Course Descriptions

CRJ 101 - Introduction to Criminal Justice

3 Credits

Examines all three segments of criminal justice system: law enforcement, courts, and corrections, including study of their evolution, structure, agencies, career opportunities and requirements, responsibilities, and ethics. Role of Constitution and state and federal laws, current problems of each.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 101 or ENG 101/TRS 099 placement

CRJ 102 - Introduction to Private Security/Loss Prevention

3 Credits

This course will cover the development, role, responsibility, limitations and liabilities of the private security industry within society from its beginnings to its current state. Specific attention will be spent on describing the relationship between private security professionals, law enforcement and representatives of the legal system. Additional topics such as work place violence, organized retail theft, the conduct of internal and external investigations, interviewing techniques, current role and impact technology, and career opportunities will also be analyzed and evaluated.

CRJ 103 - Constitutional Law and Rights of People

3 Credits

A study of the Federal Constitution and Bill of Rights with regard to rights of individuals participating within American society, as interpreted by leading historical and contemporary U.S. Supreme Court and N.Y. Court of Appeals decisions. Emphasis will be on the history of the U.S. Constitution including review of the diverse and varied individuals and communities that impacted and were/are impacted by the Constitution and Bill of Rights, including the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th and 14th Amendments. Students will analyze majority opinions to identify and evaluate ideas and conclusions as well as dissenting opinions to identify and evaluate opposing arguments. Constitutional concepts will be applied to interactions between individuals and law enforcement/governmental authorities. Using the case law method students will develop conclusions as to the legitimacy of current and historical constitutional standards governing those interactions, acknowledging the constant presence of perspective and bias.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 101 OR ENG 101/TRS 099 placement

New SUNY General Education: SUNY - Critical Thinking and Reasoning Competency, SUNY - U.S. History and Civic Engagement

Retiring SUNY General Education: SUNY-AH - American History (SAMH)

MCC General Education: MCC-SSD - Social Science and Diversity (MSSD), MCC-BCW - Writing (MBCW), MCC-CT - Critical Thinking (MCT)

CRJ 104 - Criminal Law

3 Credits

A study of the fundamental concepts of the substantive criminal law, including a short history of and purposes of the law, classification of offenses and sentences. A detailed study of mental culpability, defenses, such as infancy, insanity and the anticipatory crimes, offenses against the person; and those involving intrusion upon property, fraud, public administration, and public order. (Need not be taken in sequence.)

Prerequisites: CRJ 101, CRJ 103 or permission of instructor

CRJ 121 - Criminal Justice Education Internship I

3 Credits

An activity designed to enhance both the theoretical and educational concepts learned in the practical work experience gained by working 80 hours during a semester in an approved criminal justice agency. This course is also designed to assist you in your career exploration. You are required to find the right agency in which to do your internship. To get the most out of this course you should be working in an agency and in a position that best represents your career goal. Papers and assignments will be completed on the work experiences and their educational value.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of CRJ 101,CRJ 103, CRJ 104 and CRJ 204, or permission of instructor.

CRJ 170 - Introduction to Corrections

3 Credits

This course focuses on the major programs within the corrections component of the criminal justice system. It includes analysis of probation, institutional treatment, parole, and community corrections programs. Development of corrections philosophy, theory, and practice will be presented with emphasis on constitutional rights of offenders.

CRJ 171 - Legal Aspects of Corrections

3 Credits

A review of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, civil rights of institutional inmates and those under supervision; legal authority and responsibilities of institutional, probation and parole officers; procedural law with an explanation of the court systems of the U.S. at all levels, emphasizing adversary proceedings in the criminal and civil courts as they apply to corrections.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of CRJ 101 and CRJ 103.

CRJ 172 - Institutional Procedures and Treatment of Inmates

3 Credits

The function of the correctional officer is examined: attitude, obligations and authority. Institutional procedures in reception, classification, program assignment and release procedures are reviewed. Trends in jail programs, work release programs, half-way houses, narcotic addiction control centers and contract program planning are described and evaluated.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of CRJ 101 and CRJ 103.

CRJ 201 - Criminal Investigations

3 Credits

A study of the qualities of an investigation, general criminal investigative methods, procedures and techniques, and phases of investigation.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of CRJ 101 and CRJ 103.

CRJ 203 - Private Security/ Loss Prevention Investigations

3 Credits

This course will cover the process of initiating, conducting and completing an investigation within the private security field. Particular attention will focus on the role of technology within private security investigations, analyzing different types of investigations, defining the multiple components of an investigation, describing skills an investigator must possess, explaining the interviewing process of witnesses and suspects, and the obtaining of written statements. Finally, additional topics such as legal liabilities, investigator and business responsibilities, the role of law enforcement, and the future of private investigative services will be discussed.

Prerequisite: CRJ 102

CRJ 204 - Juvenile Justice

3 Credits

Juvenile delinquency and the role of the criminal justice practitioner in handling juvenile matters is examined. The philosophy and history of juvenile proceedings, including trends in prevention, placements, current court decisions and "rights of children" are emphasized. The Family Court Law of New York and handling of juvenile matters are explored.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of CRJ 101 and CRJ 103.

CRJ 207 - Criminal Evidence

3 Credits

A study of rules of evidence in criminal matters. Particular emphasis is placed on rules of evidence in the fourth, fifth, and sixth amendments of the Bill of Rights which safeguard such fundamental individual liberties as personal security, protection from self-incrimination, and right to counsel, with emphasis on New York law.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of CRJ 101 and CRJ 103.

CRJ 209 - Crime Scene Management

3 Credits

Examines the application of the physical and biological sciences to criminal investigation. Modern technology will be detailed as it applies to crime scene management, fingerprint science and photography. Emphasis is placed on the inter-relationship between science and law enforcement. The student will have the opportunity, in a classroom equipped with laboratory materials, to demonstrate their learning with hands-on activities directly related to the contemporary crime scene.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of CRJ 101 and CRJ 103, or permission of instructor.

CRJ 211 - Community Values and the Administration of Justice

3 Credits

The inter-relationship of community values and ethical conduct in the administration of justice is explored. Through interaction and study, the student will become aware of how community and professional expectations can affect role performance. Open communication and accountability within and without the justice process will be stressed. (It is strongly suggested that students register for this course during their final semester before graduation.)

Prerequisite(s): CRJ 101, CRJ 103, CRJ 104, and CRJ 204, or permission of instructor. Co-requisite: CRJ 121 or previously completed

CRJ 217 - Community Based Corrections

3 Credits

A seminar which explores alternatives to incarceration in centralized penal institutions. Problems of work-release and school-release programs are discussed. Management of halfway houses, probation, and parole are reviewed. The success and failure of community-based corrections programs in the United States and in Europe are also explored.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of CRJ 101 and CRJ 103.

CRJ 290 - Independent Study

Variable Credit

See the Department Chairperson.