Criminology Criminal Justice

Study of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, the courts, and correctional methods; origins, ideologies, and consequences of various systems, both historically and cross-culturally, with emphasis on contemporary American criminal justice.

Issues of law enforcement agencies at local, state, and federal levels; interrelations with other criminal justice agencies and community groups, such as the media and neighborhood watch groups; problem areas, such as (perceived) police intrusion, corruption, and excessive force.

Methods of step-by-step inquiry in search of evidence to establish facts connected with crimes, their commission, and the perpetrators; methods of criminalistics to examine and evaluate physical crime evidence; the role of law in these processes.

Study of the structures, courtroom work groups; lower criminal courts, trial courts, and appellate courts; judges, prosecutors, and defense counsel; prosecution, adjudication, and sentencing.

Philosophies, theories, and practices in the post-conviction stage of criminal justice; institutionalization and its alternatives, such as parole, community service, probation, and restorative justice.

This course examines community-based corrections as an essential component of the criminal justice system, focusing on alternatives to incarceration and strategies that support offender reentry and community safety. Topics include probation, parole, diversion, specialty courts, and evidence-based practices in supervision. Students explore how community corrections professionals assess risk and need, design supervision plans, and engage clients in change-oriented programming. Through applied exercises, case studies, and policy analysis, students gain practical insight into managing justice-involved individuals in community settings while balancing accountability, rehabilitation, and reintegration.

Juvenile delinquency is a unique kind of crime, different from ordinary adult crime in etiology, motive, prevention, justice system, and treatment. This course examines the theoretical perspectives in analysis and explanation of delinquency. This course also covers the history of the juvenile justice system, how juveniles become involved in the juvenile justice system, the role of police, probation, DA, judges, schools and the community in the juvenile justice system.

This course introduces students to the principles of prevention science and their application within youth justice and community contexts. Students explore how evidence-based prevention and early intervention strategies reduce risk factors and strengthen protective factors among youth, families, and communities. Emphasis is placed on program design, family and community engagement, and interagency collaboration. Through applied exercises, case studies, and evaluation of real-world initiatives, students learn to connect research, policy, and practice to improve youth outcomes.

This course explores theories of ethics and justice in their application to criminal justice professional practice. It takes a sociological approach by exploring choices and issues faced by professionals in case studies drawn from the criminal justice system, relating these to major theories of ethics and justice, social structure, and social interaction. Review of selected research will be used to demonstrate the undesirable outcomes associated with ethical lapses. Students will practice applying theoretical methods to the resolution of moral dilemmas and ethical issues at all levels-from criminal justice policy making to enforcement and corrections. The course will review codes of ethics that establish standards of behavior expected in various fields of criminal justice. Students will come to understand what constitutes a clear and consistent ethical decision as they are encouraged to compare formal ethical systems to their own personal beliefs and to relate both of these to choices they might someday face in the criminal justice professions.

This course is an introduction to the field of environmental sociology, the study of the interaction between human societies, social behavior and the natural environment. Focusing on modern societies, we examine social and cultural factors that 1) affect the overall societal-environmental relationship and, 2) affect environmental problems and collective efforts to respond to them. Social factors include social-structural elements such as the economy, crime, government and communities as well as patterns of social inequality. Cultural factors include prevailing and competing beliefs about the natural environment and values as manifested in lifestyle, aesthetics and civic participation. Social movements addressing these factors will also be examined.

This course offers a survey and critical evaluation of criminological theories and criminological research. An emphasis on the evaluation of the theories and research methods as they apply to select types of crimes. Implications for research and the treatment and control of crime are addressed.

An introductory study of a specific topic in Criminal Justice. Intended for freshmen and sophomores, or for students with little or no background in the subject. The student may repeat the course, but not the same topic.

Comparative study of criminal law with emphasis on the United States Constitution, highlighting first, fourth, fifth, and sixth amendments; prosecution and defense in crimes against persons, property, and public order; application of New York state penal law and definitions.

This course involves the study of issues related to crime victimization. An overview of the historical and emerging role of victimology as a field of study provides the foundation necessary to examine patterns of victimization. A survey of theories of victimization emphasizes how the recognition of victims in the study of crime influences criminological theory and research. Issues particular to types of offenses and to specific populations of victims are examined and discussed. Myths surrounding crime victims and victimization are critically evaluated for their accuracy and explanatory value. The relationship between the crime victim and the criminal justice system is also examined. Implications for research and policy are explored.

