58 courses with the subject CLS, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
CLS 099FRAMING THE DEATH PENALTY ISSUE
The debate over society's use of the death penalty has existed as long as society has been around. As more states and countries decide to discontinue or modify the practice, some thoughtful reflection is needed on the true issues underlying the debate. The course will help frame those issues to facilitate more in-depth discussion in future endeavors. Lecture presentations using PowerPoint will be posted as well as a reading list. Discussion boards will be used. The course is designed to permit students to complete it at their own pace during the semester without set start/end times, other than the beginning date for the term and the last day of classes. 1 credit
Study of the contemporary criminal justice system, major systems of social control and their policies and practices; victimology; juvenile justice; comparative criminal justice of the field. 3 credits
This course examines the historical background, the traditions, and the legal principles that underlie the Courts as an integral component of the American System of Criminal Justice. Both differences and similarities inherent within the State and Federal Court processes will be analyzed, and the procedures through which the Criminal Courts uphold the basic rights and liberties of all U.S. citizens, both victims and the accused, will be explored. The dynamics of the judiciary will be considered through the examination of the critical foundations of the judicial process. A primary focus will be placed upon understanding the respective roles played by the Judges, Prosecuting Attorneys, Defense Counsel, Police and Probation Officers, and other Court-related personnel in the criminal court process.
This course introduces you to the skills necessary in any field of Criminology. Effective research is a necessary skill of anyone who seeks to improve any aspect of the Criminal System and make it a more effective instrument of justice. Writing skills in this area are critical since decision makers most often rely upon well-constructed, authoritative and concise reports to guide policy decisions in these critical areas. And in virtually every area of Criminology, individuals ultimately become advocates either for individuals or for important policy initiatives. Thus, understanding the art of advocacy is critical. This course will assist you in developing skills in all of these areas. Beginning Fall 2018, this course must be completed by the end of the sophomore year. 3 credits
This version of special topics will focus on hate crimes. An analysis of the origins of hate crimes with a particular emphasis on law enforcements efforts to investigate and prosecute them will be presented. The course would be an interesting supplement to the Criminology of Hate Course otherwise to be taught in upcoming semesters.
Evidence uncovered by the finest detective, or the most sophisticated CSI will be of little use to a prosecutor if it is not admissible in the trial of a criminal case or does not satisfy the burden of proof the law imposes. This course explores the basics of the language of a criminal trial: the rules and principles of evidence. What is "relevant"? When will "relevant" evidence be excluded by the rules of hearsay or the defendant's right to confront witnesses? The nature and permissible scope of expert testimony will be an important aspect of the course. How does forensic science translate into court testimony? What other subjects of expert testimony do/should courts recognize? Finally, what is the meaning of "proof beyond a reasonable doubt"? Why are jury verdicts in some celebrated cases only understandable by reference to this basic principle of the criminal process? Students will engage in trial simulations to illustrate various points of the course material. 3 credits
Study of causative factors of juvenile delinquency and the treatment of juvenile offenders. Specific topics include gang subcultures, peer pressure, juvenile offenses, and the juvenile justice system. 3 credits 163
This course utilizes theoretical and empirical readings to examine race, crime, and criminal justice. While it examines racial and ethnic relations in society, it focuses on ways in which race may affect decisions to commit crime, policing and minority communities, and the disparities in the justice system. Further, the course will address issues in court proceedings, sentencing, and corrections. By evaluating research and discussing modern controversial issues, students will have the opportunity to create informed decisions, identify areas most profoundly affected by racial inequities, and outline solutions and practices designed to emphasize equality and justice.
This course will allow the student to gain a qualified understanding of the various types of sexual violence and the legal definitions of Sexual Assault, Rape, and other forms of sexual violence, how the numerous types of criminal offenses relative to Sexual Assault are graded under the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, and the Statute of Limitations on reporting cases of Sexual violence. The course will continue in providing the student with an updated familiarity about the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, Title 18, Section 505 - Use of Force in Self-Protection.? The student will gain a complete and thorough understanding, including legal consequences, on when, how, and why certain levels of force are allowed under the law for self-protection. Finally, the course will explain and discuss solutions for overcoming Sexual Violence, providing Self-Protection possibilities, and Legal Issues concerning Sexual Violence.? Several texts will be utilized in forming a decision on the relative prevalence of sexual violence in society, especially on College campuses across the nation.
