Department Chair:  Robert Fong

Department Office:  Dorothy Donahoe Hall, D107

Telephone:  (661) 654-2433

email:  bespinosa@csub.edu

Website:  www.csub.edu/CriminalJustice/

Faculty:  C. Caifano, Anthony Flores, D. Hall,

A. Hoskin, R. Sparks, J. Yasukochi

Adjunct Faculty:  B. Barton, C. Estes, A. Kohler,

G. Laskowski, J. Martinez, R. Oberholzer, W. Rector,

M. Williamson, D. Winett

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Program Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice is designed to provide a student familiarity with the basic components of the American “system” of criminal justice. This American “system” of criminal justice is really many systems organized on both a state and federal level and includes law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and corrections functions.

Requirements for the Major in Criminal Justice

Prerequisites to the major:

1.   CRJU 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice

2.   CRJU 290 Success in Criminal Justice

3.   CRJU 200 Statistical Methods in Criminal Justice, or MATH 140, or PSYC 200

4.   PSYC 100 or SOC 100

Basic Core Courses:

1.   CRJU 300 Research Methods in Criminal Justice (Pre: CRJU 290)

2.   CRJU 310 Criminal Law

3.   CRJU 371 Theoretical Perspectives in Criminal Justice

4.   CRJU 490 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice systems and areas courses:

1.   Required courses:

      a.   CRJU 376 Police Processes and Systems

      b.   CRJU 378 Court Processes and Systems

      c.   CRJU 379 Corrections Processes and Systems

2.   Select two of the following:

      a.   CRJU 380 Juvenile Justice Processes and Systems

      b.   CRJU 410 Issues, Values and Ethics in Criminal Justice

      c.   CRJU 420 Criminal Justice Policymaking

      d.   CRJU 430 Victims and the Criminal Justice System

3.   Special topics in Criminal Justice (select one from

      each of the following three themes)

      a.   Race and Gender in Criminal Justice

            1.   CRJU 325 Women and the Criminal Justice System

            2.   CRJU 330 Race, Ethnicity, and the Criminal Justice System

      b.   Youth, Crime and Violence

            1.   CRJU 340 Drugs and Crime

            2.   CRJU 345 Gangs in America

      c.   Forensic and Field Explorations

            1.   CRJU 480 Directed Research in Criminal Justice

            2.   CRJU 494 Profiling Violence

            3.   CRJU 495 Forensic Science

            4.   CRJU 496 Internship in Criminal Justice

            5.   CRJU 497 Cooperative Education

Minor, Concentration, and Special Minor

In addition to meeting the requirements for the major, the student must satisfactorily complete one of the three university required options listed below:

1.   A special minor consisting of at least 20 quarter units, 15 of which must be upper division, approved by the student’s advisor, taken outside the major discipline.

2.   A minor consisting of at least 20 quarter units within a minor program designed and approved by another discipline.

3.   An interdisciplinary concentration or minor in one of the specially developed areas such as Black Studies, Chicano Studies, Asian Studies, Latin American Studies, and Women’s Studies.

Requirements for the Minor in Criminal Justice

Four courses, including CRJU 100, or an approved equivalent, and three upper division Criminal Justice courses, as approved by the Department of Criminal Justice.

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Course DESCRIPTIONS

Note:    Among the courses comprising the Criminal Justice major (see above), those not found elsewhere in the catalog are listed below.

Lower Division

CRJU 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice (5)

The study of the criminal justice system and how the system deals with the American crime problem.  The police, prosecution, trial courts, prisons and the juvenile justice system will be examined in relation to the control of crime.  (CAN AJ 2)  [F,W,S]

CRJU 200 Statistical Methods in Criminal Justice (5)

This course focuses on the use of statistics in operations, research and policymaking.  Descriptive statistics, probability, the normal curve, linear regression, analysis of variance and other inferential statistics will be introduced and then applied to the field of criminal justice.  This computer lab will be used for gaining a basic familiarity with computer-based problem-solving and data analysis. This course will provide an appropriate preparation for CRJU 300 Research Methods in Criminal Justice.

CRJU 289 Experiential Prior Learning (variable units)

Evaluation and assessment of learning which has occurred as a result of prior off-campus experience relevant to the curriculum of the department.  Requires complementary academic study and/or documentation.  Available by petition only, on a credit, no-credit basis.  Not open to postgraduate students, interested students should contact the department office.

