CJS 101. Introduction to Criminology and Justice Studies (3)

This course provides an overview of the field of criminology and justice studies. Both traditional and contemporary approaches to justice will be explored, including alternatives and system reform. Furthermore, students will critically examine the purpose, components, and processes of the criminal justice system and the impact of crime on individuals, communities, and societies. Students will be introduced to various approaches for measuring and studying crime and basic theoretical paradigms related to criminal behavior. Additionally, this course incorporates a focus on the experiences of individuals impacted by the criminal justice system based on identities such as race, indigeneity, ethnicity, gender/gender identity, sexuality/sexual orientation, class, and their intersections. Students who have taken CJS 102 will not receive credit for CJS 101. Available for General Education, Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences.