Criminal Justice and Criminology
The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Loyola University Chicago offers several academic programs. The department's undergraduate program leads to a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, which introduces students to all aspects of the nation's complex criminal justice system, while stressing individual growth and personal attention, a hallmark of the 450-year-old Jesuit tradition that inspires Loyola University Chicago.
Students may elect to pursue a minor course of study if they have a different major, but a strong interest in criminal justice and criminology. Students eager to accelerate their education and expand their career options also may choose to apply for the combined, five-year BS/MA program, leading to a Master of Arts (MA) in Criminal Justice and Criminology.
Classes for the undergraduate and graduate programs are held at Loyola's Lake Shore Campus. We look forward to considering your application for either undergraduate or graduate study at Loyola.
Undergraduate Policies and Procedures
Please see Undergraduate Policies and Procedures for academic policies that supersede those of academic units within the University.
Criminal Justice and Criminology (CJC)
CJC 101 Criminal Justice in a Global Context (3 Credit Hours)
This course introduces students to the study of the causes and control of crime from a global perspective. The course considers: the way crime and criminal justice reflects social, political, and cultural forces; the complex intersection between social inequalities and state responses to crime; and the diffusion of criminal justice reforms based on concepts of equality and
Interdisciplinary Option: Forensic Science, Psychology of Crime and Justice
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the structure and challenges of state responses to crime from global, historical, and interdisciplinary perspectives
Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the structure and challenges of state responses to crime from global, historical, and interdisciplinary perspectivesCJC 201 Theories of Criminal Behavior (3 Credit Hours)
This course will provide a detailed examination of past and present theories of criminal behavior, placing them in a socio-historical context and exploring their policy and practical implications.
Interdisciplinary Option: Psychology of Crime and Justice
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how the specific theories of criminal behavior can be compared and evaluated, how the theories evolved over time, and how they can be applied to criminal justice policy and practice
Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how the specific theories of criminal behavior can be compared and evaluated, how the theories evolved over time, and how they can be applied to criminal justice policy and practiceCJC 202 Criminal Courts (3 Credit Hours)
This course provides students with an overview of state and federal criminal courts and case processing, including the study of prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, jury decision-making, plea bargaining, and sentencing.
Interdisciplinary Option: Psychology of Crime and Justice, Sociolegal Studies
Students will be able to understand the functions of the state and federal criminal courts, the actors working in those courts and their respective roles, and the procedures for processing of criminal cases
Outcomes
Students will be able to understand the functions of the state and federal criminal courts, the actors working in those courts and their respective roles, and the procedures for processing of criminal casesCJC 203 Policing (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines the nature and purpose of policing in American society. Topical areas include the urban police function, contemporary U.S. police systems, principles of police organization and administration, basic operational methodology, and efforts to professionalize police agencies.
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of changing role of police in modern society and articulate the role and challenges faced by police as it relates to the overall operation and goals of the criminal justice system
Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of changing role of police in modern society and articulate the role and challenges faced by police as it relates to the overall operation and goals of the criminal justice systemCJC 204 Corrections (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines the history, functions, and processes of corrections. The primary focus is institutional corrections and its evolution based on philosophies of retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, and rehabilitation. The role and influence of community correctional practices and policy on institutional corrections are also covered.
Interdisciplinary Option: Psychology of Crime and Justice
Students will be able to identify and describe the role of institutional corrections in society and the criminal justice system and articulate the connection between theories regarding criminality and the purposes of incarceration that have historically guided and continue to guide American correctional practice historically and currently
Outcomes
Students will be able to identify and describe the role of institutional corrections in society and the criminal justice system and articulate the connection between theories regarding criminality and the purposes of incarceration that have historically guided and continue to guide American correctional practice historically and currentlyCJC 205 Research Methods (3 Credit Hours)
An introduction to the logic and basic concepts of social research, with an emphasis on both basic and applied research within criminal justice and criminology. The course provides a basic conceptual framework for designing, conducting, interpreting, and evaluating social research.