CRJU 290 Success in Criminal Justice (2)

Introduction to the Criminal Justice major and related professions.  Exposure to prerequisite computer, internet, library, and report writing skills necessary for success in Criminal Justice.  Intended for majors.  Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only.  (Students must complete this course before being enrolled in CRJU 300) [F,W,S]

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Upper Division

CRJU 300 Research Methods in Criminal Justice (5)

Assumptions of scientific research and issues in philosophy of science.  Examination of the relationship between theory and research within the field of criminal justice, with an emphasis on basic principles of research design, development of research instruments, and data collection, plus statistical analysis of data and familiarization with computer capability in criminal justice research.  Prerequisite:  CRJU 200 or its equivalent, or permission of instructor.  [F,W, S]

CRJU 310 Criminal Law (5)

An analysis of the doctrines of criminal liability in the United States and the classification of crimes as against persons and property and the public welfare, with special emphasis on the definition of crime and the nature of acceptable evidence in the State of California.  Case studies include prosecution and defense decision making in the criminal law process.  Prerequisite:  CRJU 100 or its equivalent, or permission of the instructor.  [F,S]

CRJU 325 Women and the Criminal Justice System (5)

This course considers the experience of women in their dealings with the criminal justice system from three perspectives: that of the female offender, the female crime victim, and the female employee or administrator.  The course will approach these perspectives from both historical and contemporary contexts.  The course examines specific types of criminality and victimization common to women as well as opportunities for women to participate in the administration of the criminal justice system as employees.  The relationships between female criminality, victimization, and employment and broader social, political, and economic definitions of female deviance and conformity are addressed as well.  [F,W,S]

CRJU 330 Race, Ethnicity, and the Criminal Justice System (5)

This course examines the criminal justice system’s treatment of members of racial and ethnic groups in contemporary and historical contexts.  Problems of racism, discrimination, and differential treatment experienced by members of racial and ethnic groups as accused persons, convicted offenders, and victims of crime are addressed.  The course considers social, institutional, political, and economic factors that have influenced racial discrimination and bias in the criminal justice system.  The course also considers measures that have been or need to be taken within the system to address the problems of past and ongoing racism.  [F,W,S]

CRJU 340 Drugs and Crime (5)

A study of the relationship between addiction to chemical substances and crime.  Topics of discussion include: history, origin, extent, and causes of substance abuse; impact of chemical substances on human behavior; substance abuse and criminal activity; societal and governmental reactions to substance abuse; and current prevention and treatment strategies of substance abuse.  [F,W,S]

CRJU 345 Gangs in America (5)

An extensive review of case studies and empirical investigations aimed at providing students with an understanding of the nature and extent of gang membership and gang activity in America.  Provides students with a greater understanding and appreciation for the complexity of the social forces that contribute to the creation of unique subcultures across gender, race, and ethnic divisions - specifically youth gangs in America.  Primary consideration is given to the influence of cultural and societal assumptions held by the general public, academics, politicians, and the criminal justice system on issues of gender, race, ethnicity, and their subsequent impact on the study of gangs in America.  Topics to be covered include: definition and measurement issues, theories and risk factors for gang involvement, issues of gender, race and ethnicity, gang research and public policy, and federal, state, and local prevention and intervention strategies.  [F,W,S]

CRJU 371 Theoretical Perspectives in Criminal Justice (5)

A systematic examination of the major criminal justice systems.  Analysis of the particular theoretical frameworks which guide the police, courts, and corrections in American society.  Attention is directed to the relationship between day-to-day functions of the police, courts, and corrections on the one hand and theoretical schemes on the other.  Prerequisite:  CRJU 100 or its equivalent, or permission of the instructor.  [W,S]

CRJU 376 Police Processes and Systems (5)

Philosophy, theory, and processes of American police agencies at the federal, state, and local level.  Analysis of assumptions, policies, and practices.  Discussion of strategies for implementing change in police organizations.  Prerequisite:  CRJU 100 or its equivalent, or permission of the instructor.  [F,S]

CRJU 378 Court Processes and Systems (5)

Philosophy, theory, and processes of American criminal adjudication at federal and state levels.  Analysis of prosecution and defense strategies, with special regard to both micro and macro political factors.  Discussion of proposals for reform in criminal adjudication.  Prerequisite:  CRJU 100 or its equivalent, or permission of the instructor.  [F,S]

CRJU 379 Corrections Processes and Systems (5)

Philosophy, theory, and the processes of American correctional institutions at federal, state, and local level.  Analysis of assumptions, policies, and practices. Discussion of strategies for implementing change in correctional institutions.  Prerequisite:  CRJU 100 or its equivalent, or permission of the instructor.  [W,S]

CRJU 380 Juvenile Justice Processes and Systems (5)

Philosophy, theory, and processes of juvenile justice in the criminal justice system and the specialized area of dealing with youth as contrasted with adults, from apprehension through courts and detention, including probation and parole.  Analysis of assumptions, policies and practices.  Discussion of strategies for implementing change in the juvenile justice system.  Prerequisite:  CRJU 100 or its equivalent, or permission of the instructor.  [F,W, S]

