In this course, students examine the factors that lead some juveniles to engage in criminal or antisocial behavior as well as ways to intervene in the process and outcome. They consider the biological, psychological, and sociological factors in juvenile delinquency as well as modern trends in prevention and treatment. Through traditional literature and interactive learning modules, students explore the concept of juvenile justice and consider the proper age that society should hold a juvenile criminally responsible as well as the age that juveniles should be tried as adults.

Books, movies, and television programs about crime, particularly those that feature criminals and trials, have been popular for decades. But there's more to criminal law than the theatrics that media often features. In this course, students examine the concepts and principles related to criminal law. They engage in discussions and assignments designed to provide practical application on a variety of topics, including domestic and international crimes, criminal defense, punishment, and sentencing.

The pathways through the judicial process begin with choices—from a decision to arrest through the pursuit of a case in the system. In this course, students analyze and apply information about the components of the judicial system, including their structure, function, and processes. Students examine the professional roles within the system and learn how the system selects these figures. They learn about judicial conduct and professional standards and apply these concepts to examples of judicial behavior. Students also analyze issues related to the courts and judicial process in an increasingly diverse society and consider these in regard to future trends, such as in cases and legal claims.

All criminal justice professionals must understand the methods of extracting and using data and research—a critical function lending to the responsibilities of all roles in the system, including law enforcement, crime prevention, sentencing, and corrections. Students in this course explore how professionals apply basic statistical principles and research methods to contemporary criminal justice problems and issues in court, law enforcement, and correctional settings. Students learn how to evaluate data and research, represent data using graphs, and present data using statistical measures. They also consider ethical issues related to criminal justice research and technological advancements that influence current and future criminal justice data analysis and research.

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.