Criminal Justice
The baccalaureate program in Criminal Justice at Norwich University provides its students with a liberal arts based education that emphasizes critical thinking and knowledge about crime, criminal law, the criminal justice system, and the sociocultural environment in which human behavior occurs. The program emphasizes the interdependence between theoretical and research knowledge and practice. It also strives to cultivate a commitment to the principles of justice, ethics, and public service and to the development of leadership skills.
In order to provide career preparation for students expecting to work in the criminal justice field or related fields, the program offers internships, career counseling, and pre-law advising, and incorporates into the curriculum case analyses, police and court observations, field trips, simulations, and guest lectures by practitioners. Internships and work-study opportunities are also available at the Vermont Center for Justice Research (VCJR), which is currently administered by the Norwich criminal justice faculty. The VCJR, one of only seven state criminal justice statistical analysis centers affiliated with a university, is responsible for information dissemination, statistical analysis, and planning in criminal justice for the State of Vermont.
The department also offers a special minor in computer crime and forensics with scholarships available from the Information Assurance Scholarship Program.
Students accepted into the Criminal Justice Program in good standing upon entrance to Norwich University must have a minimum combined 1350 score on the new SAT and over a 2.50 average (on a 4.00 point scale) in high school academic work.
B.A. in Criminal Justice - Curriculum Map
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice1 | 3 | CJ 102 Substantive Criminal Law1 | 3 |
| EN 101 Composition and Literature I | 3 | EN 102 Composition and Literature II | 3 |
| Foreign Language (or Lab Science & Sociology)2 | 6-7 | Foreign Language (or Lab Science & Psychology)2 | 6-7 |
| Math Elective (excludes MA103) | 3 | ||
| 12-13 | 15-16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CJ 209 Methods of Social Science Research | 4 | CJ 201 Criminology | 3 |
| EN 201 World Literature I | 3 | EN 202 World Literature II | 3 |
| Lab Science & Sociology (or Foreign Language)3 | 6-7 | Lab Science & Psychology (or Foreign Language)3 | 6-7 |
| MA 232 Elementary Statistics | 3 | Political Science Elective | 3 |
| 16-17 | 15-16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CJ 308 The Police1 | 3 | CJ 310 The Courts1 | 3 |
| CJ 301 Criminal Procedure1 | 3 | CJ 312 Corrections1 | 3 |
| History Elective (preferably HI222) | 3 | IS 399 Test course | 3 |
| PH 324 Criminal Justice Ethics | 3 | Humanities Elective | 3 |
| SO 214 Racial and Cultural Minorities | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CJ Elective1 | 3 | CJ 410 Senior Seminar1 | 3 |
| PO 321 U.S. Constitutional Law (or free elective) | 3 | PO 324 Civil Liberties (or free elective)4 | 3 |
| Humanities Elective (lit course) | 3 | CJ Elective1 | 3 |
| Humanities Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 | Free Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 118-122 | |||
| 1 | Grade of "C" or higher required in these courses (CJ electives). |
| 2 | Preference for SO 201 Introduction to Sociology or SO 202 Problems of Modern SocietySociety; excludes SO 214 Racial and Cultural Minorities. |
| 3 | If not taken freshman year. |
| 4 | PO 324 Civil Liberties should be taken in spring only if PO 321 U.S. Constitutional Law was not taken in fall. |
NOTE: In addition to the above, members of the Corps of Cadets are required to complete an ROTC course each semester through the third year.
Minor in Criminal Justice
For the minor in criminal justice, the student must complete six courses (18 degree credits) with a grade of "C" or better that must include:
| CJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ 102 | Substantive Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJ 201 | Criminology | 3 |
| Select two of the followling: | 6 | |
| The Police | 3 | |
| The Courts | 3 | |
| Corrections | 3 | |
| One CJ Elective 1 | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 18 | |
| 1 | Any CJ course other than CJ 209 Methods of Social Science Research. |
For the minor in Cyber Crime and Computer Forensics see listing in Business and Management School.
Minor in Sociology
| SO 201 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| SO/CJ 209 | Methods of Social Science Research | 4 |
or one of the following social science methodology courses: | ||
| Historical Methods | 3 | |
| Research Methods | 3 | |
| Experimental Psychology I | 3 | |
| Experimental Psychology II | 3 | |
| SO 202 | Problems of Modern Society | 3 |
| SO 212 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| or SO 214 | Racial and Cultural Minorities | |
| Two elective courses (or 6 degree credits) from other offerings in sociology 1 | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 19 | |
| 1 | Including the SO 300 Selected Topics, SO 212 or SO 214 not used in the above selection, other than SO 209/CJ 209 - sociology cross-listed courses (SO 320, SO 402) must be taken under the SO number to apply to the minor. |
CJ majors pursuing a Sociology minor cannot count cross-listed courses other than CJ 209/SO 209 for both the major and minor.
Courses
CJ 101. Introduction to Criminal Justice. 3 Credits.
A general survey of the principles, system, and process of criminal justice. Introduction to conceptions and definitions of crime, criminal law, and due process. Examination of the organization and operation of the three basic components of the criminal justice system -- the police, the courts, and corrections -- individually and in relationship to one another. Offered in fall semesters.