The primary objective of this course is to present to the student basic principles and methods of the American Criminal Justice System. It will discuss aspects of crime, means of social control, law enforcement, and the operation of criminal courts. (Formerly PS- 227)
This course is designed to examine a variety of forms of mass violence, including serial, rampage, and spree murders. The course material will also discuss familicide, genocide, terrorist attacks, and systemic victimization. Rooted in theory, this class aims to understand personal, societal, and cultural factors that contribute to mass violence. In addition, the social and policy responses to mass violence and public response to such events will be covered. In order to understand mass violence in a criminal justice context, it also becomes necessary to study rates of occurrence, historical events, and prior research (including methodology and limitations). While the course focuses on mass violence in the United States, other international mass violence cases will be discussed briefly.
Study of the history, theory, practice and legal environment of incarceration, diversion, community-based correction, and treatment of offenders. 3 credits
This course describes historical events that shaped practices in policing that exist in American jurisdictions today. It is designed to show how police interaction and public opinion changed policing strategies. This course will also show how changes in Supreme Court rulings on criminal procedure changed the type of investigative work performed by police agencies.
This course is meant to give the students an in-depth insight into the phenomenon of capital punishment throughout history and as it is specifically applied today in the United States. The material will be presented from three distinct approaches: the sociological/criminological background and theory of the death penalty, the penological dimension of the carrying out of executions by prison officials and the differing challenges that presents from administering life sentences without parole, and the legal framework in which the death penalty may be applied as determined by the courts and legislature. The course will be team taught by the faculty of the CLS Program whose specialized interests correspond to the perspectives the course will present. Course materials will be distributed online. Extensive class discussion is anticipated.
An analysis of the administration and management of organizations to include their structure and environment, problems of communication, motivation of personnel, leadership, personnel supervision, organizational conflict, decision-making, organizational effectiveness, and changes and innovation in administration and management.
Criminology is a discipline that covers a wide variety of societal areas intertwined with the criminal justice system. Those areas include the kinds of human conduct that should be criminalized, the policy considerations in the enforcement of criminal laws, limits on how the investigation of those crimes should take place, terrorism, violence and victimization, police accountability, race relations, mental health, homeland security, narcotics trafficking and addiction, the impact of new technologies, gangs and organized criminal activity, mass violence, and a multitude of other issues. This course will explore a range of these topics, giving the student the opportunity to perceive the vastness and intricacy of the problems facing those who try to achieve a just system consistent with the protection of the innocent and the fair treatment of all who are affected when criminal activity occurs. The course is of particular value to students in the early stages of their work in criminology so as to give them a perspective on these larger topics enabling them to focus their research efforts as they progress through the curriculum.
What is law, and what is its purpose? Is human law dependent upon a higher, Divine law? What is the relationship between law and morality, and what makes a law binding? Is it ever morally acceptable to disobey the law, and, if so, when? Such are among the central questions of the philosophy of law, and philosophers have been reflecting on them for thousands of years. In this course, we will look at some of the central theories of law that have shaped our legal 164
The course is meant to correlate the basic principles of psychology with conduct manifesting itself in criminal violations. A full understanding of the various pathologies contributing to the diagnosis of behavior commonly reflected in criminal conduct will be developed. Techniques for assessing such behavior and the standards for characterizing it are to be studied as a preliminary to the sort of psychological profiling to be discussed in more advanced courses.
This course provides an overview of mentally disordered individuals' involvement in the criminal justice system and a historical perspective on how we have arrived at this point. Topics include the development of mental health practice and policies within the scope of the three main components of the criminal justice system, policing interventions, the insanity defense, violence and mental illness, and diversion strategies.
The course introduces the leading theories and research in the area of violent criminal behavior and victimization. A special emphasis is on violent patterns and victimization over time, victim-offender relationships, and the experience of victims in the criminal justice system. Addresses major violent crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, assault, and serial killing.
This course is designed to introduce students to principles of quantitative strategies in criminology. Using statistical software, students will engage in basic data analysis, including univariate and bivariate measures, correlation, t-tests, analysis of variance, regression and related measures. Emphasis will be placed on how to use, interpret and understand some of the techniques used by social science researchers and practitioners within the criminal justice system.
This course will focus on developing leadership and supervision skills utilizing the military leadership theories of Sun Tzu, Antoine Jomini, and the US Army Field Manual 3-0, C1 (USAFM). Students are exposed to 25 centuries of military thought. While military leadership is highlighted, the principles developed in this course are directly applicable to the practice of law, implementation of government policy, and business organizations. This course will focus on planning, strategy, tactics, and operational aspects of leadership in government, law, and business. Eight military leadership principles are common among Sun Tzu, Antoine Jomini, and the USAFM, and these shared constructs form the basis for which leadership theory will be explored. Ethical dilemmas, current events, battles, and business/higher education scenarios will be used to help students understand and improve their leadership skills.
