The goal of this course is to introduce students to a sociological account of the criminal justice system. We will critically examine the components, dynamics, and effects of policing, criminal courts, jails, prisons, and community supervision. Specific topics include how certain behaviors are defined as crime, how police and the courts function, and the experience of imprisonment and barriers individuals face after they are released from prison. We will also investigate how police, jails, prisons, and other criminal justice agencies are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the course, we focus on sociological understandings of these processes, with particular attention to ethnic,racial, class, and gender inequality. Assignments will include books, reports, articles, podcasts, and documentaries.
The course meets the Liberal Education requirements of Civil Life and Ethics. Courses with this designation are carefully designed to address the components, dynamics, and philosophical underpinnings of criminal justice through the Liberal Education critical framework.
Honors students are expected to demonstrate greater depth of discussion, depth and to a degree length of writing assignments, presentations, and leadership of the students. Honors students are expected to demonstrate greater depth of discussion and will be assigned additional reading and writing assignments.