CRJU 345: Historical Perspectives on Criminal Justice
Prerequisite: CRJU 100
Credit Hours: (3)
The course provides both an overview of the historical ideas about criminal justice in the western tradition and of the development of the criminal justice system in the United States in the context of social and political history.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
1) Justice in the Ancient World
2) Developments in the Western Tradition
3) Criminal Justice in Early America
4) Building a Criminal Justice System, 1815-1900
5) Reforming the System, 1900-the present
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The course will involve lectures, extensive writing by the students, small and large group discussions, the use of audio-visual materials, and the production of a short (4-5 page) research paper.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Having successfully completed this course, students will be able to:
1) Understand how concepts and practices of justice have evolved in the western tradition
and in the United States.
2) Place current issues and problems in criminal justice in their historical perspective.
3) Demonstrate an understanding of the roots of racial, class and gender issues as
they relate to the criminal justice system.
4) Demonstrate an understanding of the evolution of the rights of the criminally accused.
5) Demonstrate adequate written communication skills through intensive writing activities
and a research paper.
6) Show evidence of qualitative research skills through the production of a satisfactory
short paper.
Assessment Measures
Students' work will be evaluated on several bases, including but not limited to essay exams, in- class writing, research papers, and presentations.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
Date Action Approved by
July 2005, Reviewed by Dr. Isaac Van Patten, Department Chair