First-Year
Curriculum
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1.
Theory and Philosophy of Corrections -
This
course explores the major justifications for corrections,
with a special focus on rehabilitation, deterrence, incapacitation,
and restorative justice. Each theory's central principles,
empirical adequacy, and policy implications are examined.
Special consideration is given to the social and political
contexts that have shaped correctional policy and practice
in the past and in recent times. The purpose of the course
is to enable students to develop a research-based theory of
corrections.
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2.
Pro-Seminar
in the Administration of Justice -
This course provides an overview of the theory and research on the
criminal justice system, including the police, courts, prosecution,
and corrections. Special attention is given to the structural, organizational,
and micro-level aspects of the criminal justice system and their interactions.
A major goal of the course is developing an understanding of how criminal
justice operates in the United States.
1. Juvenile
Justice System - A major task of the juvenile justice system
is responding to various social problems that involve children and
adolescents, including abuse, neglect, and violent behavior. Much
public debate surrounds the effectiveness of the juvenile justice
system in addressing these concerns and in curtailing the misbehavior
of youths. In this context, this course examines the empirical literature
on the juvenile justice system, especially as it relates to effective
interventions. Special attention is paid to the intersection of
what is known about the causes of serious delinquent behavior and
how the juvenile justice system responds to those causes.
2. Pro-Seminar in the Nature of Crime - This course presents
an overview of the nature of crime in American society. Special
focus is given to the major theoretical approaches to the explanation
of criminal behavior at both the micro-level (why individuals commit
crime) and the macro-level (why crime rates vary across communities).
1. Basic
Research Methods in Criminal Justice - This course provides
an introduction to research design as applied to crime and criminal
justice research. There is an analysis of the scientific method,
sampling, and basic research design.
2. Applied Criminal Justice Research - This course examines
issues concerning the conduct of research in criminal justice settings.
There is a primary concern with evaluation research. This course
also includes strategies for research planning, data analysis, and
the presentation of research findings.
1. Seminar
in White-Collar Crime - This course examines the definition,
measurement, extent, and costs of white-collar and organizational
crime. The characteristics of "upperworld" offenders are
described and contrasted to those of "street" criminals.
Criminological theories proposed to explain individual and organizational
forms of white-collar crime are reviewed and assessed. Special attention
is paid to the use of the criminal law in the control of organizationally
based white-collar crime.
2. Pro-Seminar in Law and Social Control - This course provides
an overview of the theory and research on the nature of law, legal
institutions, and related mechanisms of social control. Special
attention is paid to critical perspectives on social control, to
issues of race, class, and social justice, and to the intersection
of criminal justice with other systems of social control.
Second-Year Curriculum
1. Seminar
in Police Effectiveness - This course examines alternative criteria
by which the effectiveness of police strategies can be assessed
and critically reviews empirical studies of police effectiveness.
Principal emphasis is placed on contemporary police innovations,
such as community policing, problem-oriented policing, and "hot
spots" policing. A primary purpose of this course is to inform
students on policing strategies that "work" and "don't
work" in criminal justice.
2. Criminal Justice Policy Analysis - This course is an overview
of policy implementation and effectiveness in the criminal justice
system. Policies are evaluated on an informal and formal level in
the areas of policing, corrections, and criminal justice. Special
attention is given to how research can be used to evaluate and inform
the creation of crime-related policies.
1. Theory
and Philosophy of Law Enforcement - This course examines the
development and function of policing in contemporary American society.
The impact of social, economic, and political forces on the structure
and definition of contemporary police agencies are employed through
a review of classical and contemporary literature on policing. Contemporary
problems and issues in criminal justice are analyzed within the
context of recent research.
2. Applied Statistics in Criminal Justice - This course focuses
on the evaluation of criminal justice policies and practices. Topics
that will be covered include the development of evaluation plans,
process and impact evaluations, evaluation designs, and causal inference.
to evaluate the effectiveness of criminal justice interventions.
1. Seminar
in Correctional Rehabilitation - This course examines theories,
techniques, and policies of correctional treatment from applied,
planning, and evaluation perspectives. Special focus is given to
the classification of offenders, to how criminological theory informs
rehabilitation programming, and to the principles of effective correctional
intervention. A primary purpose of this course is to inform students,
using the existing research, on what "works" and "doesn't
work" in the treatment of offenders.
2. Criminal Justice Management - Criminal justice managers
make decisions according to the perceived costs and benefits of
the related outcomes. This course is a guide to the exciting and
emerging area of research on cost-benefit analysis as applied to
criminal justice settings. The course blends theory with case studies.
The purpose of the course is to arm students with the tools to produce
informed decisions as criminal justice managers.
1. Seminar
in Community Corrections - This course is designed to provide
an overview of the origins, nature, and effectiveness of various
criminal justice programs found under the term "community corrections."
Emphasis is given to recent developments in community corrections,
such as intermediate sanctions, drug courts, and effective treatment
interventions. The characteristics of effective programs and effective
correctional agencies are also discussed.
2. Demonstration Project Research I - Using theoretical and
methodological skills developed in the program, students undertake
an individual research project. This project will focus on a contemporary
policy issue in the area of corrections, policing, and criminal
justice. Students will be expected to assess the theoretical basis
for and empirical adequacy of this policy. The purpose is to enable
students to develop the independent abilities to evaluate the effectiveness
of criminal justice interventions.
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