Degrees Requirements for Major Core Courses for All Majors Minor Criminology Courses |
CriminologyTaylor 211
541-552-6308
Lore Rutz-Burri, Chair The Department of Criminology’s three major objectives are to: - prepare students for successful service in the criminal justice system at local, state, and federal levels;
- provide general educational experiences for all students with an interest in the criminal justice system; and
- serve as a critic of and catalyst for the decision-making bodies in the criminal justice system by engaging in research and professional consulting activities.
Back to top of page.DegreesBA or BS in Criminology
BA or BS in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Criminology (see page 152)
MinorCriminology Back to top of page.Requirements for Major- Fulfill baccalaureate degree requirements as stated beginning on page 15.
- Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA in major field.
- No grade lower than C- (70%) in track/option courses.
- No more than one grade lower than C- (70%) in upper division required criminology coursework.
- Complete at least 60 credits in criminology courses, 44 of which must be upper division.
Back to top of page.Core Courses for All MajorsLower Division
(16 credits)
| Introduction to Criminology (Crim 231) | 4 | | Introduction to Policing (Crim 241) | 4 | | Introduction to Criminal Law (Crim 251) | 4 | | Criminal Investigation (Crim 261) | 4 |
Upper Division
(32 credits)
| Juvenile Delinquency (Crim 361) | 4 | | Seminar (Crim 407) | 4 | | Practicum/Capstone (Crim 409) | 4 | | Criminal Law (Crim 411) | 4 | | Theories of Criminal Behavior (Crim 420) | 4 | | Crime Control Theory (Crim 430) | 4 | | Criminal Justice Leadership (Crim 451) | 4 | | Comparative Criminal Justice (Crim 460) | 4 |
Police Option
(12 credits)
| Criminal Procedure (Crim 413) | 4 | | Community Policing (Crim 416) | 4 | | Police Problems and Issues (Crim 417) | 4 |
Corrections Option
(12 credits)
| Probation, Parole, and Community-Based | | | Corrections (Crim 301) | 4 | | Penology and Corrections (Crim 341) | 4 | | Correctional Law (Crim 414) | 4 |
Pre-Law Option
(12 credits)
| Criminal Evidence (Crim 412) | 4 | | Criminal Procedure (Crim 413) | 4 | | Correctional Law (Crim 414) | 4 |
Elective CoursesThe remaining credits necessary to meet the minimum number required for graduation may be selected from a list of recommended academic areas, depending on individual student interest. The student electing to work toward a BA degree typically includes work in a foreign language within this elective area. Students with career objectives in criminalistics should consider satisfying BS degree requirements for both criminology and a natural science. Social Science Degree Completion Program in CriminologyDesigned for students with an interest in policing, probation, parole, jails, prisons, and delinquency, this degree prepares students for immediate entry into the criminal justice field. Because most of the criminology courses are available online, this degree works well for professionals currently in the criminal justice field who have difficulty continuing their education because of location or work schedules. For more information, call the program coordinator at 541-552-6505. Back to top of page.Minor
(24 credits)
Lower Division| Introduction to Criminology (Crim 231) | 4 | | Introduction to Criminal Law (Crim 251) | 4 |
Upper DivisionComplete four of the following courses as advised: | Crim 301, 341, 361, 411, 412, 413, 414, 416, 417, 420, 430, 451, or 460 | 16 |
Back to top of page.Criminology CoursesSee Course Prerequisites PolicyLower Division Courses| Crim 230 American Criminal Justice System | | 4 credits | | Offers an introductory survey of the functional areas of criminal justice in the U.S. Covers law enforcement, criminal courts, sentencing, penal institutions, and community-based sanctions. Includes historical and contemporary perspectives on the components of the criminal justice system, as well as the legal and constitutional frameworks in which they operate. Approved for general education (Explorations). |
| Crim 231 Introduction to Criminology | | 4 credits | | Surveys the descriptive, empirical, and theoretical issues in the study of crime and delinquency. Considers the role of social, cultural, economic, political, psychological, chemical, biological, and ideological factors in treating behaviors as criminal as well as in causing criminal behavior. Exposes students to the major theoretical perspectives in the field, as well as to the critiques and uses of these perspectives in the prevention and response to crime. Approved for general education (Explorations). |
| Crim 241 Introduction to Policing | | 4 credits | | Examines the roles and public expectations of law enforcement and the police. Involves task analysis of municipal and county police and an extensive examination of police discretion. Covers minorities and women in policing; the education and training of police; the dangers of policing; the police and change; and a brief introduction to community policing and police issues. |
| Crim 251 Introduction to Criminal Law | | 4 credits | | Surveys the criminal justice process from arrest to exhaustion of post-conviction remedies. Introduces students to substantive criminal law topics, such as the elements of a crime, defenses to criminal liability, definitions of key crimes, search and seizure, confessions and interrogations, and pretrial and trial procedures. Familiarizes students with the jurisdiction, structure, and purpose of the federal courts and state courts. This course is a prerequisite for many upper division criminology classes. |
| Crim 261 Criminal Investigation | | 4 credits | | Provides a comprehensive study and examination of the principles, procedures, and methods used in criminal investigation. Covers sources of information, methods of data collection, interviewing, and the types and power of physical evidence. |
Upper Division Courses| Crim 301 Probation, Parole, and Community-Based Corrections | | 4 credits | | Focuses on the criminal justice and sociological aspects of the development and current practices of probation, parole, community-based corrections, and a variety of intermediate sanctions. Emphasizes community involvement in the treatment and control of individuals in the correctional process. Exposes students to such topics as probation, parole, restitution, community service, deferred prosecution, work release, halfway houses, group homes, and other strategies designed for community corrections. | | Prerequisite: The criminology lower division sequence (Crim 231, 241, 251, 261). |
