Social Science (SS) – CJ 1010

Introduction to Criminal Justice

This course introduces students to the foundational systems of criminal justice in the United States, examining how deviance, enforcement, and punishment are shaped by power and perception. Students explore key concepts, institutional structures, and the social patterns behind who gets charged, convicted, and incarcerated. Topics include racial, gender, and economic bias in the justice process, as well as the historical evolution of courts, policing, and corrections.

Signature Assignment: Critical Thinking Essay

This essay argues that police brutality and the death penalty are not separate failures, but extensions of the same system of enforcement. Through formal analysis and cited research, the work examines how both practices represent state power—not justice—and disproportionately harm marginalized communities.

Reflection