Criminal Justice Courses I

CRJ 101 FOUNDATIONS OF JUSTICE

This course provides the student with an introduction to the process of the American criminal justice system. It surveys the law enforcement process and the roles of police, prosecuting and defense attorneys, judges, court personnel and correctional staff in the administration of justice. It examines the social values and societal expectations that inform evolving criminal justice concerns. (Offered Fall, Spring) 3 credits

CRJ 203 THEORIES OF CRIME

This course will introduce the student to the study of criminology. It will focus on the explanations that have been offered for the existence of criminal behavior. It will explore the history and application of classical as well as contemporary biological, psychological, social and economic perspectives on crime causation. Prerequisite: CRJ 101. (Offered Fall, Spring) 3 credits

CRJ 213 CRIMINALISTICS: THEORY AND PRACTICE

The accumulation and processing of physical evidence is an essential component of criminal and civil investigations. This course will introduce the student to the techniques of scientific criminal investigation and the forensic photographing, collection, processing and documentation of crime scene data, such as: fingerprints, hair, blood and body fluid samples, footwear outsole patterns, tire tracks, gunshot residues, cordage and glass and textile fibers. Case illustrations will be drawn from leading criminal cases. The role of the forensic scientist as "expert witness" in trial proceedings will be examined. Prerequisites: CRJ 101, one course in the Natural Sciences. (Offered Fall) 3 credits

CRJ 221 VICTIMOLOGY

This course examines the nature and causes of victimization and the role of the victim in society. It presents patterns and trends in victimization, victim types, categories of risk, vulnerability, facilitation and precipitation. It profiles the interactions that take place between the criminal, the victim and the criminal justice system. It examines classical victim theory, victim blaming and the social stigmatization of victims. The net effects the victims' rights movements and the implications of contemporary backlash movements against victims are discussed. (Offered Fall) 3 credits

CRJ 223 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Violence that takes place within the family was not always considered criminal. This course will introduce the student to the social phenomena that provided the impetus for the enactment of modern domestic relations laws and child protection statutes. It will examine the nature and consequences of domestic violence and the challenging role of the criminal justice system in redressing intra-familial crimes. (Offered Spring) 3 credits

CRJ 227 VIOLENCE AND AGGRESSION

This course introduces the student to the evolving methods, patterns and meanings of violence and aggression and the theories that address them. It examines individual and collective forms of violence in home, school, street, mob and military situations. It analyzes the functions of the criminal justice system in anticipating, preventing, containing and controlling acts of violence and aggression. (Offered Fall) 3 credits

CRJ 230 JUVENILE JUSTICE

The origins, philosophies and roles of the Juvenile Justice System and its formal and informal components. This course provides the student with an overview of the constitutional rights and responsibilities of the juvenile in American society. It presents the roles of parents and governments acting in loco parentis. It surveys the roles of the police, the court, the public and private agencies and the various modalities of juvenile treatment and detention. Special emphasis is placed on Juvenile Justice in New York State. (Offered Fall) 3 credits

CRJ 237 DEVIANT BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL CONTROL

(also SOC 237; formerly CRJ 137)

This course presents an integrated interdisciplinary analysis of the variety of human behaviors that have been objectively and subjectively labeled deviant. It examines the theoretical approaches to the causes of deviance including theories of opportunity, social organization, social distress, power, responsibility and mental illness. It introduces the student to the processes of punishment and control and the modalities of treatment that have been employed to deter and combat deviant behaviors. (Offered Fall) 3 credits

CRJ 240 POLICE

(formerly CRJ 140)

An introduction to the development of modern policing, the military and professional models of police work and the contemporary roles and responsibilities of the American police officer. Topics include: Police selection, training and deployment, the patrol function, the investigative function, the traffic control function, the mediation function, the community relations function and the roles of specialized police units such as Emergency Services and SWAT teams. (Offered Spring) 3 credits

CRJ 241 POLICE AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS

(formerly CRJ 141)