CRJU 410 Issues, Values, and Ethics in Criminal Justice (5)

Examination and discussion of various issues, values, and ethical dilemmas that are of major concern to criminal justice professionals.  Topics to be covered include: ethics vs. morals; laws and justice; police corruption; role of judges; prosecutorial discretion-plea bargaining, role of defense attorneys, role of correctional personnel; and the morality of capital punishment.  Prerequisite:  CRJU 100 or its equivalent, or permission of instructor.  [F]

CRJU 420 Criminal Justice Policymaking (5)

This course examines how governmental bodies-the legislature, administrative agencies, and courts-make criminal justice policy and how affected agencies and officials implement and assess these policies.  Students will apply their learning of policymaking bodies and processes, implementation, and assessment to problems such as prison crowding and the handling of serious chronic juvenile offenders.  Prerequisite:  CRJU 100 or its equivalent, or permission of instructor.  [W]

CRJU 430 Victims and the Criminal Justice System (5)

An examination of the relationship between victims of crime and the criminal justice system.  Primary consideration is given to cultural and societal assumptions about gender, race, class, ethnicity, and sexual orientation prevalent throughout the study of victimology.  Special emphasis will be placed upon such topics as the characteristics of crime victims, patterns of crime reporting and non-reporting, the treatment of crime victims by the various components of the criminal justice system, victim assistance programs, victim compensation, and victims’ rights laws.  Prerequisite:  CRJU 100 or its equivalent, or permission of instructor.  [F,W,S]

CRJU 477 Selected Topics in Criminal Justice (1-5)

Offered periodically as announced. May be repeated for different course content.

CRJU 480 Directed Research in Criminal Justice

(1-5)

This course will be available to students who demonstrate excellence in their academic studies and are interested in pursuing original research and scholarship beyond the opportunities provided by CRJU 300 Research Methods.  Under faculty supervision, each student enrolled in the course would undertake an original individual research project.  Consent of the instructor who will be supervising the research and approval of the chair of the Department of Criminal Justice are required.  [F,W,S]

CRJU 489 Experiential Prior Learning (variable units)

Evaluation and assessment of learning which has occurred as a result of prior off-campus experience relevant to the curriculum of the department.  Requires complementary academic study and/or documentation.  Available by petition only, on a credit, no-credit basis.  Not open to postgraduate students.  Interested students should contact the department office.

CRJU 490 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (6)

Consideration of the nature of criminal justice and its relationship to other fields of study, with integration of material from other courses.  Prerequisite:  completion of, or concurrent enrollment in, other courses required to complete the major and the minor, or permission of instructor.  [W,S,SS]

CRJU 494 Profiling Violence (5)

This course will present the techniques necessary to develop a complete socio-psychological profile regarding various types of violent behavior.  The rationale for psychological profiling, the analysis of violent crime scenes, and the role of criminological theories in the formulation of psychological profiles will be examined.  Using intriguing case studies and telling illustrations, the complexity of the violent personality will be presented while maintaining a scientific focus and approach.  The course will profile several violent crimes including:  mass murders, serial murders, satanic rituals and cults, arson, rape pedophilia, domestic assault, and others.  [F,W,S]

CRJU 495 Forensic Science (5)

This course will cover such topics as DNA testing, criminal profiling, crime scene reconstruction, and courtroom testifying skills.  [S]

CRJU 496 Internship in Criminal Justice (1-5)

Supervised field experience in community organizations and institutions.  Career-oriented experience in the community setting is combined with academic activities in the college setting.  Hours in the field, placement and academic requirements such as conferences, readings, and reports are arranged in consultation with work supervisor and faculty supervisor.  Prerequisites vary depending on specific internship, but enrollment is limited to students with good academic records who are committed to development of professional skills in a given area.  [F,W,S]

CRJU 497 Cooperative Education (5)

The cooperative Education program offers a sponsored learning experience in a work setting, integrated with a field analysis seminar.  The field experience is contracted by the Cooperative Education office on an individual basis, subject to approval by the department.  The field experience, including the seminar and reading assignments, is supervised by the cooperative education coordinator and the faculty liaison (or course instructor, working with the field supervisor).  Students are expected to enroll in the course for at least two quarters.  The determination of course credits, evaluation, and grading are the responsibility of the departmental faculty.  Offered on a credit, no-credit basis only.  Department will determine application of credit.

CRJU 499 Individual Study (1-5)

Individual projects or directed reading for students qualified to carry on independent work.  Prerequisite:  Permission of department chair.