Criminal Justice Course Descriptions

This course examines the criminal justice system in the United States. The course includes and analysis of the three main sub-components; police, courts and corrections and how each accomplishes its goals within the criminal justice process. Class hrs. 3. Offered fall and spring semesters.
 

This course includes an in-depth analysis of procedural due process as it applies to the duties and responsibilities of a police officer in New York State. Topics studied include arrest powers; stop question and frisk; search and seizure; civil liability; penal law; criminal procedure law; environmental conservation law; election law; Family Court Act; vehicle and traffic law; interrogation; and eyewitness identification. Class hrs. 5. Offered at the Police Academy and limited to sworn, full-time Police and Correctional Officers. Prerequisite: instructor’s permission.
 

This course is designed to give NY State Certification in the areas of CPR-Basic Life Support and Certified First Responder as they apply to the duties of a law enforcement or corrections officer in New York State. Class hrs. 2. It is offered at the Police Academy and limited to sworn, full-time Police and Correctional Officers. Prerequisite: instructor’s permission. Offered fall and spring semesters.
 

This course includes an in-depth analysis of criminal investigation as it applies to the duties and responsibilities of a police officer in New York State. Included are the specific topics of preliminary investigation and informant development; interviewing and interrogation; physical evidence; injury and death cases; larceny and theft cases; auto theft cases; bomb and bomb threat cases; organized crime cases; the crimes of burglary, robbery, arson; and sex crimes. Class hrs. 3. Offered at the Police Academy and limited to sworn, full-time Police and Correctional Officers. Prerequisite: instructor’s permission. Offered fall and spring semesters.
 

This course includes an in-depth analysis of the administration of justice as it applies to the duties and responsibilities of a police officer. Included are a historical perspective on law enforcement and an overview of: the criminal justice system, responsibilities and jurisdictions of law enforcement, the court structure of the criminal justice system, fingerprinting and booking procedures, observation and patrol, police communications, and crimes-in-progress calls. Class hrs. 2. Offered at the Police Academy and limited to sworn, full-time Police and Correctional Officers. Prerequisite: instructor’s permission. Offered fall and spring semesters.
 

An introduction to the scientific study of the causes and prevention of crime. The course examines criminal behavior and the theories of crime causation. Class hrs. 3. Offered fall and spring semesters.
 

This course is designed to present an integrated approach to the concept of domestic and international terrorist tactics. The course presents the various perspectives that have given rise to the use of terrorism in modern society. Various domestic groups and international organizations are presented. Counter-terrorism tactics employed by the military as well as state and federal law enforcement are discussed.
 

A capstone course for advanced students who study the analysis and solutions of typical criminal justice problems. Extensive library work is required, along with independent study of various problems. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: students must have first completed 45 credits in the Criminal Justice curriculum, and successfully completed PSCJ 101 and PSCJ 111 or have the permission of the Curriculum or Department Chairperson.
 

This course consists of a pre-service fieldwork experience supervised by the faculty in close cooperation with a supervisor of a criminal justice agency. The course is individually designed to afford the student the maximum theoretical and pragmatic experience. A weekly meeting with the faculty supervisor as well as 120 hours of fieldwork are required. Permission of the Curriculum or Department Chairperson is required. Students must have 40 credits.
 

The history, purpose, make-up, and programs of reformatories and prisons are studied. New concepts of institutional treatment, methods of discipline procedure, present-day institutions, study of the criminal and criminal personality; orientation of the inmate are also presented for analysis and examination. Class hrs. 3. Offered spring semester.
 

This course provides an examination of probation and parole as alternatives to incarceration within the criminal justice system. Particular consideration is devoted to the rationale, evolution, and functioning of community-based corrections. Class hrs. 3. Offered fall semester.
 

Consideration of law as a function of our culture with particular emphasis on the origin and history of law, codes, common and statutory law, and the establishment of a government under law is examined. Definitions of crimes and classifications of offenses are considered, along with the basic principles and concepts of law. Case studies of crimes in selected categories are considered for analysis. Class hrs. 3. Offered fall semester.
 

This course examines the relationship of management functions (i.e., planning, organizing, staffing, direction, and controlling) to the organization and administration of an effective police agency. Students are involved in analysis of management functions as they relate to the criminal justice system. Classical and contemporary organizational models, as well as typical administrative procedures, control processes, and resource utilization are studied. Specific topics include administrative procedures, legal authority, labor relations, motivational challenges, communication systems, and management strategies. Lecture hrs. 3. Offered fall and spring semesters.
 

This course examines a number of issues relating to the supervision and management of police within the context of a multicultural/multi-ethnic society. The issues studied include the basic supervisory responsibilities of a supervisor in law enforcement, the concepts and inter-relationships of basic organizational structures, leadership styles, terms and concepts associated with police supervision, supervisor influence on employee performance, barriers to effective communication, employee counseling, and interview in a police setting. Class hrs. 5. Offered twice a year at the Police Academy to full-time police officers only.
 

The study of the complex and sensitive issues involved in the relationship between the police and the community they serve. Various attitudes and beliefs which affect police-community relations are examined. Methods and programs designed to improve that relationship are explored and evaluated. Class hrs. 3. Offered fall semester.
 

A survey course examining organized crime and its role in contemporary American society. Attention is focused on the origins, organization, membership, and functions of the criminal cartel. The control of organized crime within the criminal justice system is also investigated. Class hrs. 3. Offered spring semester.
 

This course examines the fundamentals of supervision as applied to police operations, including techniques to provide effective leadership, discipline, training, and communications within the supervisor’s area of responsibility. Class hrs. 3. Prerequisite: PSPOL 120 Police Organization and Management. Offered fall and spring semesters.