theory/CRJS 240
15
Spring
3 Basic Sociology/SOCI 110
3 Police Function/CRJS 202
3 Fund. Speech/SPCH 111
3 Cognate
3 Research Methods/CRJS 250
15
JUNIOR
Fall
3 Fine Art Series/LFIN
3 Philosophy II Series/LPHI
3 Ethics/CRJS 350
3 Investigative Concepts/CRJS 310
3 Cognate or upper level CRJS Electives
15
Spring
3 Juv Justice/CRJS 330
3 Cognate or Upper Level CRJS Electives
3 Crim Law & Proc/CRJS 320
3 MATH
3 Theology or Phil III Series/LTHE or LPHI
1 Leadership Seminar
16
SENIOR
Fall
6 CRJS upper level or Cognate Electives
3 Cognate
3 LS Science
3 Literature Series/LENG
15
Spring
3 Senior Seminar/LBST 383 or
Professional Capstone/CRJS 495
3 CRJS upper level Electives
11 General Electives
17
* It is recommended that students take at least 15 credits of curriculum requirements each semester and at least 2 elective credits to obtain full benefit from tuition fees. This practice will insure that the student accrues more credit hours (137) at no additional cost, than the required (128) for graduation. (This is in addition to the (1) 18 credit semester).
Criminal Justice Associate Degree Curriculum
3 College Composition/LENG 111 or Critical Analysis/LENG 112
3 History of The West and The World/LHST 111
3 Sacred Scripture/LTHE 121
3 Introduction to Philosophy/LPHI 131
3 Theology or Philosophy III Series
3 Basic Sociology/SOCI 110 or Introduction to Psychology/PSYC 111
2 First-Year Seminar: Issues in CRJS/CRJS 108
3 Introduction to Criminal Justice/CRJS 110
3 Correctional Process/CRJS 201
3 Police Function/CRJS 202
3 Criminological Theory/CRJS 240
3 Investigative Concept/CRJS 310
3 Criminal Law and Procedure/CRJS 320
9 Criminal Justice Courses level 300 or 400
3 U.S. Government and Politics/POLI 111
3 Fundamentals of Speech/SPCH 111
3 Mathematics
3 Business Technology I/CIS 150
6 Cognates
65 credits
Concentrations in the areas of Corrections, Juvenile Justice, Forensics, and Behavioral Specialist are also available through the Criminal Justice Program. All core Criminal Justice courses are offered through the Center for Adult Learning-Distance Learning Internet and are meant to accommodate the non-traditional and/or returning to education student. The core courses are also offered annually in the traditional classroom setting (evenings) over a two-year cycle.
Certificates in Criminal Justice
Issues relating to Criminal Justice and Juvenile Justice are constantly in the news. Crime prevention, law enforcement and treatment of offenders are very real priorities in society today, and individuals trained in these areas are in high demand. The Criminal Justice and Juvenile Justice Certificates are ideal for individuals wishing to focus their careers in these dynamic areas. These 18-credit programs are open to anyone, including those already possessing a Bachelor's degree who may wish to re-examine their career path. All courses are offered Open University through the Center for Adult Learning if the student is pursuing a certificate.
BEHAVIORAL SPECIALIST MINOR OR CERTIFICATE
This series of courses is designed to give you the basic principles and theories to be able to behaviorally assess and evaluate, develop and implement positive behavioral support plans, and consult and collaborate with families, schools and other agencies working with an identified child.
Students involved in Education, Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Social Work should find this specialization an enhancement for career advancement.
3 Seminar in Emotional and Behavior Disorders/CRBH 355
3 Instructional and Therapeutic Interventions for Treatment Design/CRBH 358
3 Applied Behavioral Analysis and Intervention/CRBH 365
3 Interagency Collaboration and Consultation/CRBH 370
6 Behavioral Specialist Practicum/CRBH 475
18 credits
CORRECTIONS MINOR OR CERTIFICATE
3 Introduction to Criminal Justice/CRJS 110
3 The Corrections Process/CRJS 201
3 Contemporary Correctional Programs/CRJS 302
3 Critical Issues in Crime and Justice/CRJS 304
3 Criminological Theory/CRJS 240
3 Administration and Management in Criminal Justice/CRJS 335 or
Internship Field Placement/CRJS 490
18 credits
CRIMINAL JUSTICE MINOR OR CERTIFICATE
A total of 18 credits will be required for a minor in Criminal Justice. Non-majors who desire a minor with specific concentrations are required to complete the following courses.