CJ 102. Substantive Criminal Law. 3 Credits.
This course presents the development of criminal law in the United States and discusses its principles, sources, distinctions, and limitations. The following topics are covered in detail: criminal liability; offenses against persons, property, public peace and public justice; preparatory activity crimes; and defenses available to those charged with criminal activity. Offered spring semester.
CJ 201. Criminology. 3 Credits.
This course covers the various biological, psychological, and sociological types of theory that have been offered to explain the incidence of crime in society. Various types of crime, including violent, property, corporate, political and victimless crime, methods of studying crime, and characteristics of criminals are also examined. Offered spring semesters.
CJ 209. Methods of Social Science Research. 4 Credits.
An examination of the methodological foundations of the social sciences; the logic and technique of empirical inquiry; the nature of social facts, the operationalization of concepts, and the construction of hypotheses; research designs including surveys, interviews, experiments, observation, and evaluation; the organization and analysis of data; graph and table construction and interpretation; the common problems of empirical social research; and research ethics. Emphasis given to criminal justice applications. The lab part of the course instructs students how to use and apply SPSS and other relevant software. Cross-listed with SO 209. Offered fall semester. Classroom and Laboratory 4 hours.
CJ 300. Topics in Criminal Justice. 3 Credits.
Selected topics offered on occasion.
CJ 301. Criminal Procedure. 3 Credits.
This course addresses the legal procedure connected with arrest, search and seizure, identification and questioning, bail setting, indictments, and plea bargaining. Offered fall semesters.
CJ 304. Juvenile Delinquency. 3 Credits.
An examinatoin of the social and psychological dimensions of juvenile delinquency, its nature, extent, distribution, and patterns. Evaluation of theories and explanations of delinquent causation, and the investigation of delinquent subcultures. Consideration of labeling and conflict factors in the processing, prevention, and treatment of delinquents.
CJ 305. Juvenile Justice. 3 Credits.
A general survey of the philosophy, system and process of juvenile justice. Examination of the social and legal control of juvenile delinquency by the police, courts and corrections, as well as by private agencies. Emphasis on the distinctions in philosophy, law, jurisdiction, organization and terminology between the juvenile justice system and the adult criminal justice system. Offered every other year.
CJ 306. Victimology. 3 Credits.
An examination of the role of the victim in crime and the treatment of the victim by the criminal justice system. Instruction in the use of victimization data in determining crime rates and in developing prevention programs. Review of victim assistance, restitution and compensation programs. Offered every other year.
CJ 307. Social Control and Crime Prevention. 3 Credits.
The course will focus on crime prevention as a method of social control and will examine processes of social control as social and institutional sources of crime prevention. Examination of personal defense, environmental, situational, community, and social models of crime prevention. Offered every other year.
CJ 308. The Police. 3 Credits.
A general survey of American policing and police organizations. Examination of the history of the police and the police idea, as well as structural, cultural, and social psychological analyses of police organizations. Coverage of the topics of police socialization, behavior, and discretion; routine and specialized operations; community policing; and police misconduct, accountability and change in policing.
CJ 310. The Courts. 3 Credits.
An analysis of America's courts, and the courtroom work group with particular attention given to the dual role of the courts in adjudicating cases and interpreting the U.S. and state constitutions.
CJ 312. Corrections. 3 Credits.
An analysis of the development and present structure of the correctional process in America, including detailed examinations of the operational problems of correctional institutions, probation and parole practices and other community-based correctional alternatives. Offered spring semesters.
CJ 314. Restorative Justice. 3 Credits.
This course presents a new paradigm of community justice as an alternative to the retributive model. The course examines and contrasts restorative approaches and traditional punitive responses to crime. Topics include mediation, victim-offender reconciliation, reparation for harm done to victims and the community and offender re-integration into the community. Offered every other year. Prerequisite: CJ 101 or permission of instructor. 3 lecture hours.
CJ 320. Drugs and Society. 3 Credits.
This course focuses on the interrelationships between drugs and the social order. Issues considered include: the nature and effects of legal and illegal drugs; the determinants of drug effects, especially the social determinants; the history of drug prohibition; drug addiction and drug treatment; and drug policy. Cross-listed with SO 320. Offered every other year.
CJ 330. Terrorism. 3 Credits.
In this course, students examine the critical issues of domestic and international terrorism. The phenomenon of terrorism is analyzed from varying theoretical and empirical perspectives. Topics include terror organizations/networks, ideology, motives, tactics, and propaganda. Attention is also given to terrorism research trends, current events, and future implications. Offered annually. Prerequisite: CJ 101 or permission of instructor.
CJ 341. Cyber Law and Cyber Crime. 3 Credits.
The course includes extensive discussion of the legal constraints, both civil and criminal, that underlie acceptable behavior using computers and networks today. Prerequisites: IS 120 or IS 130 and CJ 201 or permission of instructor. Offered in fall semesters.
CJ 400. Independent Study. 3 Credits.
