Criminal Justice
Northwestern’s career concentration in criminal justice is designed to assist students in entering an area of expanding need. The need is for professionalization and better prepared personnel in law enforcement, probation, parole, community-based treatment, counseling, rehabilitation, corrections (prisons, reformatories, detention centers, correctional centers), and many other areas. This career concentration is also good preparation for graduate school, providing a knowledge and understanding of theory, social organization, methods and techniques. An internship of one semester assists in practical application.
Related job titles include various types of law enforcement officers (sheriff, police, etc.), criminal investigator, state patrol (trooper), criminal analyst, security officer, FBI or IRS agent, community planner, correctional officer, counselor (alcoholism, career, drug abuse, juvenile/adult, handicapped), probation/parole officer, group home/half-way house staff member.
Government officials at all levels are paying more attention to crime and its related social problems. Employment prospects continue to grow, as indicated by the fact that colleges and universities continue to develop new criminal justice programs.
| Required courses: |
| PSC 225 - Introduction to Law |
| SOC 202 - Social Problems |
| SOC 218 - Deviance and Social Control |
| SOC 303 - The [ System |
| SOC 307 - Corrections |
| SOC 417 - Internship |
| Choose one course: 4 |
| PSC 220 - Politics and Public Policy |
| SOC 304 - Minority Groups |
| SOC 311 - Sociology of Organizations |
| Total credits required: 26 |
| Recommended courses: |
| Second year competency in Spanish 3-6 |
| KIN 237 - Substance Abuse |
| PSC 201 - State and Local Government |
| PSY 221 - Developmental Psychology: Childhood |
| PSY 224 - Developmental Psychology: Adolescence |
| PSY 225 - Developmental Psychology: Adulthood |
| PSY 360 - Psychopathology |
| SOC 101 - Principles of Sociology |
| SOC 214x - Social Psychology |
| SOC 340 - Sociological Research |
| SOC 351 - Ethnographic Research |
| SWK 140 - Introduction to Social Work |
This course presents a history of the social work profession and social work practice. It incorporates the major fields of social work and the concepts and theories needed to understand the social, cultural, political, ethical and religious context that provides the ecological framework of social work practice, and it enables a thorough understanding of at-risk populations and of the problems which social work must address. Included are visits to agencies and guest lectures by social workers from the field. A central concern is the Christian's individual and collective responsibility for the health and welfare of fellow human beings.(4 credits)
This course examines the political relationships between the federal, state and local levels of U.S. government. Though we focus primarily on state and local governments and policy making, we also seek to determine which level of government is best suited to address the different social and economic problems. The role of the Christian in politics is also explored. (2 credits) (American politics)
A general examination of domestic and foreign policies of the United States. Education, health care, civil rights and economic policy are among the various polices explored. Particular attention is given to the differences between Christian liberal and Christian conservative policy perspectives of problems such as crime, discrimination, poverty, degradation of the environment and others. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department) (American politics)
This course briefly surveys the landscape of the American legal system. Most of the course, however, is devoted to examining significant constitutional issues, such as government powers, civil rights and civil liberties. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department) (American politics)
The study of the physical and mental development of the child from the prenatal period into adolescence. The course includes the study of physical, cognitive, moral, social and personality development of childhood and adolescence.(4 credits)
Adolescents experience many changes in a few short years as they transition from childhood to adulthood. This course explores the major psychological issues and theories in adolescent development with emphasis on cognitive development, self-concept, peer relationships and sexuality, among others.(4 credits)
This course explores psychological issues and theories in normal adult development, with emphasis on cognitive, social and personality functioning from young adulthood to old age.(4 credits)
A study of the disordered personality including theories of causation, diagnosis and characteristics of disorders. The system found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV of the American Psychiatric Association will be followed. Prerequisite: 4 credits of psychology courses. (4 credits)
An introduction to sociology, its major concepts, tools and perspectives. This course provides an understanding of societies, of culture, of major social institutions such as the family, religion, and education, of social inequality, and of social change.(4 credits)
A discussion of myths and facts leading toward an understanding of many social problems, such as sexual deviance, drugs and alcohol, health care and illness (physical and mental), crime and delinquency, violence, wealth and poverty, inequality of opportunity, work, aging, sex inequality, racial minorities and discrimination, education, family problems, war, pollution, ecology and population. Emphasis is placed upon difficulties in defining, critiquing and proposing meaningful solutions.(4 credits)
This course involves the study of the way individuals think about, influence and relate to one another. Topics include: attitude change, social thinking, conformity, obedience, persuasion, prejudice, aggression, altruism, roles, norms and environmental influences on social behavior. The major aim of the course is to encourage an appreciation of the relationship between personal and situational determinants of social behavior.Prerequisite: PSY111, 221, or SOC101.(4 credits)
This class focuses on a sociological understanding of deviance. We will explore how both culture and structure may shape the prevalence, definition and reaction to deviance. Various theoretical perspectives will be examined and discussed to see how deviance may be both understood and even perhaps predicted. Finally, a number of more "concrete" areas will be examined, to both see how the theory holds up in real life, and to deepen the understanding of deviance and attempts at social control of deviance. (4 credits)
A study of the development of, issues in, and new directions for, the American criminal justice system. Each step of the system is critiqued in terms of intended and unintended consequences as well as official and operative goals, and is related to a detailed discussion of various correctional treatment programs: prisons, halfway houses, group homes, community-based treatment programs, probation, parole and others. Those in the criminal justice career concentration should take SOC218 first. Prerequisite: recommend general education writing requirement. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department)
A study of racial and cultural minority groups in the United States and other societies emphasizing value systems, power relationships, forms of social organization, and cultural contributions. This course helps students develop an understanding of, appreciation for, and capacity to relate effectively with minority groups. Appreciation for heterogeneity is stressed. In-depth treatment of Hispanics and Hispanic culture in the United States. Prerequisite: recommend general education writing requirement. (4 credits)
Evolution of and debates concerning community and non-community based correctional programs, relationships between correcting, reforming, rehabilitating, and punishing, tensions between protection of public safety and rights of the accused, evaluation of incarceration, probation, parole, diversion, alternate and restorative justice programs, issues in "proactive" and "reactive" debate. Prerequisites: SOC218 and 303. Recommend general education writing requirement. (4 credits, alternate years, consult department)
A comprehensive introduction to sociological research methods with emphasis on survey research. An opportunity for sociology majors or others to apply this methodology in the conduct of major research in an area determined in consultation with the instructor. Finished research reports will be considered for presentation at various sociological association meetings. Prerequisites: SOC101 or equivalent. Recommend general education writing requirement, (4 credits, alternate years, consult department)
An overview of ethnographic methods, goals, and the theoretical assumptions underlying them. Ethnography, the description and analysis of human life or culture, is based on qualitative fieldwork. The goal is to understand the "native's'' point of view, to learn from people rather than study them. Students will have an opportunity to practice fieldwork methods and write a brief ethnography. Prerequisite: recommend general education writing requirement. (4 credits)
The study of the history, composition and use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco, including their reactions relative to therapeutic values, their known and potentially injurious effects on the human body, and methods for prevention, intervention and rehabilitation of those who would use, or have used, these substances. Prerequisite: KIN101. (2 credits; alternate years, consult department)
(4 credits may apply toward the major)
