Criminal Justice 660

CRJU 660: Issues in Criminal Justice

Prerequisites: Graduate Standing

Credit Hours: (3)

An examination of current issues which impact upon criminal justice through an analysis of formation, procedural influence, and policy determination.

Detailed Description of Course Content

This course assumes a broad and general exposure to criminal justice as an academic field of study and is a seminar focused on the major contemporary issues that currently impact the field locally, nationally and internationally. The seminar members select the issues, research them using primarily the professional journals, and analyze and critique them from the perspective of developing policy in the impacted criminal justice agencies. Survey strategies are also explored to provide input in the policy determination and formulation processes.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

The course is conducted as a seminar course with the participants identifying and prioritizing the contemporary issues. Each issue is then systematically analyzed and researched using the professional journals, study reports, etc. Policy alternatives are developed and critiqued from the criminal justice agency perspective. Survey techniques are developed and at least one carried to completion by each participant during the semester. Various writing assignments, such as position reports, journal critiques, survey research reports, and policy impact statements are used.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

At the conclusion of the course, students should be able to:

1. Describe the evolution of issues and problems facing the field of criminal justice and the responding policy development and evaluation processes for criminal justice agencies.
2. Lead group processes in issue and problem recognition and resolution.
3. Design and implement a research project related to a contemporary issue using a survey design.

Assessment Measures

Knowledge and understanding of the material covered in this course, as well as the ability to apply it to real life situations, may be measured using an array of assessment tools that can include tests, formal papers, informal writing assignments, and formal oral presentations. Instructors of this course can choose among these assessment tools and may develop others if they deem it appropriate.

Other Course Information

Guests and field trips will be used where appropriate depending on availability of resources and interests.

Review and Approval

DATE ACTION APPROVED BY
March 1999