Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Criminal Justice Studies > Course Offerings

JFJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice Studies (3 C.H.)
This course serves as an introduction to the criminal justice system and its relationship to crime in American society. Topics such as social control, law enforcement, the public's perception of crime, punishment, rehabilitation, criminal courts, law, and political power in decision-making will be examined.

JFJ 301 Juvenile Justice Studies (3 C.H.)
The social causes, control, punishment, and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders in American society will be examined in this course. Theories of delinquency will be discussed and there will be an analysis of the criminal justice system in its handling of juvenile offenders. (Prerequisites: JFJ 101 and SOC 121 and/or SOC 141 or permission of instructor).

JFJ 371/SOC 371 Professional Seminar (1 C.H.)
This seminar is required of all juvenile and family justice majors with junior standing. Students will learn academic and non-academic skills needed to succeed in their profession. Ethical issues of the profession will be stressed.

JFJ 431/SOC 431 Selected Studies (3 C.H.)
Intensive study of a current sociological or anthropological topic. Topics offered vary, but the following are offered on a regular rotation:
Gender and Society: Examines the origins, nature, and consequences of gender role definitions and stereotypes upon the lives of men, women, and society. Historical and cross-cultural comparisons are made of the relative positions of women and men. It includes an examination of sexism in social institutions, controversial issues, and relevant social movements.
Urban Studies: Traces the development of urbanism from the pre-industrial city to the present post-industrial age. The course focuses upon urban growth and changes of demographic patterning, life styles, and economics. Theoretical models of urbanism will be discussed.
Juvenile Delinquency and Justice: A detailed examination of the control and punishment of juvenile offenders and the social causes of delinquency will be the central foci of this course. This will entail an examination of theories of delinquency and an analysis of the criminal justice system in its handling of juvenile offenders.
Popular Culture: The objective of this course is to explore the effect of popular culture upon our perceptions and definitions of ourselves and our socio-political reality. Examinations of the products of the entertainment industry and mass media will serve to provide myriad examples of popular cultural form for analysis.
(P. JFJ 101 and SOC 121 or SOC 141, or permission of instructor)

JFJ 501/SOC 501* Internship (6 C.H.)
An in-service training course to enable the student to practically apply specialized knowledge in a public service agency. Students work approximately 20 hours per week in a local or state agency. A log book and a research project in which the student correlates academic knowledge with practical experience will be required. The student will meet regularly with the sponsoring faculty member. (P: Sociology or JFJ majors only, juniors or seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in sociology or JFJ, with permission of the sponsoring faculty member)

JFJ 555/SOC 555 Cooperative Education (C.H. Variable)
These credits do not count toward major requirements.

JFJ 581/SOC 581* Special Projects (1-6 C.H.)
An opportunity to do individualized academic work in a selected field of sociology. This project may not duplicate any other departmental offerings. Department approval is required. (P: SOC or JFJ majors only, juniors or seniors, with permission of instructor)

JFJ 591/SOC 591* Independent Study (2-6 C.H.)
Individual study in an area of special interest to the student under the direction of a member of the Department of Sociology. This course is limited to junior and senior sociology or JFJ majors who have completed at least three upper level courses in sociology or JFJ and whose grade point average in all sociology or JFJ courses is at least 3.25.

*NOTE: Students planning to enroll in JFJ 501, JFJ 581 or JFJ 591 must declare their intention during the first week of the preceding semester. Qualified students will be limited to one experience in each of these courses.