Theoretical Foundations of the Criminal Justice System

Catalog description

This course explores the theoretical foundations of the criminal justice system. Systems of justice in the United States are legitimized through and operate under both: a) theories that explain the operation of the justice system and its components including law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice and the courts, and b) theories focused on the motivation and causation of crime and deviance. Additional theoretical considerations involve the degree to which programs and policies that derive from these theoretical foundations influence rates of crime and deviance, the effectiveness of justice system components, and the relationships between the system, politics, and citizens. Requirements: CRJU major and C or better in CRJU 2100 . Approved for distance education.