Introduction to Criminal Justice ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the U.S. criminal justice system, tracing the movement of individuals through its core components of law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. Students will learn how crime is defined and measured, examine the discretionary powers of system actors, and consider how political, social, and legal influences shape criminal justice policy and practice. Through case studies and contemporary examples, students will study how the system functions in theory and in practice, with special attention to contemporary issues such as civil liberties, systemic disparities, institutional reform, and the complex intersection of mental health and criminal justice.