CRJU 367  Issues In Criminal Justice

A Critical Inquiry Into Criminal Justice Policy

Summer, 2003

 

 

Justice must always question itself, just as society can exist only by means of the work it does on itself and on its institutions.


Michel Foucault (1926-84), French philosopher. "Vous Êtes Dangereux," in Libération (Paris, 30 June 1983; repr. in Didier Eribon, Michel Foucault, 1989; tr. 1991).



 

General Course Description:

This course will explore selected criminal justice policy issues presented in popular media and standard academic resources. Using the assigned text as a base for analysis, we will examine topics of interest in terms relevant key concepts, ideological perspectives, and related research. The course format will consist primarily of online discussions and critiques of articles, text materials, and issues presented by the instructor and class members for analysis and debate. Sequentially developed research papers will provide opportunities for individual exploration of topics of interest. Students successfully completing the course will have demonstrated their ability to extract key issues from assigned articles, identify implicit ideological perspectives, and relate their findings to criminal justice policy implications.

Course Philosophy:

This course is grounded in two working assumptions:


Assumption 1The millions of daily interactions and discretionary decisions collectively referred to as the Criminal Justice System function together as a structural element of any stable society. The strength and stability of societies are, in part, a function of the perceived legitimacy of that system. Thus, an understanding of the structure and functions of our criminal justice systems, and the issues they are facing, is per se a worthwhile goal justifying the expense, effort, and intellectual discipline demanded by serious enquiry.

Corollary:

·         The course is designed for advanced students of criminal justice willing and prepared to seriously reflect upon some of the key issues facing American criminal justice systems today. It will require extensive reading, research, online interaction, writing, and thinking. The course is not appropriate for students simply in need of an upper level CJ credit that are not prepared to meet the intellectual rigors of disciplined inquiry.


Assumption 2: The Distance Learning format can provide a viable base for serious intellectual inquiry.

Corollary:

·         There is no "holy grail" of teaching methodology. Lectures, individual study, group study, Problem Based Learning, and other faddish teaching strategies all have their successes and failures. Research has clearly demonstrated, however, that online instruction can be as effective as other modes; and like other modes, has its positive and negative aspects. On the positive side, it takes advantage of the asynchronous nature of internet communication and allows students to conduct their studies on their own schedule. Interactions with other students and the instructor can be scheduled during times when undivided attention can be devoted to the course. On the negative side, the format requires higher levels of individual discipline and motivation than standard lecture courses. In that fellow students will rely on interaction with the entire class, a commitment to the course is essential. Failure to submit timely, well-considered postings will influence the learning experience of all involved.  As such, individuals not functioning at expected levels will be asked to drop the course prior to the end of the semester's free drop-add period.

Resources:

Text:

 

Samuel Walker, Sense And Nonsense About Crime And Drugs  5th Ed. (Belmont, California: Wadsworth, 2000).

 

Note - This text is considered by most criminal justice professionals to be part of the essential reading of the field. Walker presents a highly readable, yet sober, analysis of recent failures in criminal justice policy, blaming both liberals and conservatives for ideological excesses. His list of “Propositions” regarding criminal justice policy will function as a springboard for our exploration of criminal justice issues as presented in popular media throughout the semester.  If you have used the text in other courses, good! You are therefore aware that it is a very enjoyable read for the serious student of criminal justice. If not, get ready for an intellectual treat! Walker’s ability to clarify and get to the “nut” of complex issues is well known (and appreciated) across a range of disciplines. After a brief overview, we will use the text extensively as a resource; particularly as it relates to ideological aspects of criminal justice policy.

 

Additional Resources:

 

·        It is assumed that students have access to the standard criminal justice literature and texts they used while taking core courses, and are familiar with resources available through the University of Delaware Library; particularly, Expanded Academic ASAP Plus

·        Throughout the semester we will explore topical issues by regularly reviewing standard wire services, media outlets, and commentaries. One convenient point of access we will use is the Drudge Report. Media items selected for discussion

·         Resources contained in the research archive of the National Criminal Justice Reference Service

 

 Course Requirements:

General:

·        It is assumed that all students are familiar with, and willing to abide by, policies set forth in the Student Policy Handbook

·        Excellence is assumed. All work, including contributions to discussions, represents each individual’s best effort. Students will read and study course materials and address assignments when assigned.   In that course content will be largely driven by online discussions, class members agree to logon to WebCt, and contribute to class discussions minimally twice weekly.  Please note – this is not an independent study course. Reasoned and thoughtful contributions to discussions are an integral part of the course. They will be evaluated by the instructor in terms of quantity and quality and will count 25% of the semester grade.

·        In that this is a 300 level course, it is assumed that students have successfully completed the departmental core courses (CRJU110 Introduction to Criminal Justice; CRJU201 Problems of Law Enforcement; CRJU202 Problems of the American Judiciary; CRJU203 Problems of Corrections) and are prepared to relate basic information and perspectives from those courses to issues covered during the semester. While having not completed all the core does not, necessarily, bar registering for this course, it is a factor that should be considered when making registration decisions.

Course Paper:

Each student will research and write a 15-20 page APA Style course paper that meets reasonable standards for upper level undergraduate work. The paper will be developed in stages and will be progressively posted to the WebCt discussion group for suggestions and critique. The completed paper will count 25% of the semester grade.

Exams:

There will be two “take home” essay type semester exams. The midterm exam will cover primarily the policy oriented “Propositions” Walker presents in his text. The final exam will review the propositions and relate them to specific issues faced by today’s criminal justice system. Each exam will count 25% of the semester grade. Exams will be mailed or included as attachments to email as assigned.