Intro to Criminal Justice

This course presents an overview of the American criminal legal system, its principles, and practices, as well as development and structure of the system. It surveys the roles and relationships among the key actors in the system, including police, courts, juries, prosecutors and corrections agencies and institutions. The course also examines the relations between society, crime, and the criminal legal system. Particular attention is paid to the ways in which patterns of economic, racial and gender inequalities and power have been shaped by, a constantly evolving criminal justice system. Selected sections will be offered in Spanish as needed. Offered fall, spring, summer. (Formerly CRJU 201)