Academic Catalog

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Office: 3054 Faculty/Administration Building; 313-577-2705
Chairperson: Brad Smith
Undergraduate Director: Shanhe Jiang
Academic Services Officer/Advisor: Marianka Holloway
Academic Services Officer II: Bibi Ahmed
https://clas.wayne.edu/cj

Criminal Justice is society's primary formal means of social control. Generally, it is the practice of public and private institutions working to deter crime and delinquency, prosecute, defend, adjudicate, punish, and rehabilitate individuals who enter the system. The core of the criminal justice system is comprised of law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, defense attorneys, courts, and institutional and community corrections departments. This system enforces state and federal laws and is part of a larger administration of justice complex, involving court administration, juvenile justice, and private security.

The study of crime and criminal justice begins with a multidisciplinary examination of the causes and correlates of crime and critical analysis of the criminal justice system as a force for social order. Advanced study involves attention to the political, organizational, social, and behavioral components of crime and the criminal justice system. Students develop analytical and research skills that enable them to identify and critically assess the often-conflicting objectives of the criminal justice system. Legal courses foster an awareness of the values of due process and the limits of governmental power in a democratic society. Innovative and theoretically based programs in the criminal justice system to reduce the incidence of crime are also examined.

The department advances a multidisciplinary understanding of the sources of criminal behaviors, including perspectives from criminology, psychology, and sociology. The curriculum exposes students to knowledge of the major types of crime, including crimes of violence, property crime, public order crime, sex crime, organized crime, delinquency, and beyond. The curriculum also includes attention to innovative and theoretically based programs in the criminal justice system that aim to reduce the incidence of crime.

Career opportunities in criminal justice include roles as police officers, supervisors, and executives; criminal justice investigators; public defenders; prosecutors; correctional officers; probation officers and parole officers; community corrections specialists; and a range of roles with organizations focused on criminal justice reform. Other specialized roles in criminal justice include juvenile intake officers, juvenile probation officers, criminologists, forensic psychologists, and research and policy analysts.

GEISTMAN, JAMES H.: Ph.D., University of Nebraska at Omaha; M.S., Wayne State University; M.A., Central Michigan University; B.A., Saginaw Valley State University; Associate Professor of Teaching

HICKLING, SHAMMA J.: M.S., B.A., Fayetteville State University; Assistant Professor of Teaching

JIANG, SHANHE: Ph.D., State University of New York; M.A., Nankai University; B.A., Wuhan University; Professor

KLAHM, CHARLES: Ph.D., M.S., University of Cincinnati; B.A., Northern Kentucky University; Associate Professor

LARSON, MATTHEW: Ph.D., Arizona State University; M.A., Wayne State University; B.A., Sienna Heights University; Associate Professor

MCLEOD, DANIKA L.J.: M.A., Xavier University; Assistant Professor of Teaching

SAVOLAINEN, JUKKA: Ph.D., State University of New York, Albany; M.A., B.A., University of Helinski, Finland; ; Professor

SMITH, BRAD: Ph.D., M.S., University of Cincinnati; B.S., Eastern Michigan University; Professor and Chair

STARZYNSKI, LAURA: Ph.D., M.A., University of Illinois at Chicago; B.A., Southwestern University; Associate Professor of Teaching

WAREHAM, JENNIFER: Ph.D., M.A., B.A., University of South Florida; Professor

WU, YUNING: Ph.D., M.A., University of Delaware; LL.B., Renmin University; Professor

ZALMAN, MARVIN: Ph.D., M.A., State University of New York, Albany; J.D., Brooklyn Law School; B.A., Cornell University; Professor Emeritus

CRJ 1010 Introduction to Criminal Justice Cr. 3

Satisfies General Education Requirement: Social Inquiry

Scientific method and multidisciplinary approach to administration, procedures, and policies of agencies of government charged with enforcing the law, adjudicating crime, and correcting criminal and deviant conduct. Response of justice system to social norms and trends; reciprocal relationship to social behaviors and values. No credit after former CRJ 2000. Offered Every Term.

CRJ 2130 Introduction to Forensic Anthropology and Human Rights Cr. 3

Introduction to forensic anthropology and its intersections with human rights issues and investigations in criminology, law, anthropology, and related fields. Forensic anthropology is a subfield of biological anthropology, but interdisciplinary cultural theories in justice, violence, and human rights influence how forensic anthropology is practiced in the US and abroad. The course introduces the basic scientific methodologies used by forensic anthropologists to analyze biological and material remains. It then applies forensic anthropological casework to the examination of human rights investigations and humanitarian concerns to understand how culture influences forensic science and vice versa. Offered Yearly.

Equivalent: ANT 2130

CRJ 2204 Outsiders and Deviants Cr. 3

Provides an overview of the sociological study of deviance, emphasizing crime and other deviant behaviors and conditions. Offered Yearly.