Interdisciplinary Option: Human Services, Urban Studies
Students will be able to demonstrate the capacity to effectively design, review and interpret research to answer questions within the field of criminal justice and other social science disciplines
Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate the capacity to effectively design, review and interpret research to answer questions within the field of criminal justice and other social science disciplinesCJC 206 Statistics (3 Credit Hours)
An introduction to the basic concepts and techniques of statistical analysis, with an emphasis on the study of delinquency, crime, and program evaluation within the criminal justice system.
Knowledge Area: Quantitative Knowledge
Interdisciplinary Option: Human Services
Course equivalencies: X-CRMJ206/SOWK391
Students will be able to effectively perform and interpret statistical analyses and identify the appropriate use of these statistics in the analysis of crime and criminal justice system performance
Outcomes
Students will be able to effectively perform and interpret statistical analyses and identify the appropriate use of these statistics in the analysis of crime and criminal justice system performanceCJC 302 Juvenile Justice System (3 Credit Hours)
This course will examine the history, theories, policies, and practices of the juvenile justice system. It will also include a discussion of diversion programs, child maltreatment, and gang behavior.
Interdisciplinary Option: Human Services, Psychology of Crime and Justice
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the structure and challenges facing the juvenile justice system as it responds to delinquency and abuse/neglect from an historical, interdisciplinary, and inter-agency relationship perspective, and how this differs from the adult (criminal) justice system
Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the structure and challenges facing the juvenile justice system as it responds to delinquency and abuse/neglect from an historical, interdisciplinary, and inter-agency relationship perspective, and how this differs from the adult (criminal) justice systemCJC 310 Contemporary Police Issues (3 Credit Hours)
This course provides an in-depth examination of specific contemporary issues in policing related to recruitment and training, education and retention, innovations in policing strategies, police policies and practices, professionalism and ethics.
Students will be able to identify and discuss the impact that current issues in policing have on police operations, effectiveness, and police-community relations
Outcomes
Students will be able to identify and discuss the impact that current issues in policing have on police operations, effectiveness, and police-community relationsCJC 312 Popular Culture and the Criminal Justice System (3 Credit Hours)
This course will examine the interrelationship among crime, the media, the criminal justice system, and other forms of popular culture. Topics include media representations of crime and criminal justice, social media, and the social construction of myths about crime and the criminal justice system.
Students will be able to (1) know the meaning of the social construction of deviance; (2) know and be critical of the manner in which crime and criminal justice are portrayed in the media, and their effect on public opinions and images of the latter; and (3) analyze and evaluate the effects of popular culture
Outcomes
Students will be able to (1) know the meaning of the social construction of deviance; (2) know and be critical of the manner in which crime and criminal justice are portrayed in the media, and their effect on public opinions and images of the latter; and (3) analyze and evaluate the effects of popular cultureCJC 322 Criminal Law (3 Credit Hours)
This course is an introduction to the principles underlying the definition, constitutionality, and application of criminal laws. It includes the analysis of court decisions regarding various state and federal crimes, and the rules of individual responsibility and accountability for those crimes.
Interdisciplinary Option: Psychology of Crime and Justice, Sociolegal Studies
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the constitutional limitations on the construction of statutory crimes, the elements of different crimes, and the principles governing individual responsibility and accountability for those crimes
Outcomes
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the constitutional limitations on the construction of statutory crimes, the elements of different crimes, and the principles governing individual responsibility and accountability for those crimesCJC 323 Criminal Procedure (3 Credit Hours)
This course provides an in-depth, sophisticated coverage of criminal procedures surrounding investigations, stops, searches and seizure, arrests, interrogations, and procedural remedies.
Interdisciplinary Option: Sociolegal Studies
Students will be able to identify and articulate the origin, interpretation and application of legal procedures as they relate to matters involving the police, and how these relate to the overall operation and effectiveness of the criminal justice system
Outcomes
Students will be able to identify and articulate the origin, interpretation and application of legal procedures as they relate to matters involving the police, and how these relate to the overall operation and effectiveness of the criminal justice systemCJC 338 Community-Based Corrections (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines the history, purpose, and functioning of probation and parole as well as other aspects of community-based supervision, including: pre-trial supervision, electronic monitoring, house arrest/home detention, day reporting centers, and other programs that provide both supervision and treatment of offenders in the community.
