everything.study
POLI SCI 418

CRIME AND POLITICS

3 credits.

Introduction to various concepts that analyze the criminal legal system from a political perspective. Examines how governments respond to the problem of crime from a domestic and international perspective. In addition to understanding different frameworks on how crime emerges, focuses on four thematic questions: Why do national governments treat public safety as a public good? Why do political actors target certain behaviors as criminal offenses? Why do political efforts to reduce crime often reflect social inequalities within society? Why do poorly designed criminal policies often result in political backlash? Examines crime from each subfield of political science - American, Comparative, International Relations, and Political Theory. Adopts a holistic approach towards understanding the criminal legal system from a political perspective. Consider and challenge all viewpoints on how the current system operates.

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: (3 credits in POLI SCI, LEGAL ST, or SOC) and sophomore standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Social & Behavioral Science Breadth - Social Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Articulate how politicians use institutions and public policy to target specific demographic groups as social deviants. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Recognize and question the cultural assumptions as they relate to why crime emerges and who is most likely to be a social deviant. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Demonstrate self-awareness and empathy toward the policy experiences of others, especially racial and ethnic minorities. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Apply course concepts to their own political lives and circumstances outside the classroom. Audience: Undergraduate 5. Articulate how cultural assumptions and belief systems used to build past political institutions connect with current day institutions. Audience: Undergraduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Articulate how politicians use institutions and public policy to target specific demographic groups as social deviants. Audience: Undergraduate 2. Recognize and question the cultural assumptions as they relate to why crime emerges and who is most likely to be a social deviant. Audience: Undergraduate 3. Demonstrate self-awareness and empathy toward the policy experiences of others, especially racial and ethnic minorities. Audience: Undergraduate 4. Apply course concepts to their own political lives and circumstances outside the classroom. Audience: Undergraduate 5. Articulate how cultural assumptions and belief systems used to build past political institutions connect with current day institutions. Audience: Undergraduate

Sources
Catalogue variants