Equivalent: SOC 2204

CRJ 2550 Race, Crime and Justice Cr. 3

Satisfies General Education Requirement: Diversity Equity Incl Inquiry

Introduces students to sociological and legal analysis of the American justice system as a form of race based social control. The class will discuss data, theoretical approaches, and current research about the ways in which race and ethnicity are connected with criminal involvement and criminal justice processing. In doing so, we will learn about the complex ways in which the race-crime-criminal justice connection is both a product of societal forces and affects broader social relations. Offered Yearly.

CRJ 2650 Gender and Crime Cr. 3

Satisfies General Education Requirement: Diversity Equity Incl Inquiry

Critical examination of gender-related issues in criminal justice; impact on defendants, inmates, victims, and criminal justice personnel; relation to policy issues. Offered Yearly.

Equivalent: GSW 2650

CRJ 2750 Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice Cr. 3

Satisfies General Education Requirement: Diversity Equity Incl Inquiry

Critical examination of gender, race, class, and ethnicity issues in criminal justice; impact on defendants, inmates, victims, and criminal justice personnel; relation to policy issues. No credit after CRJ/GSW 3750. Offered Yearly.

Equivalent: GSW 2750

CRJ 2995 Special Topics in Criminology Cr. 3

Special criminology topics. Offered Every Term.

Repeatable for 6 Credits

CRJ 3050 Mental Health and Crime Cr. 3

Provides a comprehensive overview of the issues and challenges located at the intersection of mental health/illness and the criminal justice system. Attention will be focused on a range of topics, including, but not limited to, the definition of mental illness, deinstitutionalization and criminalization of the mentally ill, the impact of mental illness on criminal proceedings, treatment/intervention effectiveness, and the reentry/reintegration of mentally ill individuals. Offered Intermittently.

Equivalent: PH 3050

CRJ 3110 Domestic Violence and Criminal Justice Cr. 3

Emotional, physical, and sexual abuse in domestic relationships. Topics include: theories of violence, law, and the response of the justice system. No credit after former CRJ 4750. Offered Yearly.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

CRJ 3120 Politics of the Criminal Justice Process Cr. 3

Satisfies General Education Requirement: Civic Literacy

Political aspects of criminal justice; politics of crime legislation, police function, prosecution, adjudication, and corrections; Federal role in criminal justice. Offered Intermittently.

Equivalent: PS 3120

CRJ 3200 Police and Society Cr. 3

Overview of policing. Topics include: social and historical origins of policing, police culture, organizational structure of policing, future of policing. No credit after former CRJ 4600. Offered Fall, Winter.

CRJ 3260 Investigation Cr. 3

Overview of the history of criminal investigation, the functions of police investigators, crime scene search and evidence processing, an introduction to criminalistics, locating and interviewing witnesses, examining the elements of proof required in specific criminal offenses and interrogation techniques (pre- and post-Miranda). Offered Every Term.

Prerequisites: CRJ 1010 with a minimum grade of D-

CRJ 3270 Public Safety: sUAS (Drone) Technology Programs Cr. 3

This class focuses on the use of small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS), generally referred to as drones, within public safety and criminal justice settings. It will examine the evolution of this technology and the types of uses for which sUAS can be employed in public safety and criminal justice settings, as well as the legal, ethical, and privacy issues surrounding the adoption of sUAS programs in criminal justice agencies. Students will also have an opportunity to operate a sUAS /drone in controlled settings. Additionally, students will be prepared to take the FAA’s Part 107 Unmanned Aircraft General exam to receive their certificate to become a commercial drone pilot. Offered Yearly.

Fees: $85

CRJ 3350 Corrections Cr. 3

Description and analysis of legal, social and political issues affecting contemporary correctional theory and practice. Topics include: history of corrections, function and social structure of correctional institutions, institutional alternatives including diversion, probation and parole. Field trips to institutions and community correctional settings normally required. Offered Fall, Winter.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

Equivalent: SOC 3840

CRJ 3400 Juvenile Delinquency and Justice Cr. 3

Overview of the theoretical background, structure, and processes of contemporary juvenile justice, as well as the correlates and characteristics of delinquency. No credit after former CRJ 4410. Offered Yearly.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

CRJ 3550 Research Methods in Criminal Justice Cr. 3

Overview of research design and methodology; criminal justice data sources; designs for research; and introduction to descriptive and inferential statistics in criminal justice. No credit after former CRJ 4860. Offered Fall, Winter.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

CRJ 3700 The Judicial Process Cr. 3

Structure, powers, doctrines and judicial processes including origin, nature and functions of judicial review in the criminal justice system. Offered Yearly.

Prerequisite: CRJ 1010 with a minimum grade of D-

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

CRJ 3710 Legal Writing for Criminal Justice Cr. 3

This course will introduce students to the basic elements of legal writing and research in the American legal system, including use of the law library, case analysis, statutory analysis, constitutional analysis, writing legal memorandum, writing legal briefs, and persuasive writing. Offered Yearly.

