Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Slippery Rock University

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Contact Info
ChairSecretaryLocationDepartment Phone
Dr. David ChampionKathleen Dombeck211 Spotts World Culture Building724-738-2084

Department Web Site URL
Department Fact Sheet URL

Faculty

David Champion
Professor
Criminology & Criminal Justice
Ph.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
M.A., Ball State University
B.A., State University of New York at Buffalo

Kerry Edwards
Associate Professor
Criminology & Criminal Justice
Ph.D., University of New Mexico
M.A., University of New Mexico
B.A., University of New Mexico

Sarah Kuehn
Associate Professor
Criminology & Criminal Justice
Ph.D., Simon Fraser University
M.A., Simon Fraser University

Rebecca Ridener
Associate Professor
Criminology & Criminal Justice
Ph.D., University of Cincinnati
M.S., University of Cincinnati
B.A., Emory University

Jeffrey Roth
Assistant Professor
Criminology & Criminal Justice
Ph.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
M.S., Tiffin University
B.A., Patrick Henry College

Youngyol Schanz
Professor
Criminology & Criminal Justice
Ph.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania
M.A., Wichita State University
B.S., Dankook University (Korea)

Courses

CRIM 105 -  Human Diversity  

An orientation to living and working with diverse populations within modern American society, including examination of the strengths and stresses associated with diversities.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Thematic Thread(s): Cultural Literacy & Community Building, Conservation, Technology & Imagination, Human Diversity & Well-Being, Institutions & Human Innovations, Transfer Thread Completion Course

CRIM 110 -  Introduction to Criminology & Criminal Justice Systems  

This course covers the basic principles of the criminal justice system and criminological theory. Students will be introduced to policing, corrections, the criminal court process, legal procedures, and criminological theories, among other fundamentals of the criminology discipline.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Thematic Thread(s): Citizenship & Social Problems, Cultural Literacy & Community Building, Transfer Thread Completion Course

CRIM 115 -  Proseminar  

This is a writing intensive course that prepares criminology/criminal justice students for standard academic and professional expectations for the field. This class encompasses writing requirements and style for criminal justice and basic library research skills.

Credits: 1

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Spring Terms

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Criminology & Criminal Justice or Criminology.

CRIM 139 -  Foundations of Academic Discovery  

Foundations of Academic Discovery serves as the entry point to the Rock Integrated Studies Program. With its strong faculty-student interaction, the course promotes intellectual inquiry, critical and creative thinking, and academic excellence. Through varied content, the course introduces students to academic discourse and information literacy while exploring topics such as diversity and inclusion and global awareness. This course will set students along the path to becoming engaged with issues and scholarship important to a 21st century education while they learn about themselves and their place in the world.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall Terms

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Freshman 1 or Freshman 2.
Enrollment limited to students with the ROCK STUDIES 2 STUDENT or ROCK STUDIES STUDENT attributes.

CRIM 170 -  Crime: Why Do We Do It?  

This course examines different theoretical explanations of criminal behavior and how to test them using social science research methods. Further, the course explores how to translate these theories into public policy and draws attention to the interdisciplinary nature of the field of criminology.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Enrollment limited to students with the ROCK STUDIES 2 STUDENT or ROCK STUDIES STUDENT attributes.

CRIM 190 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CRIM 195 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CRIM 198 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CRIM 253 -  American Policing  

This course covers the introductory elements of US policing and law enforcement. Topics of study include operations, legal aspects, ethics, diversity and other key issues.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

CRIM 263 -  Introduction to Criminal Procedure  

This course covers the processes of criminal procedure. It includes landmark legal cases, search and seizure requirements, use of force, arrest, interrogation and court structures.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

CRIM 273 -  American Corrections  

Examines the legally sanctioned methods of dealing with lawbreakers. The correctional methods studied will include institutional and community corrections, and the newer dispositions such as community service, restitution, and electronic monitoring. Current issues examined will include prison gangs, the problem of AIDS, women in prison, and prison privatization.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Criminology & Criminal Justice or Criminology.

CRIM 290 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CRIM 295 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CRIM 298 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CRIM 301 -  Theoretical Criminology  

A critical review of pure and applied theory within the field of criminology, including coverage of classical, biological, psychological, sociological, economic, political, and integrated theories of the causes of crime.

Prerequisite: CRIM 110D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with department of Criminology & Criminal Justice.

CRIM 302 -  Sexual Violence  

This course will explore multiple aspects of sexual violence including typologies and legal classifications of sex crimes, the motivations of offenders, victimology/trauma, studies of convicted rapists, social/cultural/media effects and context, and the criminal investigation of sex offenses.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Thematic Thread(s): Human Diversity & Well-Being, Transfer Thread Completion Course, United Stated in Global Context

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Junior 1, Junior 2, Senior 1 or Senior 2.

