The purpose of this course is to take an analytical and sociological look at the American criminal justice system and its component parts. The course consists of four units. The first is an introductory unit that examines crime and the nature of the criminal law and ends with an overview of the criminal justice system.
Later units cover policing, criminal adjudication, and post-conviction strategies.
Throughout the course we will be focusing on the question of how the desire to control crime must be balanced by the need to protect citizen's rights. Students should leave this course with a basic understanding of the operation of the American criminal justice system. Since you will be reading nearly the entire book, you are encouraged to acquire a copy. Each test is worth up to 75 points. A student's grade will be based on the total number of points achieved.