Criminal justice involves more than retribution; it is twofold in that it must punish offenders and also address their needs and the needs of victims and the community. Students in this course explore the theory of justice and practices that emphasize repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior. They learn the ways in which this effort contrasts with an adversarial approach to justice. Students learn about strategies involving stakeholders in actions that transform the relationships among victims, offenders, communities, and criminal justice agencies in their response to crime. They also explore and reflect on case studies and topical models for an in-depth understanding how professionals conduct restorative justice in the real world.

While victim response is vital, it is also important to focus on the potential effects of crime on a community, such as economic instability, drug use, prejudices, and further criminal activity. Students in this course identify existing community resources that professionals use in conjunction with planned and ad hoc community responses to learn positive and effective intervention strategies that address the needs of individuals and communities affected by criminal incidents. They also assess the challenges inherent in such efforts and discuss ways to mitigate obstacles. Gaining new perspectives on possible ways to address the coordination of community response, students examine how victims perceive crime and/or change their role as a result of the crime.

Communities around the nation have identified the need for resources to help people in various states of crisis, such as those associated with mental health issues, substance and alcohol abuse, and myriad forms of violence. Criminal justice professionals are positioned to refer those in crisis to proper community resources or use alternate intervention responses that may avoid arrest and incarceration. In this course, students explore the phenomenon of crisis through models, skill sets, and methods used for crisis intervention. Students examine examples of these such as de-escalation, diffusion, negotiation, employment of multicultural perspectives, and crisis intervention teams (CITs).

Students in this course will review historical trends in and the evolution of probation and parole as applied in the U.S. criminal justice system. Course discussion topics will include community-based programs, such as work release, halfway houses, treatment centers, and therapeutic community centers. The course includes an examination of both adult and juvenile systems and the stakeholders in community corrections.

In this course, students will explore diversity in psychological theory, research, and practice from both a historical perspective as well as in the context of contemporary issues related to social justice. Students will analyze and apply principles, concepts, and psychological processes to their understanding of diversity and social justice. Topics include the analyses of social status and social categorization, privilege and oppression, power.