Patricia E. Erickson, Director, Peter J. Galie, Patricia B. Christian, Harvey A. Pines.
The Criminal Justice program is an interdisciplinary program designed to help students understand the complexity of dealing with crime and criminal behavior and to introduce them to the problems and stresses encountered by professionals in the field. Developed with the counsel of veteran law enforcement officials, but grounded in a liberal arts curriculum, the program emphasizes not only how the criminal justice system has developed in its present form, but also how changes in the system affect other parts of society. Courses in the curriculum are drawn from the departments of Sociology/Anthropology, Political Science, History, and Psychology.
Students are offered the opportunity for research experience in independent study, and juniors and seniors are able to participate in field work and/or internships. As an urban center situated on the Niagara Frontier, Buffalo offers numerous and diverse opportunities for these kinds of activities. Additionally, many alumni of the college are employed in law enforcement, providing access to internships and employment opportunities.
The Criminal Justice major is constructed to help prepare students for a broad spectrum of occupations. Law enforcement positions can be chosen at the local, county, state, and national levels. A variety of occupations continue to exist in the field of corrections — within the prison and judicial systems, in parole and probation, and in allied mental health and substance-abuse facilities. Finally, students who wish to pursue careers as lawyers can take advantage of the college’s Pre-Law program, which has an acceptance rate of 85% of seniors applying to law school.
Admission
Students are admitted to the program after attaining a grade of "C" or better in CRJ 101, CRJ 103 and CRJ 110 or CRJ 111.
Criminal Justice Curriculum:
| 1. ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101 (4 courses) |
|
(12) |
| 2. Area Studies: Two courses from each of these areas:I, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII1 |
(14 courses) |
(42) |
| 3. Major course requirements: |
(13 courses) |
|
| CRJ 101 |
American Government and Politics |
(3) |
| CRJ 103 |
Constitutional Foundations of American Government |
(3) |
| CRJ 110 |
Introduction to Sociology |
|
| OR |
|
(3) |
| CRJ 111 |
Contemporary Social Problems |
|
| CRJ 227 |
Criminal Justice I |
(3) |
| CRJ 228 |
Criminal Justice II |
(3) |
| CRJ 342 |
Research Methods |
(3) |
| CRJ 337 |
Violence and the Family |
(3) |
| CRJ 449 |
Criminal Law |
(3) |
| CRJ 450 |
Criminal Procedure |
(3) |
| CRJ 482 |
Criminal Justice Ethics |
(3) |
| Criminal Justice electives: three courses chosen from among the following: CRJ 225, 254, 303, 307, 320, 321, 333, 334, 341, 343, 344, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 361, 362, 369, 370, 372, 381, 382, 399, 498, 499. No more than six credits total may be earned from CRJ 399, CRJ 498, and CRJ 499. |
(9) |
| 4. Electives |
(9 courses) |
(27) |
| Total |
(40 courses) |
(120) |
Recommended Schedule:
| Fall |
|
Spring |
|
| Freshman Year |
|
|
|
| ENG 101 |
3 |
ENG 102 |
3 |
| CRJ 110 or CRJ 111 |
3 |
RST 101 |
3 |
| CRJ 101 |
3 |
CRJ 103 |
3 |
| Modern Language |
3 |
Modern Language |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
Total |
15 |
| Sophomore Year |
|
|
|
| PHI 101 |
3 |
CRJ 228 |
3 |
| CRJ 227 |
3 |
CRJ 342 |
3 |
| Criminal Justice Elective |
3 |
Criminal Justice Elective |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
Total |
15 |
| Junior Year |
|
|
|
| CRJ 449 |
3 |
CRJ 450 |
3 |
| Criminal Justice Elective |
3 |
CRJ 337 |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
Total |
15 |
| Senior Year |
|
|
|
| CRJ 482 |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
Total |
15 |
| |
|
Total |
120 |
Criminal Justice Minor:
The Criminal Justice minor is designed for students who have chosen another academic major (e.g. Psychology, Political Science) but who may have an academic and/or career interest in the area of criminal justice. As with the major in Criminal Justice, the minor has an interdisciplinary focus. Students who select a minor in Criminal Justice will also be required to complete the same prerequisites as required for the major. In addition, three hours of course work in criminal justice must be at the 300 or 400 level.
