CJFS 1400 - Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice

Goals: To develop student’s understanding of diversity in American Society, and develop increased understanding and awareness of student’s own implicit and explicit biases regarding persons from different culture, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, gender, economic position, sexual orientation, and person with disability. Students will understand how these concepts relate to communication, attitudes, and behavior inside the criminal justice system to increase effectiveness in interactions between law enforcement and criminal justice professions with persons from diverse backgrounds.

Content: The course provides an overview of diversity and its importance in criminological studies and in the criminal justice system. The course will focus on issues related to race, gender, and economic equality and also disadvantaged persons from a variety of backgrounds to understand the relationship between the criminal justice system and citizens. The course content will cover historical and present social issues that relate to diversity and disparity in the criminal justice system.

Taught: Fall and spring

Prerequisite: CJFS 1120

Credits: 4