Fall 2008 Semester

CRJ 1000 - Intro. to Criminal Justice     Dr. Lance Hannon
This course examines the U.S. criminal justice system from a sociological perspective. Sociological theories of social control and the origin of law are used to frame important issues of criminal justice and social policy. The most current studies are reviewed on the effectiveness of rehabilitation, decriminalization, deterrence, incapacitation, and various police initiatives. The major components of the criminal justice system (police, courts, and corrections) are analyzed with attention to possible tensions between due process and crime control, bureaucratic efficiency and adversarial checks-and-balances, and the law in theory and the law in practice. Finally, this course emphasizes the importance of understanding the criminal justice system as one of many social institutions relevant for crime reduction, and furthermore, stresses the ways in which effective criminal justice policy is contingent on the viability of other social institutions (family, school, community, and economy).  Section 001 restricted to A&S Freshmen & Sophomores

CRJ 3000/SOC 3000 - Criminology     Dr. Kelly Welch
The focus of this course is on the role of crime and criminals in society. This class is designed to provide a fundamental knowledge of myriad criminological theories, which offer widely varying explanations for criminality. We will explore the nature and dynamics of crime, criminals, victims, society, law, and policy as each theory of crime causation conceptualizes them. Through critical analysis, students will be able to identify how and why certain theories about crime are adopted at particular times and in certain circumstances, and assess the implications for social justice. Furthermore, this insight will inform students’ understanding of the justifications offered for subsequent governmental responses to crime. Cross-listed with SOC 3000.

CRJ 3200 - Police and Society     Dr. William Waegel
Police are the critical gatekeepers into the criminal justice system. Ordinary citizens most commonly have contact with that system by means of a police intervention. Given the wide discretion built into the police role, enforcement agents are often seen as “making up their own rules” in their encounters with citizens. Examination of the police role and function in society, as well as the occupational culture of police, will form the basis for understanding police behavior.
From the Rodney King beating to recent revelations about racial profiling, police often are at the center of major social controversies. Yet, police are also required to do the “dirty work” of society, gruesome or fear-producing work that few other people would be willing to do. Stress associated with the police role has a price, and the rates of divorce, suicide, alcoholism and other problems far exceed those of the general population.
 
CRJ 3300 - Criminal Courts     Dr. Stanley Jacobs
An introduction to the criminal court system in the United States, providing an overview of the several stages of criminal court procedure. The rules, principles, and other factors defining and influencing investigations, prosecutions, and pretrial and trial proceedings will receive continuing emphasis. The background, development and influence of selected Supreme Court decisions will be examined.

CRJ 3330 - Sociology of Law    Dr. Jill McCorkel

A sociological analysis of how the law shapes and is shaped by social structure and culture.  This course will explore the meaning and complexity of legal issues; the relation between law and social change; the effects of law; and uses of law to overcome social disadvantage. Topics include: "law on the books" vs. "law in practice," the legal profession, death penalty, gender & workplace discrimination, the War on Drugs, and race.  Cross-listed w/SOC 3330 and P&J 5000-X

CRJ 3350 - The Supreme Court     Mr. Art Donato, Esq.
In this course, students investigate and discuss the role of the United States Supreme Court. They survey critical areas of the law addressed by the Court beginning with the sociological perspective on the purpose of the Court. Students then examine the ways in which the Supreme Court has dealt with issues such as speech, obscenity, religion, personal privacy, racial and sexual inequality, and capital punishment. The course is conducted in a seminar format with participation required.  Learning objectives include: the acquisition of a current understanding of issues regarding judicial review and constitutional interpretation; to form well-reasoned opinions regarding the Supreme Court’s function and whether or not it enriches American life; to develop well-informed opinions on current legal issues with social implications such as abortion, personal privacy, and capital punishment; and to learn to debate and discuss those opinions in a coherent and articulate fashion.

