A study of the criminal justice system and the agencies responsible for detecting, prosecuting, and adjudicating offenders, including defining crime and examining the history of criminal law with a focus on the role of the U.S. Constitution. A study of the juvenile justice system in the United States including classical and contemporary theories of causation, institutionalization, diversion and prevention strategies. A study of the history, theory and practice of various punitive and rehabilitative strategies using in the American criminal justice system including probation, parole, community-based corrections and other alternatives to incarceration. Attendance at departmental colloquia required. A study of the relationship between class and crime.
Emphasis is placed on understanding theories as well as empirical research conducted on the topic.
Individual, independent study with a faculty mentor. Supervised field experience in a criminological setting accompanied by relevant library research and reflective writing. Repeatable up to 8 hours. Independent student scholarship usually comprising a comprehensive literature review, design and completion of psychological research, and a written and oral presentation of findings.