CRIM 317 -  Statistical Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice  

This course is designed to introduce students to basic principles of probability theory, data analysis and data interpretation. Using SPSS, students will engage in basic data analysis, including descriptive and inferential statistics. More specifically, this course will cover univariate and bivariate measures, analyses of cross classified data, correlation, t-tests, analysis of variance, regression and related measures. Emphasis will be placed on how to use, interpret and understand some of the basic techniques used by criminal justice researchers and practitioners.

Prerequisite: CRIM 110D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with department of Criminology & Criminal Justice.

CRIM 318 -  Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice  

This course is an introduction to criminological research that is intended to develop the student's research and analytical skills. Specifically, the course will focus on the theory of inquiry, research design, data gathering methods (surveys, secondary data and unobtrusive methods, field observation), evaluation research analysis, sampling and research reporting. Students will also learn how to use library resources as well as electronic resources.

Prerequisite: CRIM 110D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Criminology & Criminal Justice.

CRIM 321 -  Criminal Justice interventions 1  

A review of basic theories, philosophies, methods, and skills that underlie successful community and correctional-based interventions with individuals serviced by the federal, state, and/or local criminal justice systems. Coverage will include the overrepresentation of minorities within the American correctional system and service provision to culturally diverse populations.

Prerequisites: CRIM 110D and CRIM 273D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Criminology & Criminal Justice.

CRIM 322 -  Criminal Justice Interventions 2  

A review of basic theories, philosophies, methods, and skills that underlie successful community and correctional-based interventions with an emphasis on groups and families serviced by the federal, state, and/or local criminal justice systems. Topic coverage also includes examining the overrepresentation of minorities under correctional supervision and service provision to culturally diverse populations.

Prerequisites: CRIM 110D and CRIM 273D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 326 -  Victimology  

This course will present the student with a detailed understanding of the scope of victimology and the extent of criminal victimization by examining specific crimes types, the impact of crime on victims and society, the role of victims within the criminal justice system, specific remedies, and victim rights and services.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Thematic Thread(s): Citizenship & Social Problems, Cultural Literacy & Community Building, Human Diversity & Well-Being, Transfer Thread Completion Course

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 327 -  Criminal Justice and the Multicultural Community  

This course will examine current issues and social problems relating to the administration of justice in a culturally diverse society.  The focus of the course will be on the changing ethnicity of communities and related changes in social and institutional public policy.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Thematic Thread(s): Citizenship & Social Problems, Cultural Literacy & Community Building, Transfer Thread Completion Course, United Stated in Global Context

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 328 -  Transnational Crime & Justice  

This course focuses on the historical development and current status of various forms of transnational crime from the perspective of the international criminal justice community. This course explores the roots and operations of organized crime and how globalization has facilitated the emergence of transnational organized crime in the U.S. and in various regions throughout the world. Particular emphasis is given to issues of drug trafficking, illegal arms trade, money laundering, human trafficking and sex trafficking. This course also examines the current strategies for the containment and control of such activities.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Thematic Thread(s): Citizenship & Social Problems, Transfer Thread Completion Course, United Stated in Global Context

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 333 -  Crime, Justice and Society  

An exploration of the major theories of crime with an emphasis of those contemporary theories that explore the relationship of race, gender, and crime. Topics may include prostitution, rape, hate crimes, and crimes against the gay community.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Thematic Thread(s): Citizenship & Social Problems, Institutions & Human Innovations, Transfer Thread Completion Course

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 343 -  Criminal Investigations  

This course provides an introduction to criminal evidence and investigations.  The topics include how evidence is collected and developed, the different types of evidence, the role of evidence in investigation, and basic investigative principles.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 345 -  Juvenile Delinquency  

The behaviors of adolescents in modern societies have resulted in the need for society to exert various methods of social control. The reasons for these formal and informal control strategies are examined from a sociological view of institutional changes.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Thematic Thread(s): Citizenship & Social Problems, Transfer Thread Completion Course

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 360 -  Police and Society  

This class examines the role of law enforcement and policing in contemporary society.This course also covers the history of policing, policing theory, police culture, different law enforcement agencies, and the social role of modern police agencies.

Prerequisite: CRIM 110D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment is limited to students with a program in Criminology & Criminal Justice or Criminology.

CRIM 368 -  Comparative Criminal Justice Abroad  

This course examines similarities and differences between the United States’ criminal justice system and another country’s criminal justice system. The course requires a travel abroad activity that will include experiential learning regarding criminal justice components, such as police, courts, and corrections programs.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Enrollment limited to students with a semester level of Junior 1, Junior 2, Senior 1, Senior 2 or Sophomore 2.

CRIM 370 -  Inside Out Views of Criminal Justice Issues  

This course creates a partnership between institutions of higher learning and correctional systems in order to deepen the conversation about criminal justice issues and transform our approaches to understanding crime, society's response to it, justice, inequality, and other issues of social concerns. This semester-long class brings together college students and incarcerated men or women to study as peers behind prison walls.

Prerequisite: CRIM 110D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with department of Criminology & Criminal Justice.

