CRIM 100 - Crime and Justice Systems

3 Credits: (3 lecture)

Course Description
This course is an introduction to the field of criminology. Historical data; theories of causation; social control of behavior; development of laws; economic, political, social, and cultural changes will be examined. The student will study the Criminal Justice System as it evolved and exists in the United States including the police, courts and correctional facilities, and the administration of each. In addition to learning the terminology used in this particular field, the student will have an opportunity to examine methodology and personal values and attitudes.

Text
Cole, George F., Smith, Christopher E., and Dejong, Christina. The American System of Criminal Justice. 16th ed. Independence, KY: Cengage, 2019.

Objectives
The student will be able to

A. Identify the basic components of the Criminal Justice System and the Courts and their functions, including the Juvenile Court.

B. Explain the interweaving relationships of the branches of government and their affect on the Criminal Justice System.

C. Identify antisocial behavior as it relates to Criminal Behavior.

D. Demonstrate a working knowledge of the philosophy and role of the police, the courts, and the correctional officer in the Criminal Justice System.

E. Show knowledge of the process by which an individual is processed through the Criminal Justice System from initial complaint through post-release and follow-up care.

F. Explain the various theories of etiology of Crime and Delinquency.

Content
A. Overview of the Criminal Justice System

B. Definition of Antisocial Behavior

C. Definition of Crime

D. Definition of Law

E. Civil Law vs Criminal Law

F. Concepts of Criminal Law

G. Development of Laws

H. The Model Penal Code

I. The Elements of a Crime

J. The Role of the Police

K. The Courts

L. Juvenile Court and Its Philosophy

M. The Role of the Probation Officer

N. Investigation and Accusation - Constitutional RightsO. Judicial Officers and Their Role

P. The Role of the Correctional Officer

Q. Related Fields: Sociology and Psychology

R. Behavioral Theories of Crime and Delinquency

S. Sociological Theories of Crime and Delinquency

T. Biological Theories of Crime and Delinquency

U. Measurement of Crime

 

Student Evaluation
Grades will be based on periodic examinations, a final examination, and written assignments.Bibliography
Barlow, Hugh D. Introduction to Criminology. New York: Harper Collins, 1990.

Byrne, James M. The Social Ecology of Crime. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1986.

Cook, Joseph G. Constitutional Rights of the Accused. 2nd ed. Rochester, New York: Lawyers Cooperative Publishing Company, 1985-86.

Crimes of Pennsylvania with Criminal Procedures, Rules, and the Control Substances Act. Binghamton, New York: Gould Publications, 1988.

Davis, Bertha. Instead of Prison. New York: F. Watts, 1986.

DeForest, Peter R. Forensic Science: An Introduction to Criminalistics. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1983.

Demaris, Ovid. How Greed, Corruption, and the Mafia turned Atlantic City Into–The Boardwalk Jungle. New York: Bantam Books, 1986.

DeSola, Ralph. The Crime Dictionary. Rev. ed. New York: Facts on File, 1988.

Downes, David M. Understanding Deviance: A Guide to the Sociology of Crime and Rule-Breaking. 2nd ed. New York: Clarendon Press, 1988.

Fattah, Ezzat A. From Crime Policy to Victim Policy: Reorienting the Justice System. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1986.

Fletcher, George P. A Crime of Self-Defense: Bernhard Goetz and the Law on Trial. New York: Free Press, 1988.

Gottfredson, Stephen D. America’s Correctional Crisis: Prison Populations and Public Policy. New York: Greenwood Press, 1987.

Hammett, Theodore M. AIDS and the Law Enforcement Officer: Concerns and Policy Responses. Washington, D. C.: The Institute, Office of Communication and Research Utilization, 1987.

Harr, Scott and Karen Hess. Criminal Procedure. St. Paul: West Publishing, 1990.

Hills, Stuart L. Corporate Violence: Injury and Death for Profit. Totowa, New Jersey: Rowman and Littlefield, 1987.

Jones, David Arthur. History of Criminology: A Philosophical Perspective. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press, 1986.

Kamisar, Yale. Basic Criminal Procedure: Cases, Comments, and Questions. 6th ed. St. Paul, Minnesota: West Publishing Company, 1986.

Kramer, Rita. At a Tender Age: Violent Youth and Juvenile Justice. 1st ed. New York: Holt, 1988.

Nakell, Barry. The Arbitrariness of the Death Penalty. Philadelphia: Temple

University Press, 1987.