Police officers are being trained to balance the requirements of peacekeeping and the maintenance of order with the imperatives of civil rights and civil liberties. Police departments have undertaken initiatives such as "community policing" that are designed to enhance their relationships with the communities they serve. This course will examine the history of police and community relations, the tensions experienced by police officers and the communities they serve and the development of theoretical approaches and trends in this field. Famous cases of police and community interactions will be examined. (Offered Fall) 3 credits

CRJ 245 PROBATION AND PAROLE

(formerly CRJ 145)

This course introduces the student to the theory and practice of probation and parole as alternatives to incarceration. It examines the roots of current social and political controversies in these fields. It includes an analysis of the processes and procedures of probation and parole as well as the functions of preliminary investigations, the intensive involvement of specialized private agencies and the variety of factors that may impact upon the determination of the granting and revocation of probation and parole. It assesses various career options in these fields. (Offered Fall) 3 credits

CRJ 250 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND CRIME

(formerly CRJ 150)

This course will examine the relationship between controlled substances and criminal activity. It will examine the social use and abuse of alcohol and drugs, the ramifications of addiction, the legislative control of these substances and the standards of enforcement of statutes relating to their production, distribution, purchase and use. The effectiveness of local, national and international criminal justice initiatives will be discussed in light of the problematic involvement of organized criminal enterprises and the prevailing of social and economic forces operating within American inner cities. (Offered Spring) 3 credits

CRJ 260 ORGANIZED CRIME

(formerly CRJ 160)

An introduction to the history of organized crime and its impact upon American society. This course will examine the process through which an organized crime "family" develops, operates and institutionalizes. It will evaluate legislative and criminal justice strategies enacted and implemented to combat organized crime. It will include an analysis of the roles of individuals within crime syndicates, the nature and consequences of organized criminal activities and the social and criminal justice ramifications of the glamorization of notorious crime figures in the news media and in fiction. Prerequisite: CRJ 101 (Offered Fall) 3 credits

CRJ 263 CORRECTIONS: PHILOSOPHIES, METHODS AND PROGRAMS

This course will examine the origins, development and evolution of traditional and non-traditional American correctional systems. The correctional philosophies ranging from punishment to rehabilitation and reintegration will be examined. The implementation of these philosophies and the effectiveness of historical, contemporary and futuristic correctional initiatives will be evaluated. (Offered Spring) 3 credits

CRJ 280 CRIMINAL LAW

(formerly CRJ 182, SOC 182, CRJ 180, SOC 180)

An examination for the rationale of the existence of the criminal law, the historical antecedents of contemporary laws and the development of American jurisprudence. Introduces the student to the social and individual implications of criminal law. Utilizes examples from state and federal laws to illustrate various substantive legal issues and to examine the roles of legislatures and courts in establishing and modifying criminal statutes. Prerequisite: CRJ 101 (Offered Fall, Spring) 3 credits

CRJ 281 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

(formerly SOC 181 and CRJ 181)

Criminal procedure revolves around the process of balancing the need of society to effectively redress criminal activity while preserving the constitutionally guaranteed rights of the criminal. This course will examine the process by which criminal law has been brought to bear upon the individual by analyzing cases in which the U.S. Supreme Court has reviewed the actions of police, prosecuting attorneys and judges. The enduring social implications of these cases will be discussed. Prerequisite: CRJ 101 and CRJ 280 (Offered Fall, Spring) 3 credits

CRJ 283 LAW AND SOCIETY

(also SOC 283; formerly CRJ 183)

This course examines the relationship between the legal system and the evolving cultural values and social expectations. It focuses upon the social ramifications of contemporary court cases dealing with constitutional issues, criminal law, civil law, torts, professional malpractice, family law and administrative procedures. Lower court decisions, appeals and Supreme Court decisions and their implications for each citizen and for the society as a whole are discussed and debated. Prerequisite: CRJ 101 (Offered Spring) 3 credits

CRJ 337 PSYCHOLOGY OF CRIMINAL PROFILING

(also PSY 337)

This course will study the history and describe the methods of psychological criminal profiling. The salient psychological and behavioral characteristics of serial murderers will be investigated. Case histories of serial offenders will be studied. Prerequisites: PSY 111 and a Psychology elective. 3 credits