An opportunity for qualified upperclass students to engage in an intensive research program in fields of interest not satisfactorily covered by regular course offerings. Periodic conferences will be required. Prerequisite: written consent of the instructor to a specific project presented by the applicant. Open only to criminal justice majors with a cumulative quality point average of 2.5 or better and who have grades averaging 3.0 or better in prior course work in criminal justice. Offered on occasion.
CJ 402. Law and Society. 3 Credits.
An analysis of various theoretical perspectives on the nature, courses, organization and operation of law and legal systems. Emphasis will be placed on law creation, conflict resolution, the legal profession, and the role of law in social change. Cross listed with SO 402. Offered every other year.
CJ 403. Criminal Justice Administration. 3 Credits.
An introduction to the principles of public administration as they are applied in the operation of criminal justice agencies. This course will emphasize how such topics as organization, decision making, leadership style, personnel policy, planning, and budgeting are specifically adapted by criminal justice administrators to meet the needs of their agencies. Simulations will be used extensively as a tool for mastering administrative principles. Prerequisite: CJ 101 or permission of instructor. Offered every other year.
CJ 405. Internship. 3 Credits.
This elective course permits an upper-level student to participate directly in the criminal justice process by serving as an aide to agencies involved in the process. This offering is subject to the availability of such internships. Open only to junior and senior criminal justice majors, and to senior criminal justice minors on availability. Offered fall, spring and summers.
CJ 410. Senior Seminar. 3 Credits.
A course dedicated to intensive research and analysis of major issues in criminal justice. Emphasis will be placed on critical thinking and evaluation of topics previously discussed during the student's academic career in the criminal justice program. Attention will also be given to professional development topics, ethics and criminal justice policy. Prerequisite: criminal justice major and senior standing. CJ 410 meets capstone requirement. Offered spring semesters.
CJ 421. Comparative Criminal Justice Systems. 3 Credits.
This course examines how countries other than the United States deal with the problem of crime and its control. It begins from the classic approach of a critical analysis of the history and development of the world's great legal traditions, and the role and structure of the crimina justice systems inside those traditions. Prerequisite: CJ 101. Offered every other year. 3 credits hours.
CJ 422. Civil Liability in the Criminal Justice System. 3 Credits.
This course examines the civil law that governs criminal justice agencies. As representatives of the government, Criminal Justice agencies must adhere to the Constitution and other State and Federal laws. When they fail to do so, the aggrieved party has the right to sue. This course explores the major state and federal liability theories that govern the management and daily operations of the police and correctional facilities. In addition, this course draws on your previous police, corrections and law courses to explore management issues related to civil liability. Prerequisite: CJ 101, CJ 102, CJ 301. Offered every other year. 3 credits hours. Open only to juniors and seniors.
CJ 423. Evidence. 3 Credits.
The course is an in-depth examination of the rules governing the admissibility or exclusion of evidence at trail. Subjects include competency of witness, direct and cross-examination of witnesses, the rule against hearsay and its exceptions, expert and lay opinion testimony, privileged communications, relevancy, procedural considerations, judicial notice, burden of proof, presumptions, form and type of objections, authentication, the best evidence rule and the use of demonstrative and scientific evidence. Prerequisites: CJ 101 and CJ 102. Offered every other year. 3 credit hours. Open only to juniors and seniors.
CJ 424. Murder: Our Killing Culture. 3 Credits.
This course provides a comprehensive examination of the nature and extent of both the common and unusual forms of murder in the United States. The class examines characteristics, trends, and the theoretical explanations of homicide as well as the prediction and prevention of various kiinds of murder. The impact of murder on homicide survivors is also examined as well as the use of murder as entertainment in our culture. The course is designed to give students greater insight into serial, spree and mass murder, intrafamilial homicide, murder in the workplace, profiling and stalking. Although emphasis is placed on the sociological determinants of murder, psychological and biological factors are also examined. Prerequisite: CJ 101 or permission of instructor. Offered every other year. 3 credits hours. Open only to juniors and seniors.
CJ 425. Domestic Violence. 3 Credits.
This course provides a comprehensive examination of the nature and extent of domestic violence in the United States. Theoretical perspectives used to explain intimate violence are examined as well as the social factors that are related to patterns of intimate and family abuse. The course discusses domestic violence from a historical and global perspecctive and is designed to provide students with a greater understanding of the impact of domestic abuse on victims/survivors and society as a whole. Topics including child and elder abuse; the criminal justice system's response to domestic abuse; intervention, well as related crimes such as sexual assault and intrafamilial homicides. Prerequisite: CJ 101 or permission of instructor. Open only to juniors and seniors. Course is offered every other year. 3 credit hours.
CJ 442. Introduction to Computer Forensics. 4 Credits.
This course provides the student with an ability to perform basic forensic techniques and use appropriate media analysis software. Knowledge of the security, structure and protocols of network operating systems and devices will be covered as students learn to gather evidence in a networked environment and to image and restore evidence properly without destroying its value. The student will learn and practice gaining evidence from a computer system while maintaining its integrity and a solid chain of custody. Within the laboratory, the student will gain hands-on experience in the use of current investigative tools. Classroom 3 hours, laboratory 2 hours. Prerequisites IS 228 and CJ 341. Offered in spring semesters.