The incidence, volume, extent, distribution, types, trends in juvenile crime; theories that explain individual and group forms of juvenile delinquency as they relate to individual, family, school, community, and societal causes; an overview of juvenile cases and matters; victimization of juveniles and protective services available for them; correctional institutions, punishment, and rehabilitation programs for juveniles; critical evaluation of current practices in juvenile corrections; needed changes in the juvenile correctional system to rehabilitate offenders and help prevent juvenile delinquency.
Historical evolution of the major world legal systems; their social foundations and philosophies; overview of the four major legal systems of the world and their hybrids; evolving convergences and divergences in the legal systems; social change and emerging justice views; international crimes including terrorism, organized crime; genocide; civil wars and refugees; the global drug problems, smuggling; human trafficking and human rights issues; the Interpol, Europol; the UNO, international courts – the World Court and other International Courts; Amnesty International and other human rights watchdog groups, NGO’s.
Patterns of crime and victimization, especially as they relate to homicide, assault, rape, robbery, and hate crimes. Crime and victimization in domestic, known, and stranger contexts. Distribution of crime and victimization in terms of demographic characteristics (age, gender, class, and ethnicity), and geographical areas (national, regional, city, and other community contexts). Offender-victim interaction; theories of victimization; prevention of victimization.
Examines environmental problems, crimes, and justice; bodily and property harms and crimes from local, regional, and global environmental problems; point source and non-point source pollution; structural violence; environmental victimology; governmental and non- governmental responses; environmental laws and regulations; environmental justice and racism, at risk populations (poor, minorities, women, working men); anti-environmental backlash to regulations and laws.
Differing conceptions of law and justice; law as a cultural institution reflecting the cultural values and ideals of society; law as an instrument of social change; law as an oppressive and liberating instrument; the cultural foundations of law and their operation in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, capitalistic, socialistic, and simple, emerging and modern societies; examination of how laws function in societies and their consequence for conformity and violation.
An overview of laws of subordination and liberation in American history; patriarchy and gender inequality; legal and social barriers to justice and equality of women; overcoming gender inequalities through changes in law, social attitudes, and incorporation of males to women’s progress; enabling males and females to respect each other by creating a nonviolent ethos
Causes and forms of terrorism at the domestic and international levels; political, economic, religious, social and national differences among people and their implications for terrorism; a review of major terrorist incidents and groups; their underpinning means and what can be done to contain terrorism.
An inquiry into the “criminal justice” and “social justice” nexus; creating a “good” and “just” society reducing crime and promoting justice, and social well-being; understanding of crime and justice issues in the context of political, economic, socio-cultural, and legal changes for creating a good and just society to guide social action to control crime and promote justice.
An inquiry into the “criminal justice” and “social justice” nexus; creating a “good” and “just” society reducing crime and promoting justice, and social well-being; understanding of crime and justice issues in the context of political, economic, socio-cultural, and legal changes for creating a good and just society to guide social action to control crime and promote justice.
Supervised intensive readings under the supervision of a graduate faculty member in the faculty members’ specialty and/or areas of interest related to the student’s program. Students may opt under this to study in-depth theoretical/empirical readings in a substantive area not normally covered in standard courses. Writing intensive assessment of the central issues and emerging trends in criminal justice provides an opportunity for students to pursue research and/or participate with graduate faculty in research for potential publication and presentation at professional conferences. May be repeated once if new topic.
Under the supervision of graduate faculty, the student will pursue a study of contemporary issues in crime and criminal justice, including, but not limited to the area(s) of faculty specialization. May be repeated twice if new topic.
