CRJU 643: Criminal Justice: Race and Gender Issues
Prerequisites: Graduate Standing
Credit Hours: (3)
Examines the interrelationship of race and gender with the criminal justice system, considering the experiences of racial and ethnic minority groups and women.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
I. Introduction
a. Why study race, gender, and the criminal justice system?
b. Approaches to the study of race and gender
II. Race, Gender and Law Enforcement
a. Historical background
b. Discrimination
c. Professionals
III. Race, Gender and the Courts
a. Historical background
b. Discrimination
c. Professionals
IV. Race, Gender and Corrections
a. Historical background
b. Discrimination
c. Professionals
V. Race, Gender and the Juvenile Justice System
a. Historical background
b. Discrimination
c. Professionals
VI. How have racial and ethnic minorities and women transformed the criminal justice system?
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The course will be carried on largely in a discussion format. Students will participate actively by preparing informal reports, leading discussions, and doing critiques of others' research papers.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
Having successfully completed this course, the graduate student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the roots and development of race and gender issues
as they relate to the criminal justice system.
2. Examine and evaluate both empirical and historical research as it relates to race
and gender issues and the criminal justice system.
3. Produce an appropriate research project dealing with an issue of race, gender and
criminal justice.
4. Demonstrate the ability to communicate orally by participating in class discussion
and doing several class presentations.
Assessment Measures
Assignments will include several abstracts of articles, a report on a Supreme Court case, and a longer research paper of 15-20 pages. Students will lead class discussions about their papers and prepare critiques of others' papers.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
March 1999