The course will focus on understanding the trends and implications of the varying crime rates experienced in America in recent history and the policy implications as such rates are projected into the future. What caused the steep increase in crime in the 1980's? Why did crime rates plummet in the mid 1990's? Where do the rates project in the upcoming decade? The presentations will involve a number of etiological and system-oriented discussions that would include an element of international criminology and would likely rely on the books The Great American Crime Decline, The New Criminal Justice, and Understanding Crime Statistics.
This course is meant to build upon the Juvenile Justice Course and give the students an appreciation of the complexity of the juvenile justice system and the challenges it presents to those who administer the distinct judication system which handles Juvenile cases and the programs established in the various jurisdictions to treat juveniles adjudicated by the judicial system.
Students will gain an understanding of homeland security by analyzing the various security principles and policies that establish a foundation upon which to organize U.S. security efforts as a nation. Students will study how the national strategy aligns and focuses homeland security functions within critical areas such as: (1) intelligence and warning, border and transportation security, domestic terrorism; (2) protecting critical infrastructure and defending against catastrophic terrorism; and (3) emergency preparedness and consequence management. The first area focuses primarily on preventing terrorist attacks, the second area on reducing the nation's vulnerabilities, and the third on minimizing the damage and recovery from the aftermath of terrorist attacks.
CLS 344CLS-375, CLS-376, CLS-440, BA-340 or an approved
course of study or practical exposure to the practice of law judged by the Admissions Committee to permit the student to maintain their standing in the Advanced curriculum the Certificate requires by the Department Chair. Required (4 courses/ 12 credits):
Independent investigation and research into a special topic for selected students. Topics are determined by both student and professor. Prerequisite: permission of faculty member and departmental chair. May be repeated. Variable credit
This course is an overview of research methodology in the social sciences. The general subject areas include research design, sampling, quantitative and qualitative methods, ethical issues, and computer- assisted analysis of results using SPSS. The emphasis will be on quantitative methods. Occasional offering.
An examination of the complex sociological, psychological, and criminological dimensions of criminal street gangs, gang membership, and the problems of law enforcement in prosecuting these entities. This course will cover a wide spectrum of topics that interrelate to this complex issue in law enforcement.
This course will examine the notions of gender identity and development, social constructs of gender, and the ways in which femininities and masculinities may influence victimization and offending. Rooted in criminological theory, including modern feminist theories, the course will evaluate empirical research to examine the function of gender in the criminal justice system, media representation of male and female offenders, and gendered experiences as criminal justice professionals.
Examines the historical, societal, and legal aspects of firearms in American society. The Constitution and legal precedents are considered, as are changes in regulation over time. Questions concerning private ownership and crime rate trends will be discussed along with the factors and theoretical perspectives of gun violence in America. 3 credits
This course will examine the origins and growth of organized crime in America. The major focus of the course will be on the traditional five (5) organized crime families of New York. However, we will also examine other types of organized crime including the so-called "Irish Mob" and organized crime groups associated with the former Soviet Union. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the structure, culture and street rules of these criminal enterprises. Additional topics will also include the tools and methods used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate and prosecute organized crime members.
To assist students in preparing for the preparation and presentation of their Capstone Project, the Department offers this team-taught course to provide specific direction on the substance of the work that would be deemed acceptable for a Capstone Project. Four specific areas will be covered. First, a review of research methods with be provided to assist the students in making certain that they provide an adequate basis of authority for the position their Capstone paper presents. Second, a review of statistics will permit the students to understand how to effectively analyze and present statistical data their research uncovers in order to support the argument set forth in their presentation. Third, a review of the theories of the discipline will make sure that the students understand that the appropriate presentation of any proposal allows theory to drive research and then policy. Finally, the students will receive overall instruction on how to effectively set forth their Capstone presentation and how to prepare an effective PowerPoint that will allow them to engage the audience to whom they will present their analysis and conclusions. While this course is primarily directed to Criminology majors, it would prove valuable to anyone preparing a Capstone presentation in a number of academic disciplines. One credit.
