Firearm Violence

Catalog description

This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the extent and nature of firearm violence, existing laws related to the acquisition, ownership and use of firearms, patterns and reasons for firearm ownership and acquisition, the various attempts to control access to firearms, and the effectiveness of such efforts. This course will explore both the criminal justice and public health perspectives and approaches to reducing firearm violence. Each discipline's framework, strategies, and challenges will be examined, with a focus on the opportunities and challenges of implementing interdisciplinary approaches in a "real world" setting. The class will emphasize the application of objective and rigorous scientific methods and research to understanding the extent and nature of firearm violence and evaluating interventions within the context of what is oftentimes a politically and emotionally charged debate.