This course provides an introduction to the broad range of forensic services offered by crime labs. The student will gain an understanding of the scientific basis of forensic services through a general study of biology, chemistry, physics, and statistics. Topics include processing a crime scene, trace and contact evidence, identification of body fluids, DNA analysis, toxicology and drugs of abuse, questioned documents, and firearms. The student will perform selected forensic techniques in the laboratory. Satisfies the Science requirement of the Liberal Arts Curriculum. Fall and spring semesters. 3 credits. Fee.

Provides an overview of the criminal justice system in the United States, including the historical and contemporary operation of police, courts, and corrections. Examines differences between the adult and juvenile justice systems. Reviews ethical guidelines for criminal justice professions. A 20-hour service learning requirement introduces students to the components, best practices, and career opportunities in the criminal justice field. Fall semester. 3 credits.

Surveys the history, function, and current operation of law enforcement in American society. Studies the role of the police in a democratic society and issues related to the proper boundaries of police authority and discretion. Examines the ethics, opportunities, and dangers of policing as a profession. Prerequisite: SCJ110. Corequisite: SCJ225. Fall semester. 3 credits.

Provides an overview of the principles and operation of the juvenile justice system, with a particular focus on the Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) model. Surveys theories and research on the nature, extent, and causes of delinquency and strategies for preventing and treating delinquent behavior. Fall semester. 3 credits.

Examines the organization and structure of criminal courts in the United States and their functioning in relation to other components of the criminal justice system. Stages in the criminal court process and the roles played by the judge, the defense counsel, police, probation officers, and other personnel in that process will be discussed. Prerequisite: SCJ110. Corequisite: SCJ200. Fall semester. 3 credits.

Explores various topics in criminal justice. Prerequisite: SCJ110. Repeatable for credit. Fall and spring semesters. 3 credits. Fee when field trip is part of the course.

Examines the legally sanctioned methods of dealing with lawbreakers including institutional corrections, community corrections, and dispositions including community service, restitution programs, victim awareness programs, and electronic monitoring. A 20-hour service learning component introduces students to correctional facilities, practices, and personnel at both the adult and juvenile levels. Prerequisite: SCJ225. Spring semester. 3 credits.

Examines the biological, psychological, and socio-cultural correlates of gender and gender-based crime, both adult and juvenile, in American society. Students utilize current research studies to examine criminology theories and their applicability to women and juvenile females. Prerequisites: SCJ220 and SCJ225. Corequisites: SCJ300 and SCJ430. Spring semester. 3 credits.

Provides students with a minimum of 120 hours of supervised, directed field learning in criminal justice, providing opportunities for students to relate the theories and principles of criminology and delinquency to the structure and operations of the criminal justice field. A concurrent weekly on-campus one hour seminar is also required, designed to help students evaluate both research findings and best practices in the field. The seminar does not count toward the minimum 120 hours. Prerequisite: SCJ300. Corequisite: SCJ340. Fall and spring semesters. Permission required. 3 credits. Fee.

Integrates theory, research, and practice in the criminal justice field with the liberal arts knowledge base. Topics include best practices in criminal justice, presentation of the showcase portfolio, and preparation for a career in criminal justice or graduate school in criminology or in a related field. Prerequisites: All SCJ major courses. Spring semester. 1 credit.

The study of human physical, cognitive, and socioemotional development from conception through adolescence. Includes observation and analysis of children’s behavior at the campus Child Development Center. Tubercular check, Act 33 Child Abuse, Act 34 Criminal Record check, Act 114 FBI Federal Criminal History Record, and PDE-6004 (Arrest or Conviction Report and Certification Form) required. Fall and spring semesters, and ADP session 4 in even-numbered years. 3 credits.

Integrates knowledge obtained from the Liberal Arts Curriculum to understand the biological, psychological, social, and cultural determinants of human behavior for infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. Theories of human development and human behavior are critically examined to determine their applicability to diverse populations. An ecological life model perspective is integrated with systems theory in order to help students recognize the relationship among micro (individual), mezzo (family and group), and macro (organizations, communities, and society) level problems. Tubercular check, Act 33 Child Abuse, Act 34 Criminal Record check, Act 114 FBI Federal Criminal History Record, and PDE-6004 (Arrest or Conviction Report and Certification Form) required before the course begins. Pre- or co-requisite: SSW150. Fall semester. 3 credits.

Conceptualizes crime and delinquency from a developmental psychopathology perspective. Review of research on common risk and protective factors. Emphasizes thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes displayed by criminals and analyzes the development of criminal behavior with sensitivity to multiple ecological systems that impact people. Empirically supported strategies for intervening with criminals are covered. Prerequisites: SCJ110 and SSW271. Fall semester. 3 credits.

Examines the social and cultural forces that shape the lives of individuals and groups; the socialization of the human person throughout the stages of life; the multiple functions of social groups, institutions, and culture; and introduction to sociological theories. Fall semester. 3 credits.

Reviews research on cultural definitions of race, class, and gender and their consequences for social life; institutional stratification and efforts to reduce inequalities; and attempts to revise the meaning of race, class, and gender in American culture. Spring semester. 3 credits.

Provides an overview of the principles and operation of the juvenile justice system, with a particular focus on the Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) model. Surveys theories and research on the nature, extent, and causes of delinquency and strategies for preventing and treating delinquent behavior. Fall semester. 3 credits.

Studies cultural constructions of deviance and the changing nature of deviance in American society; various forms of deviant behavior, including organized crime and governmental and corporate deviance; and societal responses to deviance. Prerequisite: SSO100. Spring semester, odd-numbered years. 3 credits.

Focuses on the study of crimes, criminals, causes of criminal behavior, and victimization issues. Students explore the classical, biological, psychological, sociological, economic, and political theories of crime. Prerequisite: SSO100. Fall semester, even-numbered years. 3 credits.

Designed to enable students to read as well as do research. Explores descriptive and inferential statistics. Treats small and large samplings with such parametric and non-parametric probability distributions as Z, t, F, and chi-squared. Uses statistical computer software. Satisfies the Mathematics requirement of the Liberal Arts Curriculum. Fall and spring semesters and ADP sessions 1, 3, and 4. Prerequisites: SMA100 or higher, sophomores or above. 3 credits.

Offers instruction in quantitative and qualitative research techniques. Includes the examination of ethical standards guiding research, issues of measurement and sampling, and methods of data collection and analysis. Substantial emphasis is placed on student- designed research projects. Writing Intensive course. Prerequisites: SPY110 or SSO100, and SSS250. 3 credits.

Introduces students to the social work skills of effective communication and engagement in working with individuals, families, and organizations in a variety of helping situations. Fall semester, and ADP session 4 in odd-numbered years. 3 credits.