Courses

A critical analysis of the way the American criminal justice system operates, focusing on the nature of law, the police, and the courts.

The First-Year Seminar (FYS) introduces new Gonzaga students to the University, the Core Curriculum, and Gonzaga’s Jesuit mission and heritage. While the seminars will be taught by faculty with expertise in particular disciplines, topics will be addressed in a way that illustrates approaches and methods of different academic disciplines. The seminar format of the course highlights the participatory character of university life, emphasizing that learning is an active, collegial process.

Examines current issues in law enforcement such as corruption, brutality, use of deadly force, politics and policy administration, resource management, stress, community relations, and major court decisions.

An examination of the American correctional system, from its origins to the present day. Focuses on philosophical and policy issues and debates that confront our society in attempting to deal with criminal offenders. Field trips to correctional facilities.

This course examines deviance and crimes committed by organizations and the rich and powerful. The nature, extend and societal effects of various types of elite and white collar deviance are examined.

This course examines the relationship between inequality and crime in America’s inner cities. Students will consider how cultural, economic, educational, legal, political, and other factors shape life in urban areas, and how these factors reproduce crime and inequality in America’s inner cities.

An exploration of the ways in which gender influences who is and is not considered criminal, why women are often socialized to be the victims of crime and men the perpetrators of such actions, and how such behaviors are used to maintain and support pre-existing inequalities. As such, special attention will also be paid to how issues of social class, ethnicity, and sexual orientation often temper these societal outcomes.

A comparison of criminal justice systems from around the world using the Internet and a seminar format.

Substantive criminal law; principles, functions, and limits; basic crime categories with extensive case analysis; state and national legal research materials.

A hands-on class conducted by a Superior Court Judge. Students observe actual trials and are instructed about the proceedings by the judge.

Specific topics to be chosen by faculty.

Specific topics to be chosen by faculty.

Specific topics to be chosen by faculty.

Specific topics to be chosen by faculty.

Specific topics to be chosen by faculty.

The Core Integration Seminar (CIS) engages the Year Four Question: “Imagining the possible: What is our role in the world?” by offering students a culminating seminar experience in which students integrate the principles of Jesuit education, prior components of the Core, and their disciplinary expertise. Each section of the course will focus on a problem or issue raised by the contemporary world that encourages integration, collaboration, and problem solving. The topic for each section of the course will be proposed and developed by each faculty member in a way that clearly connects to the Jesuit Mission, to multiple disciplinary perspectives, and to our students’ future role in the world.

Full court case preparation in a year-long mock trial team environment, including knowledge of the law, opening and closing statements, directs, redirects, cross-examinations, courtroom procedure and demeanor. Formal American Mock Trial competition takes place during spring semester, at the end of which credit will be granted for successful completion of the course. Intended only for those with a serious interest in law. Cannot be repeated for credit.

Supervised readings in the criminal justice area.

Students with a 3.70 GPA in the Criminology major and a 3.30 overall GPA who wish to graduate with Departmental Honors in Criminology must enroll in CRIM 494 two semesters prior to their graduation and complete an honors thesis. The thesis may be a significant expansion of the student's work in SOCI 204 or CRIM 499. A committee of three faculty members will direct the thesis. Two members of the committee must be from the Criminology/Sociology Department, and one may be from another department. The chair of the committee will be the instructor of record. The committee's decision about whether to award Departmental Honors is independent of the course grade.

The course involves a 40 hour training academy and a commitment of at least 20 hours a month to the Spokane Police Department. Students will provide low priority responses to citizen needs such as property recovery and accident reporting. Student must be enrolled in this course prior to beginning the academy training. This course may be taken twice, for up to 2 credits total.

Supervised experience for Criminology majors in selected criminal justice agencies such as The Spokane County Prosecutor's Office, The Spokane County Public Defender's Office, or the Spokane County Juvenile Court.

Practical experience working in the Criminal Justice field. Internships are individually arranged and may be done in a wide array of settings.

An advanced class in criminological theory and methods. In a seminar format, students will review and discuss current criminological research and theories. Required of all Criminology majors and fulfills the comprehensive examination degree requirement. Spring.