Crime and Legal Studies

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the American criminal justice system and the American legal system, including law enforcement, courts, corrections, sources of law, and the interrelationships between legal institutions. Through a social scientific lens, we explore the history and philosophy of the criminal justice system, its interplay with broader political and legal structures, and patterns of inequality affecting marginalized groups, including racial/ethnic minorities, women, low-income populations, and the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, the course addresses ethical considerations within the justice system, examining the dilemmas and responsibilities faced by criminal justice professionals.

We will take a social justice approach in examining and critiquing issues in juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice. We will analyze the nature, extent and causes of juvenile delinquency including its intersection with race/ethnicity, socio-economic class, gender and sexual orientation. Further, we will explore the history, evolving philosophy, contemporary organization, processes and functions of the American juvenile justice system. Topics include, but are not limited to, survey of juvenile law, comparative analysis of adult and juvenile systems and prevention of juvenile delinquency.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of sociological and psychological theories of criminal behavior and social control. Students will learn to apply these theories to understand the causes and consequences of crime. The course emphasizes the practical application of criminological theories to develop policies for crime prevention and control. Special attention is given to how gender, race, ethnicity, age, and social class influence experiences within the criminal justice system. Through case studies and practical examples, students will deepen their understanding of criminological concepts and their real-world implications.

Through this internship, students gain professional experience by applying analytical skills learned in their crime and legal studies course work. Students may choose from a variety of internship options including community and governmental agencies, the criminal justice system, law offices or others that assist entry into a professional career. Graded Pass/Fail.

This course provides a broad overview of sociological and psychological theories of criminal behavior and social control. Students learn how to analyze theories and research on crime for the purpose of advancing theory as well as developing policies for crime prevention and control. Special attention is paid to how gender, race, ethnicity, age and social class contribute to varying experiences in the criminal justice system.

We will take a social justice approach in examining and critiquing issues in juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice. We will analyze the nature, extent, and causes of juvenile delinquency including its intersection with race/ethnicity, socio-economic class, gender, and sexual orientation. Further, we will explore the history, evolving philosophy, contemporary organization, processes, and functions of the American juvenile justice system. Topics include, but are not limited to, survey of juvenile law, comparative analysis of adult and juvenile systems, and prevention of juvenile delinquency.

This course offers an exploration of criminal law and procedure in the United States, focusing on the foundational principles and Constitutional constraints that shape the criminal justice system. Students will examine theories of punishment, the elements of criminal liability, and the procedural safeguards designed to protect the rights of the accused. Through case studies and practical analysis, the course will cover key aspects of criminal defenses, exculpation, and the adjudication process. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding the impact of criminal law and procedure on marginalized communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, women, low-income populations, and the LGBTQ+ community.

This course uses theory and empirical study to examine how inequalities embedded within social structures affect individuals and processes involved in the definition, construction and responses to crime, victimization and the law. Emphasis will be placed on socioeconomic status, race/ethnicity and gender as factors. This course will look at rates of violence, disparities in punishments and treatment within the legal system and the overrepresentation of poor and minority groups in the American criminal justice system. Finally, we will examine how barriers to equality are maintained and how scholars and others propose these barriers can be eliminated or reduced.

This course provides a basic overview and multi-disciplinary analysis of criminal law in the United States. We will begin with an examination of theories of punishment before turning to the general principles of criminal liability and Constitutional limits on criminal law. From this foundation we will examine cases pertaining to various dimensions of criminal law before turning to an analysis of criminal defense and exculpation. Special attention will be paid to the ways marginalized groups (i.e., racial/ethnic minorities, women, low-income populations, LGBTQ+ community, etc.) are differently affected by criminal law and related legal procedures.

This course provides an in-depth examination of drug scares and moral panics in the context of American society. Using a social scientific perspective, we will explore historical and contemporary sociolegal antecedents and reactions to perceived threats related to drug use and criminal behavior. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding how these moral panics disproportionately affect marginalized groups and contribute to social stratification. The course will also analyze the role of media, political discourse, public policy, and the law in shaping and responding to these panics. Through critical analysis, students will gain insights into the broader implications of moral panics on law, justice, and society.

Through this 160-hour minimum internship, students gain professional experience by applying analytical skills learned in their crime and legal studies course work. Students may choose from a variety of internship options including community and governmental agencies, the criminal justice system, law offices or others that assist entry into a professional career. Graded Pass/Fail.