The difference between an average criminal investigator and a great one is profound. The great ones must see a field wider than just the horizon of an arrest and perceive issues far more numerous and complex than simply where fingerprints might be found. They must appreciate what insight the hard sciences may afford them, what the cyber-world may yield as fruitful evidence, and what the forensic accountant might help them uncover. They must also know the limits of such specialties. Even more so, they must glean the culture and social mores of the environment in which the investigation is to take place and appreciate the nature of the people who may come to fill the roles of victim, witness and suspect. They are like great field generals, understanding their own resources and of those who oppose them, the need for direction without the burden of rigidity when the original direction is shown to be ineffective and, ultimately, never losing sight of their central mission. That mission is to find the truth but, even more critically, to achieve justice in a way which serves the noblest principles of their profession. 3 credits
Race and Justice offers a more comprehensive examination of the modern political issues in the discourse on race and the criminal justice system. In this discussion-based course, students will be expected to read and evaluate a variety of arguments and perspectives 166
This course will be an intensive exercise in the analysis of legal problems and the application of statutes and precedents in aid of the formulation of a thoughtful resolution. The students will be presented with numerous hypothetical situations and applicable statutes and precedents. They will be required to determine various lines of argument to resolve the situations from the perspectives of the opposing sides. One week of this course will be devoted to an understanding of the principles of statutory interpretation. 3 credits.
The crafting of documents for use in any legal setting requires proficiency in two distinct areas. First, the applicable law must be gathered through effective legal research. And second, the document must be prepared in a clear, concise and authoritative manner so as to convince the Court that the relief sought should be granted. Students will learn the essential tools of legal research and the art of crafting documents with correct citations of authority. It is anticipated that a civil complaint, an answer to a civil complaint, motions in a criminal prosecution, a sales agreement, and similar standard non-formulaic documents will be prepared in a format an attorney may review for presentation to a Court.
The first section of this course will be devoted to ensuring that the students are familiar with the rudiments of legal ethics through a review of the key provisions of the Code of Professional Responsibility. Thereafter, the students will be offered the opportunity to obtain an intense briefing of the key principles in three separate practice areas (Criminal/Civil Litigation, Property Law, and Wills & Estates). The course will conclude with the students preparing a PowerPoint presentation on a topic area of interest including specific ethical challenges the area presents. This course will be an online offering.
Nonprofit Studies Certificate (12 Credits) The nonprofit studies certificate enables students to learn the nuances of working for and running nonprofit organizations such as charities, arts organizations, government agencies and religious organizations among others. Through courses like “Nonprofit Management and Nonprofit and Social Marketing,” students gain exposure and knowledge about managing these types of organizations. Required (3 courses/ 9 credits):
The phenomenon of cybercrime has created serious challenges both for those in the cybersecurity field and the criminal justice system. This course will analyze how crimes of various types and potential national security threats are or may be committed by use of the Internet and/or other cybertechnologies. Ethical considerations in the use of such technology as a weapon to combat crime and terrorism will also be discussed, along with the statutory framework under which prosecutions of such crimes may take place. 3 credits CLS-440 CONSTIT. LITIGATION/ANALYSIS The course will focus on the art of litigating Constitutional issues. Selected topics in Constitutional Law (such as Equal Protection, Substantive Due Process, Free Speech, Establishment Clause, Commerce Clause) will be discussed from the perspective of forming effective arguments on both sides of a given problem. The topics will be developed in depth with a view to giving the student an appreciation of the nuances in each area. There will be a heavy emphasis on legal reasoning, analysis and argumentation. The course will conclude with the preparation of a brief and the presentation of oral arguments to a panel of judges. A semester of Constitutional Law or some equivalent prior coursework is necessary. Formerly titled Advanced Constitutional Law.
This course examines the major ethical dilemmas that confront criminal justice professionals throughout their careers. Students are exposed to the philosophical principles of ethical decision making. Students also examine issues-based, practical approaches to ethical issues found in all three branches of the criminal justice system - police, courts, and corrections. Policy issues are reviewed, and students are encouraged to engage in discussions of key topics in professional ethics and the delicate balance between law and justice. Students enrolled in this course will begin to think about the impact and importance of ethical decision making by criminal justice professionals.
This course focuses on the study of crimes, criminals, causes of criminal behavior and victimization issues. Students explore how the classical, psychological, sociological, economic, biological and political theories of crime explain criminal behavior, and the impact of these theories on the work of the criminal justice system.
Students may arrange to receive credit for employment experience in various non-college settings. It is also possible to have paid or unpaid professional work entered into the transcript as "no credit." repeated. Variable credit.
permission of the departmental coordinator. May be
CLS 590CLS CAPSTONE PROJECT
This is the capstone course for justice studies students. It will focus on the integration of information learned from different courses with special focus on criminal law and legal issues, theories of crime, juvenile delinquency, law enforcement, corrections, ethics, forensic science, and research methods. This course will be offered to justice studies students in their final semester in which they receive their degrees. Prerequisite: Student must be in the last semester of their Criminology, Law, and Society course work, or receive permission of instructor. 3 credits
