CJS 402. Gangs (3)

Prerequisite: SOC 250 or CJS 102 or CJS 302 or permission of instructor. This course provides a core foundation for the study of gangs and gang control in a historical and contemporary perspective. Gang definitions, types, social organization, and control are included in this class as well as an examination of the social, political, and economic conditions that favor the emergence of gangs and gang behavior. The focus of this class is on gangs in both a U.S. and a global context. Critical perspectives are used to analyze issues in the understanding and control of gangs, and application of these perspectives to the criminal justice field is emphasized. Available for graduate credit.