| Crim 341 Penology and Corrections | | 4 credits | | Provides an in-depth examination of the social and historical foundations of the American correctional institution. Focuses on the structure and social processes of institutions of confinement in relation to problems of treatment and rehabilitation. Includes a systematic evaluation of recidivism, general and specific deterrence, rehabilitation, incapacitation, and retribution in relation to the American correctional system. Emphasizes philosophies of punishment, sentencing strategies, the prison community, alternatives to incarceration, and various reform efforts. Examines critical issues facing corrections. | | Prerequisite: The criminology lower division sequence. |
| Crim 346 Computer Forensics and Electronic Evidence | | 4 credits | | Surveys the technologies, techniques, and responsibilities of a criminal or civil investigation involving computers, computer networks, network service providers, and electronic evidence. Explores various ways in which a computer or computer network can be associated with a crime. Examines computer and networking technologies. Explores rules of evidence and proof and emphasizes maintaining an evidentiary trail through computer data and network activity. | | Prerequisite: Completion of all lower division general education requirements. | | Approved for general education (Synthesis) | | Cross-listed with CS 346 |
| Crim 361 Juvenile Delinquency | | 4 credits | | Provides an analytical study of the statistics, trends, characteristics, and causes of juvenile delinquency. Discusses theories of all persuasions, including biological, psychological, and particularly sociological theories. Examines the relationships between the socialization process, family environment, social structure, and juvenile delinquency. Introduces the basic theories and topics in the study of juvenile delinquency and the juvenile justice system. Covers the theories of delinquency, social influences on delinquency, the history of the juvenile justice system, the juvenile justice process, and the focus on prevention models currently used in the United States. | | Prerequisite: The criminology lower division sequence (Crim 231, 241, 251, 261). |
| Crim 399 Special Studies | | Credit to be arranged |
| Crim 405 Reading and Conference | | Credit to be arranged |
| Crim 407/507 Seminar | | 4 credits | | Offers a critical analysis of selected criminal justice areas, with emphasis on individual research projects. | | Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing and instructor consent. |
| Crim 409 Practicum/Capstone | | Credit to be arranged (maximum 15 credits) | | Prerequisite: Criminology major, 120 credits of upper division coursework in practicum field, and instructor consent. |
| Crim 411 Criminal Law | | 4 credits | | Covers the nature, origins, and purposes of criminal law, constitutional limits on criminal law, the general principles of criminal liability, complicity and vicarious criminal liability, inchoate crimes, defenses to criminal liability (both justifications and excuses), and various crimes against person and property. | | Prerequisite: Crim 251. |
| Crim 412 Criminal Evidence | | 4 credits | | Offers an in-depth analysis of the controlling rules of evidence and proof applied in criminal cases. Major topics include relevancy, hearsay, impeachment, cross-examination, the Confrontation Clause, real and demonstrative evidence, privilege, scientific and expert testimony, authentication of evidence (laying the foundation), judicial notice, and legal presumptions. | | Prerequisite: Crim 251. |
| Crim 413 Criminal Procedure | | 4 credits | | Examines the balance between individual and societal rights; federal and Oregon constitutions and criminal procedures; searches, seizures, and the Fourth Amendment; stop-and-frisk; arrests; searches for evidence; interrogation and confessions; identification procedures; and remedies for constitutional violations. | | Prerequisite: Crim 251. |
| Crim 414 Correctional Law | | 4 credits | | Covers various sentencing methods used in the U.S., including indeterminate, determinate, and mandatory sentencing guidelines. Also addresses diversion; plea bargaining; probation and parole; competency to stand trial; insanity; the death penalty; and the structure and administration of probation, parole, and post-prior supervisor. | | Prerequisite: Crim 251. |
| Crim 416/516 Community Policing | | 4 credits | | Provides an in-depth study of the philosophies, programs, problems, and definitions that have recently been linked in the literature to the concept of community policing. Offers a critical, creative, and caring analysis of the recent major changes in U.S. policing. |
| Crim 417 Police Problems and Issues | | 4 credits | | Involves an in-depth study of the major issues of modern policing, including recruitment, selection, hiring, retention, training, education, women, change, limited resources, and the political economy of policing. |
| Crim 420 Theories of Criminal Behavior | | 4 credits | | Offers an advanced in-depth analysis of the major theories of crime and delinquency. Examines theories in historical context, with emphases on biological, psychological, sociological, and political frameworks. | | Prerequisite: Crim 231. |
| Crim 430/530 Crime Control Theory | | 4 credits | | Examines traditional and innovative practices of crime prevention and repression. Surveys programs designed to reduce criminal behavior and risk factors associated with criminal behavior in various institutions (e.g., schools, communities, and families). Involves further analysis of policies and practices linked to crime prevention and control, with an emphasis on program evaluation and measurement of success. |
| Crim 451/551 Criminal Justice Leadership | | 4 credits | | Analyzes the criminal justice process and its effects on practitioners, clients, and the public. Studies the resources, organization, and leadership, with emphasis on the influence leadership exerts on the effectiveness of the organization. Offers a complete study of the construct of bureaucracy and the major philosophical camps of leadership. |
| Crim 460 Comparative Criminal Justice | | 4 credits | | Examines the global crime scene and criminal justice systems of other nations. Reviews the major families of law and other nations’ approaches, philosophies, and methods of dealing with their national crime. Topics include cross-national crime data and comparisons; the structure, practices, and training of police, corrections, and courts and court personnel; and the roles of substantive and procedural law within the nation. |
|
