Race, Class, and Gender in the Criminal Justice System

Abstract

While the US criminal justice system is based on notions of equality and equal treatment under the law, recent scholarship suggests these ideals are not being put into practice. Specifically, ideas of race, class, and gender often impact how the criminal justice system functions. In this class, we will discuss the various ways in which these social...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Race, Class and Gender

Resource Type(s):

Syllabus

Class Level(s):

College 300

Class Size(s):

Small

Usage Notes

This is an undergraduate, elective course for a degree in Sociology and Anthropology with a concentration in Criminology and Criminal Justice. This is a seminar course. Discussion begins with questions prompted by the week’s readings and the students reading responses, but students direct the conversation. In-class, anonymous journaling prompts...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. 1) Students will be able to define "social construction." They will also be able to explain how race, class, and gender are socially constructed;
2. 2) Students will be able to explain how the criminal justice system plays a role in the construction of race, class, gender, and intersectionality. They will also be able to explain how these constructions impact criminal justice policy and practice; and
3. 3) Students will make personal connections between their identities and the cj system, particularly how their stati might impact employment in the system. They will also analyze the policy implications of these identities and the criminal justice system.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Goal 1: Students will write reading and video responses that examine readings and documentaries to assess how race, class, and gender are socially constructed.
2. Goal 2: Students will write reading and video responses to analyze the relationship between the social constructions and criminal justice policy/practice. Students will also write a final research paper that suggests changes to that relationship.
3. Goal 3: Students will write journals reflecting on how their identities impact their daily lives and potentially impact future employment in the cj system. Students will write a research paper analyzing the implications of policy changes to the system.