CJUS 351 Criminal Justice Reform

This course is designed to provide an in-depth evaluation of current issues in the criminal justice system in the United States. Criminal justice reform is an explorative approach used to identify issues, problems, and policies that affect existing conditions in American law enforcement, courts, and correctional systems. Issues may include use of force, race relations, excessive punishment, and overcrowding in prisons, and this course will study these and similar current issues with a focus on meaningful and relevant reform approaches. Consequently, theory, current practices and policies, new and proposed relevant justice programs, and legislative and political agendas will be integral elements of the course. 

This course aims to acquaint the student with the challenges of pursuing justice in our society and identify the roles individuals play in the criminal justice system.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (6)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt. Each thread must be 250 – 300 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 100 words.

Research Paper: Proposal Assignment

The student will write a 1 – 2 page proposal for their Research Paper: Final Assignment in current APA format that focus on the varied and important roles (citizens, police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, etc.) in influencing criminal justice policies and processes.  You may choose the role of one or several. The paper must include at least 7 references including to the course textbook and the Bible.

Thought Paper Assignment

The student will write a 2 – 3 page research-based paper in the current APA format that focuses on the student’s analysis of victimization and criminal behavior. The paper must include a reference page and cite at least one reference from the course textbook and the Bible. 

Research Paper: Final Assignment

The student will write a 3 – 5 page research-based paper in the current APA format that focuses on the approved Research Paper: Proposal Assignment. It must include at least 7 references including the course textbook and the Bible (references used on your Proposal).

Quizzes (8)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the Module: Week in which they are assigned. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 15 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a 1 hour and 15-minute time limit.