Course Descriptions
Within the University's liberal arts framework, criminal justice students develop both the knowledge and the values and ethical consciousness required of individuals who wish to serve society through work in the legal and social service professions.
Offering broad foundation courses in sociology, political science, psychology, management, public administration, criminology, and law, the criminal justice curriculum integrates carefully developed multidisciplinary theory with the teaching of contemporary criminal justice practice. By combining coursework, internships and special research projects, criminal justice graduates are fully prepared to enter a wide range of public law enforcement agency work or to pursue advanced study in law and judicial administration.
Students who take the department's legal studies minor pursue an interdisciplinary study of the law and the legal process, drawing on courses in the social sciences, humanities, and business. The minor addresses the many social, political, philosophical, and economic questions that arise in the enforcement of the nation's laws.
With greater local and national attention focused on law enforcement and national security, criminal justice students with bachelor's degrees are in demand; more than 80 percent of Cal Lutheran's graduates secure employment in the field immediately upon graduation.
CRIM 101 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
4 credits
Introduces the student to the fundamental concepts, institutions and formal and informal structures of American criminal justice. Includes a description and analysis of standard measures of criminal justice activity, crime reduction strategies and contemporary suggestions for improving criminal justice. (offered in fall)
CRIM 105 - Introduction to Law and Legal Process
4 credits
Seeks a broad and critical understanding of the historical and philosophical foundations of law. Topics include sources of legal tradition, the impact of law on society, judicial decision-making and legal restraints and impediments. The course will familiarize the student with electronic legal sources.
CRIM 276 - Criminal and Procedural Law
4 credits
A study of the concepts of criminal and procedural law as a social force. Includes the historical development of law and constitutional provisions, legal definitions, classification of crime, case law and methodology of the study of law. (offered in fall)
CRIM 311 - Statistics
4 credits
An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics. The student will be introduced to measures of central tendency and variation, tests of significance, measures of association, analysis of variance, correlation and regression - both bivariate and multivariate analysis. The course will make substantial use of the computer and statistical software. (offered in fall)
CRIM 320 - Critical Issues in Policing
4 credits
Examines the social, legal and political issues affecting policing in a democratic society, including police accountability, responsibility, community policing, individual and organizational deviance, civil liability and the role of technology. Students analyze contemporary research as related to the police role. (offered in fall of even numbered years)
CRIM 330 - Contemporary Corrections
4 credits
Examines current correctional practices (diversion, community supervision, institutionalization and special problems confronting correctional efforts) in light of historical, philosophical and social developments. (offered in spring of even numbered years)
CRIM 335 - Criminology
4 credits
The analysis of the nature, causes and distribution of crime, with an emphasis on the relationship between theoretical explanations of crime and contemporary social responses. Contemporary research supporting crime control/prevention efforts is examined. (Students may substitute Sociology 323 to satisfy this major requirement.) (offered in fall of odd numbered years)
CRIM 340 - Victimology
4 credits
Victimology addresses the theory and prevention of victimization, including the relationships between victims and offenders, the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system and the social, legal, business and institutional responses to victimization. There is specific focus on the victims of violent crimes such as spousal abuse, workplace violence, rape and predatory crime. (offered in fall of even numbered years)
CRIM 341 - Criminal Psychology
4 credits
Students examine theory, research, law and case studies to gain an understanding of the behavior of violent offenders. Research into biological, psychological and social causes is examined and evaluated. Additional topics include the role of the forensic psychologist, the science of profiling and the definitions and use of the insanity defense. (offered in spring)
CRIM 350 - Juvenile Delinquency
4 credits
A study of the social and psychological factors contributing to juvenile delinquency and the societal and governmental attempts to prevent and control individual delinquent behavior. The role of the juvenile court and common intervention strategies are also examined. (offered in spring of odd numbered years)
CRIM 403 - Constitutional Law in Criminal Justice
4 credits
Emphasizes Supreme Court decisions and constitutional issues relevant to the fourth, fifth, sixth, eighth and fourteenth amendments. Students are expected to research and present cases from the text and other legal sources. (offered in spring of odd numbered years)
CRIM 410 - Substance Abuse
4 credits
An overview of drug use in a historical and social context, primarily in the United States. The course covers alcohol and other controlled substances, paying particular attention to the implications of past and current drug use practices and policies for criminal justice agencies. (offered in fall of odd numbered years)
CRIM 412 - Methods of Research
4 credits
The study of the major methods of research used in social inquiry. Emphasis is on the use of social surveys, qualitative interviews, data analysis and interpretation. The student will make substantial use of the computer by applying statistical software to data entry and analysis, finding patterns in the data, testing hypotheses and presenting findings using tables and graphs. (offered in spring)
CRIM 430 - Women and Minorities in Criminal Justice
4 credits
An analysis of the roles and contributions of women and minorities in the criminal justice system as offenders, victims and practitioners. Examines the effect of court decisions, administrative rule making and contemporary criminal justice practices on gender and ethnic issues. (offered in spring of even numbered years)
CRIM 460 - Senior Seminar : Criminal Justice Philosophy and Practice
4 credits
A social, political, legal and philosophical examination of contemporary criminal justice policy. Includes an analysis of ethical issues confronting the police, courts and corrections and their impact on criminal justice practitioners, clients and the public. (offered in spring)
CRIM 482 - Selected Topics
1 credit
CRIM 490 - Independent Study
1 credit
CRIM 492 - Criminal Justice Internship
2 credits
Criminal justice majors are required to complete an internship in a criminal justice agency or related area during their junior or senior year. (graded P/NC only)
