PROGRAM OF CRIMINOLOGY

Director: Maricely Tirado de Guevara, J.D M.P.A.

Faculty: Maribel Reyes Rodríguez, Alejandrina Ortiz, M.S.W., Sandra I. Ramos López 

OBJECTIVES:

Aware of the great problems of social control that show the high incidence of criminals and 
delinquents, drug use and traffic, alcoholism, mental illness, and other manifestations of social
deviance in Puerto Rico, the Criminology program of the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto
Rico meets its social responsibility with the Puerto Rican society by offering a study program 
conducive to a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Criminology.

This program satisfies the need to develop professional personnel with distinguished and scientific
understanding of the manifestations of social deviance and crime as social phenomena in P.R. The
program tries to develop in students a scientific attitude in connection with this phenomena, which is
in keeping with the ethical and religious formation of a model Christian.

Therefore, the Program of Sociology pursues the following objectives:

1. To provide  the students with the basic theory, as well as the principles and skills, within the
    practical field of Criminology.

2. To imbue the students with a critical insight and awareness of the criminality and social
    deviation phenomena.

3. To give the students the indispensable means for a better integration between theory
    and practice. 

4. To provide students with a thorough preparation that will enable them to pursue graduate
    and professional studies in fields related to criminology.

5. To qualify students for future employment either in public or private fields according to
    the needs of Puerto Rico.

6. To develop in our students a critical and analytical insight in sociological research within
    the framework of Catholic ethics and social justice.

REQUISITES FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH MAJOR IN CRIMINOLOGY

The students must have the following admission requirements of the major:

a. To pass the basic courses of Political Science and Social Science with C or more.*

b. To have an interview with the program's Admission Committee.

 

* Political Science and Social Science 110 are institutional requirements; however, both should be approved with C or more.

CURRICULUM FOR THE BACHELOR OF ARTS WITH A MAJOR IN CRIMINOLOGY

FIRST YEAR

SECOND YEAR

THIRD YEAR

FOURTH YEAR

COURSE DESCRIPTION

CRIM 213 - FUNDAMENTAL SOCIOLOGY (COMPENDIUM)
(Equivalent to Soc. 213)

The course familiarizes students with the basic concepts of Sociology.  Analysis of the sociology of our environment.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 218 - STATISTICAL METHODS IN CRIMINOLOGY (Equivalent to Soc. 218)
Requisites: Math. 117 - 118

The introductory course of statistics in Social Science is designed to provide students with the 
fundamental elements of statistics theory. Discussion of descriptive statistics and principles about
predictive and inferential statistics. Introduction to the analysis and presentation of statistical data.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 250 - CRIMINOLOGY (Equivalent Soc. 351)

Analysis of the nature, extension and characteristics of criminal behavior from a sociological
perspective to an interdisciplinary one. Study of different theoretical considerations of criminal
behavior and resulting social reactions.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 270 - LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM 
                      ADMINISTRATION IN PUERTO RICO

Study of the impact of legislation and jurisprudence on the correctional system administration in
Puerto Rico. Emphasis on the legal dimension of the operational aspects of the administrating of
the correctional system.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 305 - SOCIAL RESEARCH APPLICABLE TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE
(Equivalent to Soc. 305)

Study of scientific methods and research techniques according to Criminology and Criminal Justice
System. Train students to acquire critical vision about the elements of criminology research. To be
analyzed are the study of criminology, development of scientific knowledge, fundamental research,
applied research, hyphoteses, interview techniques, statistics in criminology, and others.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM 290 - CRIMINALITY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO DRUGS
Requisite: Crim. 250

A study of drug use and drug abuse as a social problem.  Analysis of the economic, social, and 
political consequences, and their effect on public health.  Discussion of specific theories which 
explain drug abuse. Evaluation of the drugs-crime relationship.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIMINOLOGY 300 -  SOCIAL ABERRATION IN WOMEN
Requisite: Crim 250

Analysis of the relationship between gender and various definitions of "deviation."  A study of the
factors which promote deviance in some women.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 314 - SOCIAL PROBLEMS (Equivalent Soc. 314)

Study of the most common social problems in contemporary society. Analysis of social problems
in the light of sociological theories and related Social Science disciplines. To be analyzed are
demography, health, crime, delinquency, poverty and others.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 315 - TREATMENT MODELS