| CRJ 101 |
American Government and Politics |
(3) |
| CRJ 103 |
Constitutional Foundations of American Government |
(3) |
| CRJ 110 |
Introductory to Sociology |
|
| OR |
|
(3) |
| CRJ 111 |
Contemporary Social Problems |
|
| CRJ elective |
(2 courses) |
(6) |
| CRJ elective |
(300 or 400 level): one course |
(3) |
| Total |
(6 courses) |
(18) |
Dual Majors
Criminal Justice has dual majors with Sociology, Psychology, and Political Science. These programs are for students seeking a combined program in two areas in which they are interested. Cross-listed courses are available to serve as electives in both departments. Students may also select a minor in Forensic Psychology. Students interested in one of these interdisciplinary programs should consult with an adviser, as follows:
Criminal Justice and Sociology: Dr. Christian or Dr. Erickson
Criminal Justice and Psychology: Dr. Pines
Criminal Justice and Political Science: Dr. Galie.
COURSES: 2001-2003
CRJ 101 (PSC 101) American Government and Politics I 3
Politics in the context of the American political system. Constitutional framework, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, campaigns, and elections. (AS II)
CRJ 103 (PSC 103) Constitutional Basis of American Government 3
Compares the constitutional provisions for federalism and the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government with the development of these aspects of American government.
CRJ 110 (SOC 110) Introduction to Sociology 3
Topics include theory, methods, culture, socialization, race and ethnicity, groups and organizations, and social inequality; analysis of everyday events, using sociological imagination. (AS II)
CRJ 111 (SOC 111) Contemporary Social Problems 3
Exploration of several selected social problems from competing points of view, emphasizing some of the sociological concepts employed in analyzing these problems. Formerly SOC 222. (AS II)
CRJ 227 (SOC 227) Criminal Justice I 3
Criminal justice system; justification for punishment, the police, constitutional rights, the prosecuting and defense attorney.
CRJ 228 (SOC 228) Criminal Justice II 3
Trial, guilty pleas, sentencing, correntions; the extent and causes of crime, and proposal for change and reform.
CRJ 254 (SOC 254) Crime and Society 3
Theoretical explanations for criminal behavior. Ideas developed for prevention, treatment, and punishment of criminal behavior. Both classical and contemporary approaches in criminological thought.
CRJ 303 (PSY 303) Abnormal Psychology 3
Overview of psychopathology: history, assessment, causes, DSM-IV, clinical symptoms, and treatment. Review of major DSM-IV disorders with an emphasis on adults. 2001-2002 only
CRJ 307 (PSY 307) Adolescent Psychology 3
Physiological, psychological, and emotional factors in achieving maturity. Extension of theoretical orientation to adolescent problems. Emphasis on real world problems and solutions.
CRJ 320 (PSC 320) American Constitutional Law I 3
Development of constitutional law in the U.S. from the founding of the Republic to present. Case-study method in selected areas of constitutional jurisprudence.
CRJ 321 (PSC 321) American Constitutional Law II: Civil Liberties 3
Role of modern and contemporary Supreme Court in controversial areas of civil liberties and related questions. Current interpretations of Bill of Rights and Fourteenth Amendment.
CRJ 333 (ANT 333) Anthropology and Crime Science 3
Anthropological methods and information used to survey the origin and history of crime science. Emphasis on the use of well-known case studies in order to understand and appreciate the
value of forensic investigation.
CRJ 334 (PSY 334) Community Psychology 3
Effects of social and non-social environments on emotions, thoughts and behaviors. Psychological reactions and adjustments to the nature of community life. Deals with social problems such as AIDS, alcoholism, and child and elder abuse .2002-2003 only
CRJ 337 (SOC 337) Violence and the Family 3
How family dynamics can contain elements that give rise to violence, including "battered women" and abused children. Formerly SOC 437.
CRJ 342 (SOC 342, PSC 217, URS 350) Research Methods 3
Techniques of sociological investigation, and relationships of theory and research. Survey of methods used in the social sciences.
Prerequisite: Admission to the major program.
CRJ 343 (SOC 343) Law and Society 3
The social forces influencing law, focusing on relationship between law, custom, and morality. Emphasis on problem areas where law is ineffective. Formerly SOC 443.
CRJ 344 (SOC 344) Violent Crime in American Society 3
The nature of violence as a social act and problems in obtaining data on violence. Family violence, effects of the media, and collective violence. Formerly SOC 444. 2002-2003 only
CRJ 351 (SOC 351) Police and the Community 3
How changes in community standards affect the business of policing. Topics include use of force and private policing. 2002-2003 only
CRJ 352 (PSC 341) Comparative Criminal Justice Institutions 3
Examination of police organizations, border guards, and prison systems in variety of countries. Comparative analysis of contending approaches to common problems. Focus on Western industrialized countries and new democracies.