Criminal Justice Minor
3 Introduction to Criminal Justice/CRJS 110
3 Criminological Theory/CRJS 240
3 The Correctional Process/CRJS 201
3 Police Function/CRJS 202
3 Criminal Law and Procedure/CRJS 320
3 Investigative Concepts/CRJS 310, Introduction to Criminal Law/CRJS 315,
Criminal Evidence/CRJS 321, Juvenile Justice/CRJS 330, Juvenile Delinquency
and Adolescent Development/CRJS 230, Gangs in Society/CRJS 327, Drugs of
Abuse/CRJS 328, or Internship Field Placement/CRJS 490
18 credits
CRIMINAL JUSTICE APPLIED FORENSIC INVESTIGATION MINOR OR CERTIFICATE
Forensic Science curriculum is designed to provide students with the skills in the area of criminology, civil and criminal investigations, the collection and analysis of crime scene evidence, ensuring the reliability, relevance and the admissibility (integrity) of the chain of evidence, and preparing evidence for presentation in court.
3 Introduction to Criminal Justice/CRJS 110
3 Criminological Theory/CRJS 240
3 Investigative Concepts/CRJS 310
3 Criminalistics I: Intro to Investigative Forensics/CRFO 210 or CHEM 170
Take 9 credits from the following courses:
3 Introduction to Criminal Law/CRJS 315
3 Criminal Evidence/CRJS 321
3 Forensic Biological Evidence/CRFO 312
3 Forensic Crime Scene Techniques and Technology/CRFO 318
3 Expert Witness: Crime Scene Courtroom Testimony/CRFO 325
3 Digital Evidence/Computer Crime/CRFO 345
3 Investigation Internet Crime/CRFO 350
3 Principles of Forensic (Kinesic) Interview and Interrogation/CRFO 360
24 total credits
JUVENILE JUSTICE MINOR OR CERTIFICATE
3 Introduction to Criminal Justice/CRJS 110
3 Criminological Theory/CRJS 240
3 The Correctional Process/CRJS 201
3 Juvenile Delinquency-Adolescent Development/CRJS 230
3 Juvenile Justice/CRJS 330
3 Correctional Counseling & Case Management/CRJS 322
or Drugs of Abuse/CRJS 328 or Balance & Restorative Justice/CRJS 332
or Victimology/CRJS 333
18 credits
*Non-matriculated students will receive a Criminal Justice and/or a Juvenile Justice Certificate.
THE NEXT STEP
Baccalaureate Degree Program for Graduates of Two Year Colleges
Criminal Justice
(Numerals in front of courses indicate credits)
Pre-Senior Year
3 Basic Sociology/SOCI 110
3 Introduction to Criminal Justice/CRJS 110
3 The Correctional Process/CRJS 201
3 The Police Function/CRJS 202
3 Fundamentals of Criminology/CRJS 240
3 Cognate
3 Sacred Scriptures/LTHE 121
3 Introduction to Philosophy/LPHI 131
3 General Electives
3 Literature Series/LENG
3 Fine Arts Series/LFIN
33
Senior Year
3 Investigative Concepts/CRJS 310
3 Juvenile Justice/CRJS 330
3 Criminal Law and Procedure/CRJS 320
9 Criminal Justice Upper Level Elect
6 Foreign Language
3 Senior Seminar/LBST 383 or
Professional Capstone/CRJS 495
3 Business Technology/CIS 150
3 Theology or Phil III Series/LTHE or LPHI
33
Students will be permitted to take other courses in substitution for any course listed above which they have satisfactorily completed prior to admission into the Next Step program. Students are required to complete 18 credits in the Core of Discovery Program at Gannon.
All students graduating from the College of Humanities must have completed six credits of a Modern Foreign Language.