Students will be able to articulate the organizational structure of community corrections programs, the roles community corrections play in the criminal justice system, and the effectiveness and challenges facing community corrections agencies
Outcomes
Students will be able to articulate the organizational structure of community corrections programs, the roles community corrections play in the criminal justice system, and the effectiveness and challenges facing community corrections agenciesCJC 345 Social Justice and Crime (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines the social injustices in the criminal justice system's naming and sanctioning of harmful behaviors as crimes. Discussions will unpack the values, ethics, and ideologies underlying the current retributive system of sanctioning compared to social justice responses to crime.
Knowledge Area: Tier 2 Societal Knowledge
Interdisciplinary Option: Peace Studies, Psychology of Crime and Justice, Race and Ethnicity, Sociolegal Studies
Articulate the meaning of social justice; Discuss restorative and retributive justice
Outcomes
Articulate the meaning of social justice; Discuss restorative and retributive justiceCJC 346 Mental Illness and Crime (3 Credit Hours)
This course explores the relationship of mental illness to crime and violence. Topics include the nature, prevalence, and consequences of mental disorder, substance use, and violence among criminal offenders, violence risk assessment, and the institutional and other treatments for the mentally ill offender.
Interdisciplinary Option: Psychology of Crime and Justice
Students will know (1) the history and development of research on mental illness and crime, (2) the various mental disorders endemic in the criminal justice system and their relationship to crime and violence, (3) assessment measures of the risk for violence, and (4) management and treatment of mentally ill offender
Outcomes
Students will know (1) the history and development of research on mental illness and crime, (2) the various mental disorders endemic in the criminal justice system and their relationship to crime and violence, (3) assessment measures of the risk for violence, and (4) management and treatment of mentally ill offenderCJC 351 Organized Crime (3 Credit Hours)
This course offers an introduction to the study of organized crime in U.S. society. Emphasis is given to the history and development of traditional organized crime in Chicago. Emerging organized crime groups are also studied. In addition, this course offers an introduction to the concept of transnational organized crime.
Interdisciplinary Option: Italian American Studies, Italian Studies
Students will articulate the extent and nature of organized crime, how it relates to other forms of criminal behavior, and the effectiveness of the justice system's response to it
Outcomes
Students will articulate the extent and nature of organized crime, how it relates to other forms of criminal behavior, and the effectiveness of the justice system's response to itCJC 352 Gangs (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines the historical development of urban street gangs with a view toward understanding their structure, characteristics, purposes, and activities. Particular emphasis is given to the history and development of street gangs in Chicago.
Interdisciplinary Option: Urban Studies
Course equivalencies: CRMJ352/URB352
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the causes and history of street gangs, the methods used to control them, and their impact on society and the criminal justice system
Outcomes
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the causes and history of street gangs, the methods used to control them, and their impact on society and the criminal justice systemCJC 353 White Collar Crime (3 Credit Hours)
This is a study of non-traditional crime engaged in by governmental and corporate entities, and persons in the "white collar" professions. It includes state political crimes, corporate violence and abuse of power, as well as occupational, financial, and environmental crimes, and enforcement of laws against such crimes.
Students will be able to describe the nature and extent of white collar crime, how it differs from traditional crime, and the manner in which laws against such crimes are enforced
Outcomes
Students will be able to describe the nature and extent of white collar crime, how it differs from traditional crime, and the manner in which laws against such crimes are enforcedCJC 354 Cybercrime (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines the theory, practice, and prevention of cybercrime. It considers how advances in technology have led to the creation of cybercrime and new avenues for deviance. The course centers on various forms of cybercrimes and how theories of crime can be applied to explain and prevent cybercrime.
