GOVT 325 - Law & Disorder: Injustice in the Justice System

Credit Hours: 3
Lecture Hours: 3
Laboratory Hours: 0

Prerequisite(s): A 100-level Sociology, Government, or Criminal Justice course.

Restriction(s): Students must be enrolled in a baccalaureate program.

Corequisite(s): None

The justice system is responsible for resolving complex matters that have a great impact on the lives of the individuals involved. The laws are put in place to ensure order in society, and the professionals who work in the system are required to work in an ethical manner so that the innocent are protected and justice is served. Throughout history, there have been many cases that challenge the public’s perception of whether the justice system is truly just. This course will review cases that have tested the public’s confidence in the legal system, analyze how such injustices occurred, and consider ways in which the system may be improved to ensure mistakes of the past are not repeated.

Student Learning Outcomes of the Course:

Students will demonstrate their knowledge of the proper legal procedures which should be followed in the civil and criminal justice systems.
Students will critically analyze professionals’ roles in the justice system, and illustrate how errors made may result in harm to individuals the justice system may, or may not, rectify.
Students will demonstrate their understanding of how the justice system should ideally operate, and explain how and why individuals act in a manner which may lead to injustice.
Students will demonstrate proficiency in research and writing, including the ability to use legal and social science research and data to address and critically analyze the origins of injustice.