CRJ 353 (SOC 353) Gangs in American Society 3
Current sociological theories about gangs in American society. Social and economic origins of gang behavior. A number of case studies conducted on gangs explored.
CRJ 354 (SOC 354) Juvenile Delinquency 3
Analyzed as distinct phenomenon related to, yet separate from, the crime problem. Legal processes in delinquency field. Suggested programs for rehabilitation and prevention of delinquency. Formerly SOC 454.
CRJ 355 (SOC 355) Deviant Behavior 3
Problems of deviance from a societal and organizational perspective. Current examples of social pressures on "marginal persons" within given social systems. Formerly SOC 455. 2002-2003 only
CRJ 356 (SOC 356) Treatment of Offenders I 3
Correction theory, offender typologies, and nature and diagnosis of offenders. 2001-2002 only
CRJ 357 (SOC 357) Treatment of Offenders II 3
Current and future trends in dealing with criminal offenders. Topics include use of intermediate sanctions, such as community service, as an alternate to incarceration. 2001-2002 only
CRJ 358 (SOC 358) White Collar Crime 3
Crimes committed by "respectable people" in positions of responsibility in private or public sector. Nature of these crimes, how regulatory bodies and legal systems treat these criminals, and how they seek to avoid detection and prosecution.
CRJ 359 (SOC 359) Women and Crime 3
Classical and contemporary accounts of the etiology of female crime, patterns of female criminal behavior, and the role and treatment of women in the criminal justice system.
CRJ 361 (HIS 361) Origins of American Constitutionalism 3
Sources of American political ideology and constitutional theory in the American experience from the 17th century beginnings until the Civil War. Recommended for pre-law students.
CRJ 362 (HIS 362) The Constitution in an Age of Crisis 3
American Constitutional theory and practice from Civil War to present. Emphasis on Supreme Court development, economic relationships, civil liberties, civil rights, and criminal justice.
CRJ 369 (PSY 369) Forensic Psychology 3
Psychology’s role in legal system; criminal behavior; trial process (competency evaluation, psychologists as expert witnesses, jury selection, jury deliberation, insanity defense); law enforcement and corrections; family law (divorce, domestic violence, child custody).
CRJ 370 (PSC 370) Crime and Punishment in American History 3
Infamous crimes from the Puritan witch-hunts to today’s murder trials. Changing trends in punishments from chain gangs and public hangings to juvenile courts. Creation of prisons, asylums, and police forces.
CRJ 372 (SOC 372) Sociology of Mental Disorder 3
Defining mental disorder, causes of mental disorder, mental disorder as deviant behavior, mental disorder an d the law, social epidemiology. 2002-2003 only
CRJ 382 (PSY 382) Drugs and Behavior 3
Actions of drugs on brain, mind, behavior. Past and current patterns of abuse. Current techniques for helping abusers. Legal and medical aspects of recreational drug use.
CRJ 399 (SOC 399) Field Work 3
Practical experience in a variety of social situations and agencies. Daily research logs used to provide basis for small-group discussions.
Prerequisite: G.P.A. of at least 2.75; junior or senior status; signature of program director.
CRJ 449 (SOC 449) Criminal Law 3
The substantive criminal law, including offences against persons, property, and public morality with emphasis on New York State Penal Law. Criminal responsibility and defenses.
CRJ 450 (SOC 450) Criminal Procedure 3
Key Supreme Court decisions on search and seizure, arrest, interrogation, and identification of criminal suspects. Sentencing and punishment, appeal, and post-conviction relief. Emphasis on New York law.
CRJ 482 (SOC 482) Criminal Justice Ethics 3
The personal , social and criminal justice contexts for understanding justice, crime, and ethics. Skills necessary to deal effectively with ethical issues in criminal justice systems Problems and case studies for active exploration of social issues.
CRJ 498 (SOC 498) Criminal Justice Internship 3
Opportunity for selected students to participate in daily work in a law enforcement agency. Students must apply the semester before they take the internship.
Prerequisite: Background check; G.P.A. of at least 2.75; junior or senior status; signature of program director.
CRJ 499 (SOC 499) Individual Reading and Research 3
For the student with capacity for independent research; individual projects under the direction of a member of the program faculty. One or two semesters.
Prerequisite: junior or senior status; signature of program director.
1 Area II is automatically fulfilled because this program is in the Social Sciences.