This course examines diverse treatment models. The model selected will determine the practice
scene and the nature of the individual situation.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 350 - SOCIAL DEVIANCE IN JUVENILES

The study of the nature, manifestations and magnitude of juvenile antisocial behavior. Analysis
of factors that contribute to deviant behavior in juveniles and related deterrent and treatment
programs. Historical, social and legal bases of juvenile justice programs in Puerto Rico.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 353 - PENOLOGY

Study of social reactions toward criminal behavior. It encompasses the different means of control,
prevention and treatment of criminal behavior (penal and security measures) as well as other 
reactions (judicial, non-penal and non-judicial).

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 355 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OF PUERTO RICO
Pre-requirement: Crim. 210 & Cram. 250

Legal and historical aspects of criminal justice system of Puerto Rico. The relationship between
crime and components of justice (police, courts and correction) and its organization and function.
Critical examination of resources, accomplishments in the investigation of criminal justice systems
as means of social control. Perspective of criminal justice in Puerto Rico.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 357 - THEORY ON SOCIAL DEVIANCE AND CRIMINOLOGY
Requirement: Crim. 250

The course is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge of some paradigms about
social deviance. Comparative analysis of social deviance in different societies using as reference
some paradigms.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 370 - SCIENTIFIC EVALUATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF
                      CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS
Requirement: Crim. 200, 250, 350

Discussion of the social scientific method. Differences between basic and applied social scientific
investigation. The application of social scientific method to the evaluation of the accomplishments
of the programs in criminal and juvenile justice, with examples, discussions, illustrations, and
exercises.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 410 - SOCIAL DEVIANCE AND PUBLIC POLICY

Study of the phenomena of deviant behavior and how they are taken into account in the elaboration
of public policy with special emphasis on Puerto Rico.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 415 - ETHICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

General approach about morality and human conduct. Principles of justice and ethics of law. The
study of punishment and corrections ethics. Explore the ethics of the Criminal Justice System with
emphasis on police organization. Study the ethics of capital punishment and Juvenile Justice System.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 450 - PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP SEMINAR: THEORY OF 
                      PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN CRIMINOLOGY 
                     (This course concurrent with Crim. 451)
Requirements: All specialty requirements.

Analysis of different agencies and social institutions that deal with social deviant cases. The study of
themes related with the practical experience of students in the agencies and the role of the 
sociologist-criminologist in the preparation of public policy with respect to social deviance phenomena.

2 hours, 1 semester, 2 credits

CRIM. 451 - PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIP: SUPERVISED PRACTICE
Requirements: All specialty requirements.

Internship in public or private agencies under the supervision of a professor in the discipline. The
course provides opportunities for students to participate in the practical experiences that will 
develop their scientific and professional attitude in relation to social deviance phenomena.

150 hours, 1 semester, 4 credits

CRIM. 460 - OPEN SEMINAR

Subject to be developed by lectures and chairman. It is suggested, nevertheless, that the themes of
criminology and criminal justice administration in Puerto Rico be studied.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

CRIM. 470 - SEMINAR ON CRIMINOLOGY RESEARCH
Requirements: Crim. 210 &250

Discussion of the basic literature of criminological investigation: problems studied, methods and
findings, with special emphasis on the investigation concerning Puerto Rico. Using this analysis
as a basic evaluation of the accomplishment in criminological science.

3 hours, 1 semester, 3 credits

ACTIVITIES

The Interfacultative Department of Political Sciences, Public Administration, Sociology and 
Criminology considers the extracurricular activities of its professors and students a matter of
crucial importance. Therefore it promotes the participation of its members in student associations,
in research activities, and professional improvement conferences.

I. Student Associations

There are five associations in our Department: Political Science Association, Pi Gamma Mu, Sociology and Criminology Association, Phi Alpha Delta (Pre-legal Fraternity, Pedro Albizu Campos chapter) and Association of Students of Public Administration.

II. Research Activities

There is a Scientific-Social Research Unit which although not part of our Department, has 
been closely connected with us since its creation in 1985. This unit accomplishes research work in the social science area.

III. Study Center

Open to professors and students of advanced courses. Computer resources for academic and research work are available.