Criminal Justice

This course is a study of the criminal justice system’s philosophical and historical background; with special emphasis on the heritage of the British and American Criminal Justice systems, the government role of law enforcement and correction, and the role of various agencies of our criminal justice system.

This course is a study of crime as a social phenomenon and how programs of social control affect and are affected by crime. It analyzes the conditions under which criminal laws develop and the causes of crime. It consists of the study of crime and control of crime including processes in criminal behavior, punitive policies and social structure.

This course explores the problems of juvenile delinquency and the juvenile justice system in American society. Concepts of delinquency causation and control are discussed in both historical and modern perspectives. The interrelationship of delinquency and family, school, religion and society in general are explored. The roles of the juvenile court personnel, including the prosecutor, defense counsel, the judge and the juvenile probation officer are evaluated as are the concepts of community-based and institutional corrections. Special delinquency problems such as gangs, substance abuse and juveniles in adult courts are explored.

This course undertakes an examination of crime and the elements of offenses. Various mental states, capacities to commit crime, and defenses to criminal liability are intensely studied. The course includes a detailed study of some major crimes as defined in the New York State Penal Law.

This course is an overview of criminal procedure law including: constitutional provisions, rules of evidence, trial and pretrial processes, arrest, search and seizure, admissibility of admissions and confessions.

This course is designed to offer the Criminal Justice student an understanding of the organizational aspects of a police department, how the structure of a department affects the outcome, as well as how proper organizational design will attain a desired community service. The early history of organized policing, including department make-up and objectives will be discussed and followed through the evolution of today’s modern multifaceted police department structure.

This course examines the moral, social and ethical implications of family violence. The focus is on understanding the dynamics and causes of family violence from social, legal, and medical perspectives. Medical and legal responses to family violence will be explored as well as efforts of community organizations and social agencies in preventing family violence and in protecting its victims. This course can be used for criminal justice, social science or elective credit.

This course is a study program for the treatment of criminal offenders: the courts, probation and parole problems, and a survey of the theories and practices in today’s penal system.

This course teaches the line activities of law enforcement agencies with emphasis on the patrol officer and the patrol function. Various calls for service, other activities of the patrol officer and the proper recommended procedures for dealing with these situations in light of legal and constitutional restrictions are discussed.

This course teaches an understanding of the role security plays in modern society. The historical, legal, philosophical, and operational aspects of security will be examined. The various forms of settings for security operations are discussed with the administrative, personnel and physical needs of each.

This course covers theoretical and practical aspects of criminal justice ethics including examination of the ethical duties of law enforcement officers, other criminal justice officials, and administrators. This is an applied ethics course that utilizes a practical approach to analyzing ethical dilemmas that criminal justice practitioners face in the real world.

This practicum is a unique plan of educational enrichment. It is designed to enhance self-realization and direction by means of integrating classroom study with planned and supervised experience. It offers the student educational and vocational learning situations in criminal justice agencies. Field experience: approximately 180 hrs. per semester.