Define the nature and scope of cybercrime, Analyze national and global digital law enforcement efforts, Critically consider laws and policies governing cybercrime detection and prosecution
Outcomes
Define the nature and scope of cybercrime, Analyze national and global digital law enforcement efforts, Critically consider laws and policies governing cybercrime detection and prosecutionCJC 360 Substance Use and Crime (3 Credit Hours)
This course will explore whether substance use is related to crime, the effect of drug trafficking on communities, the policies aimed at controlling drug use and their effectiveness, as well as the implications of current drug policies and practices on communities and on the criminal justice system itself.
Interdisciplinary Option: Psychology of Crime and Justice
Students will describe the relationship between substance use and crime, the effects of substance use and abuse on communities, and the implications of currents drug policies and practices
Outcomes
Students will describe the relationship between substance use and crime, the effects of substance use and abuse on communities, and the implications of currents drug policies and practicesCJC 365 Guns and Crime (3 Credit Hours)
This course provides a comprehensive overview of issues associated with firearms, including their historical and contemporary use in the commission and prevention of crime, patterns of ownership and acquisition, and the form and effectiveness of attempts to control access to firearms and gun-related violence in the U.S.
Students will be able to apply critical thought, scientific research, and a full understanding of the laws regulating access to firearms to objectively assess the nature of, and governmental response to, gun violence
Outcomes
Students will be able to apply critical thought, scientific research, and a full understanding of the laws regulating access to firearms to objectively assess the nature of, and governmental response to, gun violenceCJC 366 Crime Prevention (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines the theory and practice of crime prevention. The course will review theories of crime and justice with specific implications for crime prevention efforts. Students will trace the evolution of crime prevention efforts. Most importantly, the course will review crime prevention strategies, ranging from those designed to protect the individual to those designed to protect society at large.
Define and explain crime prevention, as an idea and as a practice; Define and explain the three broad categories of crime prevention; Know and explain how theories of crime and justice provide the foundation for particular methods of crime prevention; Describe and understand the importance of evaluation in judging the effectiveness of crime prevention techniques; Differentiate between crime prevention techniques pitched at different levels (individual, household, business, neighborhood)
Outcomes
Define and explain crime prevention, as an idea and as a practice; Define and explain the three broad categories of crime prevention; Know and explain how theories of crime and justice provide the foundation for particular methods of crime prevention; Describe and understand the importance of evaluation in judging the effectiveness of crime prevention techniques; Differentiate between crime prevention techniques pitched at different levels (individual, household, business, neighborhood)CJC 370 Women in The Criminal Justice System (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines four areas relative to women in the criminal justice system: the historical view of female criminality; women as defendants in criminal cases and women in prison; women as victims of domestic violence and sexual assault; and women as professionals in the criminal justice system.
Knowledge Area: Tier 2 Societal Knowledge
Interdisciplinary Option: Women & Gender Studies
Course equivalencies: X-CRMJ370/WOST395/WSGS395
Students will be able to describe the extent, nature and theories of female criminality and victimization and how this is consistent with and different from male criminality and victimization
Outcomes
Students will be able to describe the extent, nature and theories of female criminality and victimization and how this is consistent with and different from male criminality and victimizationCJC 371 Victimology (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines the scientific study of victimization, the relationships between victims and offenders, the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system, and the connections between victims and other social groups and institutions.
Interdisciplinary Option: Peace Studies, Psychology of Crime and Justice
Course equivalencies: X-CRMJ371/PAX 369
Students will be able to describe the legal, social and psychological issues related to crime victimization, and current knowledge about the victim-offender and victim- criminal justice system relationships
Outcomes
Students will be able to describe the legal, social and psychological issues related to crime victimization, and current knowledge about the victim-offender and victim- criminal justice system relationshipsCJC 372 Race, Ethnicity, and Criminal Justice (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines current research and theoretical perspectives related to race and ethnicity in crime and in criminal justice processing. It will cover such issues as racial profiling, the effects of drug laws on people of color, minority disenfranchisement from the criminal justice system, and crime and immigration.