CRIM 380 -  Women & the Criminal Justice System  

This course will focus on theoretical and contemporary issues involving female practitioners, victims and offenders in the criminal justice system.Students will have the opportunity to become acquainted with and evaluate the political, legal and social issues of crime relating to women.  This course will also examine diversity issues. More specifically, this course will examine how gender, race/ethnicity and class are related to the way they are treated in the criminal justice system in the U.S.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Thematic Thread(s): Citizenship & Social Problems, Human Diversity & Well-Being, Transfer Thread Completion Course

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 390 -  Experimental  

A unique and specifically focused course within the general purview of a department which intends to offer it on a "one time only" basis and not as a permanent part of the department's curriculum.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 395 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 398 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Prerequisite: CRIM 110D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 402 -  Forensic Behavior:Crime and the Individual  

This course explores aspects of mental illness, cognitions, psychopathology, mental disorders and other psychological aspects of criminal behavior and their relation to theories of crime. This is a cross-listed course that will fulfill either graduate or undergraduate credit.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2, Sophomore 1 or Sophomore 2 may not enroll.

CRIM 404 -  Applied Criminal Procedures  

This course addresses the history, legalities, trends and controversies in law adjudication as it pertains to issues of crime and justice.  Students will examine the topics of criminal law, landmark cases, prosecution, defense, court procedures and decision-making and their interaction with our society.

Prerequisite: CRIM 110D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 405 -  White Collar Crime  

This course explores the complex issues surrounding white collar crime. In terms of white collar crime, the topics addressed may include: the complexities of defining it, theoretical explanations for it, the economical, physical and social costs that result from these types of crimes, and the issues the criminal justice system faces in trying to control it.

Prerequisite: CRIM 110D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 408 -  Capstone: Ethics and Criminal Justice  

This course examines the traditional schools of ethical thought and how they are applicable to the field of criminology, crime, and justice. Students will study formal works in ethics and morality and develop understanding of their role in the criminal justice professions as well as issues of crime, law, and society. This course is designed as a writing intensive course.

Prerequisite: CRIM 115D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Fall & Spring Terms

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2, Junior 1, Junior 2, Sophomore 1 or Sophomore 2 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with department of Criminology & Criminal Justice.

CRIM 414 -  Criminal Justice Policy  

This course explores the contemporary criminal justice system, major systems of social control and their policies and practices; as well as policies related to courts, victimology, juvenile justice and comparative criminal justice. These policies will be studied through the lenses of individual liberties, collective formalized controls, multicultural factors and issues related to race, gender and diversity.

Prerequisite: CRIM 110D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.
Enrollment limited to students with department of Criminology & Criminal Justice.

CRIM 416 -  Community Corrections  

The course explores the origins of community corrections and its role in the American criminal justice system. Starting with pre-arrest diversion, the course covers the major issues and topics associated with community correction programs. Students are required to complete a service learning component.

Prerequisites: CRIM 110D and CRIM 273D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 422 -  The Death Penalty  

An examination of the problems and issues related to the death penalty in the United States, including the history of capital punishment, important Supreme court decisions, how the various jurisdictions deal with capital cases, the comparative costs of incarceration and executions, miscarriages of justices in capital cases, the impact of minority status and how the criminal justice responds to these issues.

Prerequisite: CRIM 110D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2, Sophomore 1 or Sophomore 2 may not enroll.

CRIM 450 -  Internship  

Supervised placement in selected professional agencies.

Credits: 1-12

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered Every Term

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 468 -  Crime & Media  

This course will examine images of crime and criminal justice as portrayed and presented by the mass media including popular media (fictional television show, music, novels, etc.) as well as "news" programming and print media. More specifically, the course will analyze how crime and criminals, and criminal justice systems (police, courts and corrections) are portrayed by the mass media. This course will analyze the media's relationship to criminological theories as well as to criminal justice policies and practices. This course will also examine how gender, race and class are related to the way crime is depicted in the mass media.

Credits: 3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offerings Vary

Thematic Thread(s): Citizenship & Social Problems, Transfer Thread Completion Course

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 490 -  Independent Study  

Independent research under the guidance of a faculty member. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor, departmental chairperson, and dean of the college where the study will be conducted. (repeatable up to 6 credits) Independent Study courses give students the opportunity to pursue research and/or studies that are not part of the university's traditional course offerings. Students work one on one or in small groups with faculty guidance and are typically required to submit a final paper or project as determined by the supervising professor.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.

CRIM 495 -  Workshop  

A workshop is a program which is usually of short duration, narrow in scope, often non-traditional in content and format, and on a timely topic.

Credits: 1-6

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

CRIM 498 -  Selected Topics  

A Selected Topics course is a normal, departmental offering which is directly related to the discipline, but because of its specialized nature, may not be able to be offered on a yearly basis by the department.

Prerequisite: CRIM 110D
D Requires minimum grade of D.

Credits: 1-3

Term(s) Typically Offered: Offered as Needed

Students with a semester level of Freshman 1, Freshman 2 or Sophomore 1 may not enroll.