Criminal Law and Justice

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This class examines the historical foundations, frameworks, and contemporary realities of the American criminal legal system. Students will trace the evolution of policing, criminal law, and punishment from their historical roots to modern mass incarceration and post-2020 reform movements. The course investigates how legal codes shape social order and impact marginalized communities. The second half focuses on transformative justice frameworks, analyzing community-led interventions, alternatives to incarceration, and rights-based approaches to public safety. Students will critically assess the outcomes of recent reform efforts and debate future models for systemic accountability, equity, and justice.