Knowledge Area: Tier 2 Societal Knowledge
Interdisciplinary Option: African Studies and the African Diaspora, Black World Studies, Human Services, Peace Studies, Psychology of Crime and Justice, Race and Ethnicity, Sociolegal Studies, Urban Studies
Course equivalencies: X-CJC/BWS/AFR/PLSC372/PAX373
Students will demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues relating to - and current research and theory about - race and ethnicity and their relationship to crime and criminal case processing
Outcomes
Students will demonstrate an understanding of contemporary issues relating to - and current research and theory about - race and ethnicity and their relationship to crime and criminal case processingCJC 373 Intimate Partner Violence (3 Credit Hours)
This course will address the nature and scope of intimate partner violence, the factors that contribute to it as well as the theories that have been developed to explain it. Attention will be paid to society's responses to intimate partner violence.
Interdisciplinary Option: Human Services, Peace Studies, Psychology of Crime and Justice, Women & Gender Studies
Course equivalencies: CJC373/PAX374/WSGS392
Students will be able to describe the theory, extent, nature, and impact of intimate partner violence, and how the community and criminal justice system respond to this problem
Outcomes
Students will be able to describe the theory, extent, nature, and impact of intimate partner violence, and how the community and criminal justice system respond to this problemCJC 374 Miscarriages of Justice (3 Credit Hours)
This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of criminal justice system error, drawing from criminology, psychology, and law, to examine wrongful conviction and acquittal, official misconduct, and discrimination. The course examines the rate of error, institutional responses to error, and how policies exacerbate, or minimize, miscarriage of justice. Critically evaluate criminal justice practices for their ability to administer justice; identify hallmarks of miscarriages of justice; analyze policy for its potential to prevent, or contribute to, miscarriages of justice
Interdisciplinary Option: Psychology of Crime and Justice
CJC 375 Punishment and Society (3 Credit Hours)
This course explores the dominant sociological approaches to understanding punishment in modern society. The course also focuses on punishment as practiced in the United States in light of these theoretical approaches, examining the collateral consequences of punishment and the importance of racial, gender, and sexual identities in relation to punishment.
Interdisciplinary Option: Race and Ethnicity
Understand the philosophical justifications for punishment; understand social theories of punishment; critically assess the role punishment plays in modern society; understand the consequences of punishment for individuals, communities, and society
Outcomes
Understand the philosophical justifications for punishment; understand social theories of punishment; critically assess the role punishment plays in modern society; understand the consequences of punishment for individuals, communities, and societyCJC 376 Childhood Exposure to Violence (3 Credit Hours)
This course examines the definitions, scope, and impact of violence and abuse in childhood. In particular, this course introduces students to the theoretical and empirical literatures relating to family violence, including child physical abuse, child sexual abuse, and child neglect, as well as child victimization in neighborhoods and schools. To understand, critically analyze, and apply a variety of theories, conceptual frameworks, and empirical research to explain child victimization and the impact of exposure to violence on children.
Interdisciplinary Option: Psychology of Crime and Justice
CJC 377 Psychology and Law (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: PSYC 101
Introduction to the areas of overlap between psychology and the law. Topics include roles of psychologists in legal settings, accuracy of eyewitness testimony, jury processes, accuracy of polygraph examinations, and issues surrounding the insanity defense.
Interdisciplinary Option: Peace, Justice, and Conflict Studies, Sociolegal Studies
Students will learn to analyze biases in the U.S. jury system, elucidate the weaknesses of eyewitness testimony, outline the issues in the insanity defense, understand the issues in Rape Trauma Syndrome and Battered Spouse Syndrome, understand the methods and effects of scientific jury selection, understand the complex issues surrounding confessions, and view the US justice system in a social justice context
Outcomes
Students will learn to analyze biases in the U.S. jury system, elucidate the weaknesses of eyewitness testimony, outline the issues in the insanity defense, understand the issues in Rape Trauma Syndrome and Battered Spouse Syndrome, understand the methods and effects of scientific jury selection, understand the complex issues surrounding confessions, and view the US justice system in a social justice contextCJC 378 International Criminal Justice (3 Credit Hours)
This course is an introduction to the nature and scope of international and transnational crime, and the emerging legal framework for its prevention and control. It includes the history of the internationalization of crime control and measurement, and international trends in law enforcement, victim assistance, courts, sentencing, and corrections.
