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CJS 318 Women, Crime, and Justice

This course will be comprised of material on three main topics: women as offenders, women as victims of gendered violence, and women working in the criminal justice system. Women's involvement in criminal activity has been ignored by traditional criminological theories/theorists. This course will examine the frequency and nature of women's involvement along with the more modern theories which we can use to understand these phenomena. Students will also learn about the issues surrounding gendered violence including stalking, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Finally, students will learn about the special issues surrounding women's work in the traditionally male-dominated fields of corrections and law enforcement.
4 Undergraduate credits

Effective May 5, 2021 to present

Meets graduation requirements for

Learning outcomes

General

  • Review research and theory that highlights the gendered nature of crime.
  • Evaluate classical and contemporary criminological theories and their applicability to crime and victimization involving women and girls.
  • Examine the social and cultural construction of gender in realtion to crime, victimization, and the criminal justice system.
  • Evaluate responses to crime and victimization involving women and girls
  • Demonstrate and improve critical thinking and communication skills.
  • Explain the history of women working in the criminal justice system and the challenges to women working in the system.
  • Examine the experiences of women of color in the criminal justice system and the intersectionality of gender with race and class.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

Goal 5: History and the Social and Behavioral Sciences

  • Employ the methods and data that historians and social and behavioral scientists use to investigate the human condition.
  • Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.
  • Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
  • Develop and communicate alternative explanations or solutions for contemporary social issues.