CRJ 339 FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY

(also PSY 339)

This course will demonstrate the role of psychologists in the criminal justice system. The emphasis will be on various applications of psychological principles in the areas of law enforcement, the courts and prison. Prerequisites: PSY 111 and a Psychology elective. (Offered Spring) 3 credits

CRJ 340 WOMEN AND CRIME

(formerly CRJ 240)

This course examines the involvement of women in various aspects of crime. It introduces the student to the motivations, roles and concerns of women who are victims, women who are major and minor offenders, women who are living in institutions or correctional facilities and women who have become criminal justice professionals. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Status (Offered Spring) 3 credits

CRJ 350 CRITICAL ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

(formerly CRJ 250)

This course will survey critical contemporary "due process" concerns. It will introduce the student to the discourse and debate in criminal justice scholarship on the polemics of gender discrimination, racial inequality, abrogation of the rights of the accused and the rights of victims, capital punishment, the insanity defense and the merits of incarceration, probation and parole and their alternatives. The student will become familiar with criminal justice texts, journals, periodicals and resources and learn how to access and research these critical issues in criminal justice. Prerequisites: Junior or Senior Status and CRJ 280 and CRJ 281 (Offered Fall, Spring) 3 credits

CRJ 361 CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE

(formerly CRJ 261)

The criminal justice system in each country is informed by and responsive to a unique set of cultural imperatives. This course will introduce the student to the variety of criminal justice systems operating in advanced industrial democracies, totalitarian regimes and developing countries. It will examine indigenous and imposed concepts of law and justice, the rights of the accused, general rules of procedure and methods of punishment and rehabilitation in a cross-cultural perspective. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Status (Offered Spring) 3 credits

CRJ 390 TOPICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

(formerly CRJ 296 and CRJ 396)

Each offering of this course will consist of an in-depth study of a topic that is not covered in current course selections. Each semester's CRJ 390 course title will be announced prior to the term offered. This course number may be repeated with different course titles for credit. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior Status and Approval of the Chairperson. (Offered Fall, Spring) 1-3 credits

CRJ 460 CRIMINAL JUSTICE INTERNSHIP I

(formerly CRJ 280)

This course provides the student with the opportunity to intern in a Criminal Justice Agency. The student performs 120 hours of supervised fieldwork at the criminal justice agency, attends a weekly seminar or scheduled meeting with the supervising professor at Molloy College, maintains a weekly log of fieldwork experiences and writes an essay integrating criminal justice theory with the practical experiences of the internship. Prerequisite: Completion of 18 credits in Criminal Justice and Permission of the Chairperson. (Offered Fall, Spring or Summer) 3 credits

CRJ 461 CRIMINAL JUSTICE INTERNSHIP II

(formerly CRJ 281)

This course provides the student with an additional 150 hours of supervised fieldwork in a criminal justice agency. Prerequisites: satisfactory completion of CRJ 460 and permission of the Chairperson. (Offered upon request) 3 credits

CRJ 470 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

(formerly CRJ 293)

Students who have completed 15 credits in Criminal Justice may select a topic that is not covered in current course selections, for independent study. The topic must be relevant to the Criminal Justice curriculum and must be approved by the Director of the Program. The faculty member who mentors the student develops a formal study plan that includes reading/research requirements, structured assignments and scheduled meetings. Prerequisites: "B" Average and Approval of the Chairperson. (Offered Fall, Spring) 1-4 credits

CRJ 490 SENIOR SEMINAR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

(formerly CRJ 265)

This is a Capstone Course. It serves as the culmination of the student's academic and preprofessional experiences in the Molloy College Criminal Justice Program. It involves a more intensive, critical and empirical examination of a variety of theories, issues and themes of enduring interest that have been examined in prior coursework. Each student will have the opportunity to undertake a guided research project that will culminate in an end-of-semester completion project. Weekly oral presentations of works-in-progress will facilitate the exchange of information and ideas in a Seminar format. Prerequisites: Completion of Criminal Justice Requirements and Senior Status. (Offered Spring) 3 credits