CRJU 365

CRJU 365
Diversity Issues in the Criminal Justice System

1. Catalog Entry

CRJU 365
Diversity Issues in the Criminal Justice System

Credit hours (3)
Prerequisites: CRJU 100 and SOCY 110; declared major or minor in Criminal Justice or enrollment in the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, or permission of the instructor.

Provides an overview of social class, gender/sexuality, race, and ethnicity issues as related to the criminal justice and legal system. Major emphasis will be on developing a student understanding of the roles gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, and social class have on structuring historical and current experiences within the U.S. culture. This course also emphasizes the effects that social class, gender and sexuality, and race and ethnicity have on the lives of people within the context of contemporary issues of justice. This course may be used to meet requirements for the minor in Women’s and Gender Studies.

Note(s): Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course.

2. Detailed Description of Course

 

1. Historical development of racial and ethnic classifications
   1. Historical treatment of racial and ethnic minorities under the legal system
2. Historical  Evolution of Women’s Issues & Sexuality
   1. Historical treatment of women under the legal system
3. The Measurement and Impact of Social Class
4. Consensus and Conflict views on Law Development
5. Theories of Criminality
6. The impact of Gender/Sexuality, Race and Ethnicity, and social class on patterns of criminality
7. Women, Minorities and the System of Criminal Justice
   
   1. The impact of race/ethnicity, gender/sexuality and social class on treatment by police, courts,  and correctional systems
8. The Future of Women and Minorities in the Criminal Justice System

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

A number of instructional strategies will be used, including but not limited to: lecture, case studies, student presentations, group learning projects, written assignments (e.g., exams, research papers), discussion of documentaries, films, and other examples of popular culture.
 
4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

Having successfully completed this course, the student will be able to:

1. Develop an understanding of the evolution of race as well as an understanding of historical issues pertaining to women in the criminal justice system.
2. Demonstrate a sensitivity to social class, gender, and race differences and the broad range of social problems that presently confront our criminal justice system.
3. Demonstrate the ability to communicate orally to the extent that the student can present ideas within a group setting or part of a group panel.
4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas and thoughts through writing exercises.

5. Assessment Measures

Students will be evaluated on several bases, including but not limited to class discussions, exams, written assignments, book reviews, and oral and written group presentations.

6. Other Course Information

None

Review and Approval

June 20, 2015

March 01, 2021

April 23, 2025