JS 0521 - Crime and Criminal Justice Policy

3 Credit Hours
This course provides an overview of the public policy process as it relates to issues of crime and criminal justice. Students will gain an understanding of the socio-political context of criminal justice public policy, the public policy process, and the challenges facing successful policy implementation that are unique to criminal justice. This course will focus on role of family, drugs, race, and science in shaping criminal justice policy. Additionally, the traditional components of the criminal justice system are covered as each relates to policy within that particular component and the system as a whole. Lastly, we will discuss past mistakes, current circumstances, and future directions in public policy regarding crime and criminal justice. Prerequisite: Junior level standing, a 3.2 GPA, and permission of the instructor. This graduate-level course may meet concurrently with an undergraduate course, but students may not enroll in both the undergraduate and graduate courses simultaneously. Undergraduate students who enroll in the graduate course must have instructor permission, submit all required documentation, and are required to complete all the graduate coursework. Undergraduate students may be able to count hours toward a graduate degree (but this is not guaranteed). Prerequisite: Junior level standing, a 3.2 GPA, and permission of the instructor.