Fall 2009 Semester

CRJ 1000 - Intro. to Criminal Justice     Dr. Stanley Jacobs
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, stress the ways in which effective criminal justice policy is contingent on the vitality of other social institutions (family, school, community, and economy).

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).

CRJ 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. Fulfills requirement for SOC 3000; P&J Program requirement.

CRJ 3100 - Juvenile Delinquency     Dr. William Waegel

Since 1994, Juvenile Delinquency has been taught as a multimedia enhanced course.  Interviews with judges, probation officers, street cops, incarcerated kids and other similar material are used to take students into the world of delinquency and juvenile justice.  Video segments illustrate core concepts of major delinquency theories.  Data about delinquent behavior is not simply described; rather we examine actual data in class and learn how to interpret it.  The course focuses on delinquent behavior and the contemporary juvenile control system from a sociological perspective.  Basic questions addressed are:  Why is there a distinctive structure to U.S. delinquency laws?  Why do juveniles engage in law-violating behavior?  How do police decide whether to handle a juvenile infraction informally or make an arrest?  How are decisions reached in juvenile court?  What kinds of delinquency prevention programs hold out the possibility of reducing future crime rates?  A field trip to the Glen Mills School, a residential treatment facility for adjudicated offenders, is scheduled during the second half of the course. 

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 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. 

CRJ 4000 - Special Topic: 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. We will begin with an overview of criminological theories, followed by in-depth coverage of school-based delinquency prevention, and end with analysis of prevention strategies in other settings such as families, communities, places, and labor markets. Service learning experiences in Philadelphia schools will be integrated into the class.  Option for Service Learning Students; P&J Program Requirement

CRJ 5200 - Criminal Justice Research Methods and Statistics     Dr. Allison Payne
This course will introduce you to social science research as used in criminology and criminal justice. We will explore the nature of scientific inquiry, issues in research methods, and statistical concepts used in quantitative analyses. We will read published articles and critically assess their design, results, and conclusions. We will work with SPSS to learn how to perform basic data analysis and interpretation. By the end of the course, you will understand 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 research designs, critically review criminological research, and recognize the importance of quality research. Restricted to Criminal Justice and Sociology majors. Fulfills Writing Enriched requirement.