This course examines the conceptualization, operational definitions and typologies of white collar and corporate crime. Methods of studying these crimes are evaluated. A survey of theories and a review of research findings and case studies serves to identify the impacts of these crimes on both the individual and society. They also highlight the individual, organizational, and contextual variables related to offending. This course provides an introduction to the various social, political, and legal controls on white collar and corporate offending, and policy implications for responding to and controlling these crimes.

This course will prepare students with foundational knowledge and practical skills in deescalation and crisis intervention tactics essential for policing roles. They will work recognize, analyze and explain the use of theoretical frameworks and best practices that support timely deescalation and crisis intervention strategies necessary to stabilize individual and organizational responses. They will blend real-world case studies and hands on simulations to identify core elements of a crisis- such as emotional intensity, perceived threats and loss of rational control, impaired decision-making . They will explore and categorize crisis and deescalation situations to develop response strategies and demonstrate active listening with logical decision-making skills. Students will distinguish between multiple stakeholders to interpret and match the complex approaches to accommodate proactive prevention methods, which includes problem-solving with accountability, mental health and trauma awareness attached to social and environmental wellbeing.

Issues facing law enforcement at local, state and federal levels involve the use of computers both to facilitate crime and as the target of crime. Cybercrime is a broad term; this course is meant to provide a brief history of the emergence and extent of cybercrime, responses by law enforcement, legislation, jurisdictional challenges and the social impact.  An overview of the operation of computers, cellular networks, and the Internet will be covered. Various types of cybercrimes, cyber-criminals, and methods involved will be examined.  This course will include case studies involving cybercrime to facilitate understanding and learning objectives for students.

This course combines forensics with police investigation, exploring how scientific principles and techniques are applied to collect, analyze, interpret and preserve evidence. Course objectives include understanding concepts and procedures to identify, interpret and gather crime scene evidence while emphasizing, observation, logical reasoning, critical thinking and the legal aspects of presenting admissible evidence in court. The course also includes a lab to participate and practice the proper procedures for securing, processing, and collecting evidence with staged activities and case studies.

Initial educational experience in criminology and criminal justice agency setting to learn basic operations and participate in agency activities. Involves final group discussion and written analytical report.

An intermediate study of a specific topic in criminal justice. Intended for sophomores and junior students. The student may repeat the course, but not the same topic.

An in-depth, self-directed study for Junior- or Senior- level students under the guidance of a sponsoring faculty member on a planned topic that is not covered by an existing Keuka College course.

This course will engage students in a critical examination of the current trends in criminal justice as well as the organizational conditions that create new challenges and requisite skills for criminal justice leaders. In addition to skill development in the areas of goal setting, problem solving, and communication, this course will include assessment of personal leadership style, decision-making, and capacity to act as a change-agent for the criminal justice organization. The ability to lead others will be a central theme of the course.

Criminal justice leadership helps criminal justice professionals balance legal and ethical considerations in decision-making. This course is designed to enable students to use various decision-making models and techniques for more effective decisions making in criminal justice. Students will be exposed to Statistical Analysis, Preferential Analysis, Decision Trees, as well as other decision- making models used in criminal justice administration. Emphasis will be placed on group and team decision-making.

This course prepares students to apply trauma-informed principles in their direct work with youth impacted by the justice system. Students will learn how trauma shapes behavior, emotion regulation, and engagement with authority, and how system responses can either retraumatize or support recovery. Emphasis is placed on recognizing trauma reactions, building trusting relationships, de-escalating conflict, and promoting resilience in youth involved with law enforcement, courts, detention, or community supervision. Through case studies, interactive activities, and reflection, students will develop practical skills for creating safe, respectful, and empowering environments. The course will also highlight the importance of collaboration across systems (e.g., child welfare, mental health, and education) to provide holistic and healing-centered support.

Advanced educational experience in criminology and criminal justice agency setting to learn basic operations and participate in agency activities. Involves final group discussion and written analytical report.

An advanced study of a specific topic in Criminology. Intended for juniors and seniors or for students with an appropriate background in the subject. The student may repeat the course, but not the same topic.