Course ID
035686
Course Description
This course will explore the theories of criminal punishment in the context of examining the historical evolution of sentencing policies and procedures in this nation. We will focus particularly on the period of the mid-1980 to the present and the advent
and role of mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment and determinate sentencing
guidelines in dramatically increasing the population of incarcerated offenders. We will endeavor to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of such practices in protecting the public, deterring crime, and achieving justice for victims in an era of increasing
competition for scarce tax dollars. We then will undertake to propose and weigh alternatives to incarceration for punishing various groups of offenders. The ultimate purpose of this course will be for each student to determine whether our current incarceration policies should be continued or, if not, what other alternatives should be considered or pursued.
and role of mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment and determinate sentencing
guidelines in dramatically increasing the population of incarcerated offenders. We will endeavor to evaluate the effectiveness and sustainability of such practices in protecting the public, deterring crime, and achieving justice for victims in an era of increasing
competition for scarce tax dollars. We then will undertake to propose and weigh alternatives to incarceration for punishing various groups of offenders. The ultimate purpose of this course will be for each student to determine whether our current incarceration policies should be continued or, if not, what other alternatives should be considered or pursued.
Min Units
2
Max Units
3
Repeatable for Credit
No
Grading Basis
ALT - Alternative Grading +/- A,B,C,D,E,S,P,F
Career
Law
Course Requisites
May be convened with
Component
Lecture
Optional Component
No