Interdisciplinary Option: Global Studies
Students will examine globalization of crime; learn about international crime statistics; understand the prevalence of common crimes internationally; identify emerging crime threats; and understand international trends in criminal justice
Outcomes
Students will examine globalization of crime; learn about international crime statistics; understand the prevalence of common crimes internationally; identify emerging crime threats; and understand international trends in criminal justiceCJC 379 Leaving Crime Behind (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: CJC 201
This course provides students with an examination of desistance from crime and the potential for rehabilitation in the criminal justice system. The course discusses theories of desistance, empirical research on desistance, and the extent to which the criminal justice system contributes to individuals' ability to desist from crime.
Students will be able to: 1) analyze desistance theories; 2) describe crime patterns across the life course; 3) identify individual and community-level factors associated with desistance; and 4) critique rehabilitation approaches grounded in desistance theories
Outcomes
Students will be able to: 1) analyze desistance theories; 2) describe crime patterns across the life course; 3) identify individual and community-level factors associated with desistance; and 4) critique rehabilitation approaches grounded in desistance theoriesCJC 380 Introduction to Forensic Science (3 Credit Hours)
This course provides an overview of the basic principles and uses of forensic science within the field of criminal justice. The course is designed for criminal justice majors emphasizing the application of the forensic sciences in the criminal justice system.
Students will be able to identify the uses and limitations of the existing forensic science techniques used within the field of criminal justice
Outcomes
Students will be able to identify the uses and limitations of the existing forensic science techniques used within the field of criminal justiceCJC 390 Capstone Experience Internship (1-6 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: CRMJ Majors and Minors, Psychology of Crime and Justice Minors, Forensic Science Majors
The purpose of this course is to enhance the student's development and learning through observational and participatory experience in criminal justice agencies.
Interdisciplinary Option: Human Services
This course satisfies the Engaged Learning requirement.
Students will be able to contribute in a meaningful way to the operation of a specific criminal justice agency and be able to identify and describe the link between their field experience and prior courses
Outcomes
Students will be able to contribute in a meaningful way to the operation of a specific criminal justice agency and be able to identify and describe the link between their field experience and prior coursesCJC 391 Capstone Experience Research (3 Credit Hours)
Pre-requisites: Instructor approval required; major in criminal justice; junior or senior standing; Students must complete CJC 205: Research Methods (or equivalent) and four additional CJC courses
The course will allow students to be actively engaged in a faculty member's research project, providing the student with an opportunity to apply the research skills that they already have and to acquire additional skills and knowledge about research design, statistical analysis, and writing research presentations, briefs, or papers.
This course satisfies the Engaged Learning requirement.
increasing knowledge about the research process from design, analysis, presentation, writing and policy implications
Outcomes
increasing knowledge about the research process from design, analysis, presentation, writing and policy implicationsCJC 395 Special Topics (3 Credit Hours)
Special topics courses provide students with an opportunity to examine various criminal justice topics not normally offered as part of the Department's regular curriculum.
Students will be able to gain an understanding of new issues confronting the criminal justice system, or an advanced understanding of traditional subjects covered in basic courses
Outcomes
Students will be able to gain an understanding of new issues confronting the criminal justice system, or an advanced understanding of traditional subjects covered in basic coursesCJC 396 Independent Study (1-6 Credit Hours)
This course provides students with the opportunity to examine a specific topic in the field of criminal justice that is currently not offered or available.
Students will gain an in-depth understanding of a specific criminal justice topic through directed readings and independent study
Outcomes
Students will gain an in-depth understanding of a specific criminal justice topic through directed readings and independent studyCJC 399 Senior Capstone (3 Credit Hours)
This course is a culmination of the student's study of crime and criminal justice issues. It consists of projects aimed at integrating theory, knowledge, and research in the context of a variety of contemporary criminal justice problems, issues, and policies.
Students will apply all that they have learned throughout their criminal justice courses and apply this knowledge to demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of criminal justice professions, practices, and policy