CRJ 3400 - Penology and Corrections    Dr. Jill McCorkel
This course is designed to stimulate students to think critically about contemporary punishment practices. Our correctional system is facing a crisis of enormous proportions--the United States holds the distinct honor of having the highest rate of incarceration in the world. In spite of this (or perhaps because of it), we continue to be plagued by comparatively high levels of crime. One of our first tasks will be to explore the relationship among crime, punishment, and incarceration. Why do we punish and why does punishment primarily take the form of incarceration? What purpose(s) does punishment serve? Do punishment and incarceration reduce crime? Next, we’ll consider the social, political, and economic implications of mass incarceration. In particular, we’ll explore the extent to which race and class discrimination are stable and enduring features of contemporary punishment practices. Who goes to prison and who does not? With what consequences for individuals, communities, and democracy more generally? Finally, we’ll explore the interior of the punishment process and consider the experience of incarceration and punishment from the perspectives of prisoners, their families, and the counselors, correctional officers, and administrators whose job it is to carry out the punishment process. We’ll explore several aspects of this process in depth, including a comparison of men’s and women’s prisons, race relations among prisoners, prison violence, prisoner’s rights, and the death penalty. This course may include visits to local correctional facilities. Restricted to Service Learning Students; Writing Enriched

CRJ 3800 - Intro. to Victimology    Dr. Kelly Welch

Traditionally, criminologists and criminal justice practitioners have focused the bulk of their attention on offenders and their offenses, rather than on the victims of crime. In recent decades, this focus has shifted to include victims as an important component in understanding and responding to criminality. This course will introduce students to the field of victimology as it relates to criminology and sociology. We will look at the various roles of victims and victimizers, as well as explore issues in victim justice, victim rights and services, law, and society. Students will become familiar with victimological concepts, issues, and research findings. Students will assess victim-oriented policy developments as well as the practical application of policies that have emerged as a result of victim awareness. Importantly, students will be given the opportunity to explore the progression of criminal justice toward a system based on achieving victim justice. Diversity 1 & 2, cross-listed w/PJ 5000-X

CRJ 4000-X38 & X44 - Crime and Delinquency Prevention     Dr. Allison Payne
This course will be an evidence-based analysis of what works, what does not work, and what is promising for programs and policies designed to prevent crime and delinquency in settings such as families, schools, labor markets, places, and communities. It will include a service learning component in which students will mentor at-risk students in Philadelphia schools as the students transition from 8th to 9th grade.  Restricted to Service Learning Students; cross-listed w/PJ 3000-X

CRJ 4000-X - Special Topic: Beyond Forgiveness: Reconciliation and Restorative Justice     Prof. Joyce Zavarich

This course examines the concepts and processes of forgiveness and reconciliation through the lens of theology, philosophy, and social sciences. An understanding of the power of forgiveness and healing in terms of intrapersonal, interpersonal and societal/political conflict and social justice context will be explored. The significance, meaning, and implications of restorative justice will enhance this exploration. Historical and practical case studies of the implementation of restorative justice grounds this examination in concrete circumstances such as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa and restorative justice practices utilized in the criminal justice system.
The course will focus on such challenging questions as: Is the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation? What is the relationship between punishment, repentance, reparation, and forgiveness? Can forgiveness and reconciliation assist in national and international political and justice issues?
There will be an experiential component of the course. Four classes will be held at Graterford Prison to discuss the course material with inmates at the prison. Students must complete a clearance check which will be provided by the professor. Cross-listed w/PJ 3000-X ; Theology 3795-X ; & Ethics 3010-X

CRJ 5200 - Criminal Justice Research and Statistics      Dr. Allison Payne
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the art of social science research as used in criminology and criminal justice. We will explore the nature of scientific inquiry, general issues in research methods (including sampling, causality, experimental design, data collection, and evaluation research), and general statistical concepts used in quantitative methods (including mean, standard deviation, Chi-Square, correlation, and regression.) We will read several published articles and critically assess their design, results, and conclusions. We will also work with MicroCase to learn how to perform basic data analysis and interpretation. You will also complete several homework assignments that will reinforce concepts learned in class and that require you to “practice” your newly learned craft. These assignments will culminate in a “mini” research article, the results of which will be presented in class. By the end of the course, you will be able to understand the various research methods used to study crime, understand when and how to use specific statistics and what a given result implies, recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the research designs employed in criminal justice research, critically review criminological research, and recognize the importance of quality research.  Restricted to Criminal Justice majors. Fulfills Writing Intensive requirement.