CRJ 3800 Criminological Theories Cr. 3

Delineation, review, and critical analysis of major explanations of criminality including biological, psychological, deterrence, rational choice, learning and integrated theories. Offered Fall, Winter.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

CRJ 3900 Comparative Criminal Justice Cr. 3

Satisfies General Education Requirement: Global Learning Inquiry

Topics include: the foundation of criminal justice system, crime on the world scene, legal traditions, law enforcement, courts and criminal procedure, corrections, and juvenile justice around the world. Offered Yearly.

CRJ 4050 Crime and Public Health Cr. 3

Introduces students to the interface between public health and criminal justice in the United States, focusing on different aspects of the relationship. It will first describe the newly emerged epidemiological criminology, and then analyze a variety of topics on crime and public health, including, but not limited to, the health of incarcerated populations, the health of criminal justice professionals, health consequences of crime and risk behaviors, public health and law, gangs and gang violence, mental health and substance abuse, environmental justice, and public health interventions with criminal justice populations. Offered Intermittently.

Equivalent: PH 4050

CRJ 4220 Criminalistics Cr. 3

Application of the physical and biological sciences to criminal investigation; ballistics, fingerprints, DNA, trace evidence, drugs, arson and explosives, questioned documents, introduction to forensic anthropology, courtroom testimony, ethics. Offered Yearly.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Undergraduate level students.

CRJ 4230 Child Abuse and Neglect Cr. 3

Dynamics and psychopathology of child abuse: its incidence and impact on delinquent/criminal behavior, family, community, and the criminal justice system. Offered Intermittently.

CRJ 4310 Correctional Counseling Methods Cr. 3

Application of causal theories to counseling strategies. Models for offender classification and treatment. Counselor attitudes and styles. Special issues in the treatment of delinquents. Individual and group models for counseling. Evaluation models to assess counseling effectiveness. Offered Winter.

Prerequisite: CRJ 3400 with a minimum grade of D-

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

CRJ 4700 Criminal Law Cr. 3

This course will offer an examination of the substantive law, or the actual laws that govern the people. Substantive law includes common law and statutory rules, doctrines, and principles of substantive criminal law. Students will learn about development of criminal law, general elements of crime, general defenses, principles of accountability, and particular elements of specific crimes. Offered Intermittently.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

CRJ 4705 Wrongful Conviction and Justice System Error Cr. 3

Covers the criminal justice system correlates, incidence, definitions, and psychological and social consequences of wrongful convictions; exoneree compensation; cognitive biases; wrongful convictions as sentinel events. Topics include mistaken eyewitness identification; false confessions; forensic science issues; incentivized informants; error, misconduct and problems with police, defense attorneys, prosecutors, judges; shortcomings of pre-trial, trial, appellate & post-conviction processes; innocence reforms. Offered Winter.

Prerequisite: CRJ 1010 with a minimum grade of C

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

CRJ 4740 Constitutional Criminal Procedure Cr. 3

Topics include: constitutional safeguards, role of the Supreme Court, due process, search and seizure of persons and property, self-incrimination and confessions, right to counsel, and pre-trial and trial processes. Offered Yearly.

Prerequisite: CRJ 1010 with a minimum grade of D-

Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Junior or Senior.

CRJ 4970 Internship in Criminal Justice Cr. 3

A program of participation and study designed to give students the opportunity to interact with criminal justice professionals in the workplace. Internship opportunities are available in the courts, corrections, law enforcement, and other agencies. Offered Every Term.

Prerequisites: CRJ 1010 with a minimum grade of D-

Restriction(s): Enrollment limited to students with a class of Junior or Senior; enrollment is limited to students with a major in Criminal Justice; enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

CRJ 4990 Directed Study Cr. 1-3

Independent reading or research in a particular facet of criminal justice, culminating in an extended paper or research report prepared under direct supervision of faculty. Offered Every Term.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

Repeatable for 3 Credits

CRJ 4998 Honors Thesis in Criminal Justice Cr. 3-6

Research problem to be completed under the direction of a faculty member. Offered Every Term.

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Criminal Justice or Criminal Justice Honors; enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

CRJ 5993 Writing Intensive Course in Criminal Justice Cr. 0

Satisfies General Education Requirement: Writing Intensive Competency

Disciplinary writing assignments under the direction of the instructor for CRJ 3800. Satisfies the University General Education Writing Intensive Course in the Major requirement. Students must submit and endorse the Writing Intensive (CRJ 5993) Contract stating the departmentally-approved requirements of the research writing project. Offered Every Term.

Prerequisites: (AFS 2390 with a minimum grade of C, ENG 2390 with a minimum grade of C, ENG 3010 with a minimum grade of C, ENG 3020 with a minimum grade of C, or ENG 3050 with a minimum grade of C) and CRJ 3800 with a minimum grade of D- (may be taken concurrently)

Restriction(s): Enrollment is limited to Undergraduate level students.

CRJ 5994 Dispute Resolution Cr. 3

Overview of the processes and actors in the field of dispute resolution including negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and conciliation. Offered Yearly.

Equivalent: PCS 5000, PS 5890, PSY 5710

CRJ 5995 Special Topics in Criminal Justice Cr. 3

Selected topics in criminal justice issues. Offered Every Term.

Repeatable for 9 Credits

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