Class Descriptions

Criminal Justice Policy

SW645

Credits:	1
Prerequisites:	None

Pathway Associations

Community Change
Global
Interpersonal Practice
Mgmt & Leadership
Policy & Political	Elective (Host)
Program Evaluation
Older Adults
Children & Families

Course Description

This course will survey major criminal justice issues facing adult populations in the U.S. Current criminal justice policies and policy alternatives to promote socially justice responses to crime and justice will be reviewed. Special topics such as mass incarceration, policing, and health and mental health needs in the criminal justice system will be covered, including relevant state and federal social policies aimed at addressing these issues.

Objectives

Through this course, students will be able to:

● Discuss and analyze current debates and trends in criminal justice.
● Identify and critique the strengths and limitations of existing criminal justice policies.
● Apply theoretical and conceptual frameworks that integrate social work and criminal justice to promote socially-just policy.

Design

The course will utilize a combination of lecture, in class exercises, and discussion.

Intensive Focus on Privilege, Oppression, Diversity and Social Justice (PODS)

This course integrates PODS content and skills with a special emphasis on the identification of theories, practice and/or policies that promote social justice, illuminate injustices and are consistent with scientific and professional knowledge. Through the use of a variety of instructional methods, this course will support students developing a vision of social justice, learn to recognize and reduce mechanisms that support oppression and injustice, work toward social justice processes, apply intersectionality and intercultural frameworks and strengthen critical consciousness, self-knowledge and self-awareness to facilitate PODS learning.