Bachelor of Art in Criminal Justice Studies

Criminal Justice Studies

The Department of Sociology houses two majors: Sociology and Criminal Justice Studies. The Department of Sociology is also attached to the Legal Studies minor, which is under the direction of the Department of Political Science.

At Thiel, our criminal justice studies program has a special focus: juvenile and family justice. Our program emphasizes issues of juvenile delinquency and family members in abusive relationships, reducing recidivism or repeat offenses and bringing troubled families to normalcy. Graduates from our program work in courts, specialized treatment programs, public and private agencies such as juvenile probation, child and protective services, and others dedicated to principles of behavior reform. Our approach is fundamentally different from programs in criminal justice that emphasize crime and punishment, police science and the administration of justice.

Our program is framed by Thiel-s commitment to the liberal arts, signifying the importance of supporting the development of humane and altruistic perspectives of students in all fields of thought and work.

The major is interdisciplinary, concentrating on sociology as a way to gain basic understanding of issues involved in juvenile delinquency and domestic violence. The major requires and encourages study in a variety of related and supportive fields including sociology, political science, psychology, religion and philosophy.

A student who graduates from Thiel College with a major in criminal justice studies will :· understand and be able to apply the major theoretical paradigms of Criminal Justice.
· understand and be able to apply the principles of social science research methodology.
· understand the complexity and interaction of social marginality in United States culture in terms of deviance, criminality, corrections, race/ethnicity, sex/ gender and social class.
· understand and be able to assess the criminal justice system in the United States.
· understand the role and application of law in United States society.
· understand critical issues in United States society: restorative justice, juvenile law, domestic violence, deviance and crime.
· understand the diversity of criminal acts and the variety of criminal justice systems in a global context.

CJS 101 : Introduction to Criminal Justice Studies (3 CH)
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. Offered annually.

CJS 221 : Corrections in America (3 CH)
Corrections in America will provide the student with both the rudimentary understanding of the history of corrections and more importantly the evolution of punishment in America. Along with these two underlying goals, the student will also be offered numerous topics regarding various correctional issues and how they directly affect the larger social fabric of society.
Offered annually.

CJS 301 : Juvenile Justice System (3 CH)
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. (P: Two of the following courses: SOC 121, SOC 141, CJS 101 and one upper-level SOC or CJS course numbered 261 or higher, or permission of the instructor.) (WIC)

CJS 303 : Family Justice Issues (3 CH)
This course will provide students with an in-depth study of the problems of violence in families including spouse abuse, child abuse, elder abuse and the dynamics and dangers of violent relationships. It will examine the root causes of family violence and the multigenerational effects of violence on its victims and society. Students will study current societal responses to family violence including protection services, treatment programs, legal defense strategies and current legislation. (P: Two of the following courses: SOC 121, 141, CJS 101 and one upper level SOC or CJS course - SOC 261 or higher, or permission from
instructor.) (WIC)

CJS 371 : Professional Seminar (1 CH)
This seminar is required of all sociology 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.
(P: Junior or senior sociology or CJS majors or permission of instructor.)

CJS 431 :/SOC 431 Selected Studies (3 CH)
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)

CJS 438 : Criminal Due Process Rights (3 CH)
This class provides an examination of the procedures utilized in the criminal justice system as they relate to criminal law and the administration of justice. Specifically, this course will examine how the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth and 14th Amendments to the Constitution impact individual rights and the police powers of the State. Offered every other spring beginning 2009. (P: POSC 116 of CJS 101 or permission of the instructor.)

CJS 451 : Sociology Internship (1-6 CH)
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 criminal justice studies majors only, juniors or seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in sociology, with permission of the sponsoring faculty member.)

CJS 455 : Cooperative Education (CH Variable) (1-12 CH)
These credits do not count toward major requirements.

CJS 481 : Special Projects (1-6 CH)
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: Sociology or criminal
justice studies majors, juniors or seniors, and permission of the instructor.)

CJS 491 : Independent Study (1-6 CH)
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 criminal justice studies majors who have completed at least three upper level courses in sociology and whose GPA in all sociology courses is at least 3.25. *Students planning to enroll in SOC/CJS 451, SOC/CJS 481 or SOC/CJS 491 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.

CJS 496 : Thiel College-s Semester in Washington (8 CH)
An internship and seminar program in Washington, D.C. for juniors and seniors. Thiel-s Semester in
Washington, conducted through the Lutheran College Washington Consortium is designed to accommodate the interests of students with a wide variety of interests and goals. These include not only politics, policy and law, but also religion, social work, international affairs, theater, museum administration and business. (P: Junior or senior standing, 3.0 GPA, and recommendation by sponsoring faculty.)

CJS 497 : Seminar I (4 CH)

CJS 498 : Seminar II (4 CH)
Two four-credit seminars are required of all students participating in the Thiel College semester in Washington. Specific arrangements are made according to each student-s major interests, subject to approval by supervising professors at Thiel College and supervisors at the Washington, D.C. site.

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)