Many criminal justice academics and professionals are increasingly
arguing that public concern about crime is becoming more relevant to
policy-making than actual crime rates.  This course will focus on
Americans' knowledge of crime and justice and the myths that often
mis-lead the public and researchers of criminal justice issues.
Given that public opinion is important to criminal justice policy
making - as illustrated through periodic law and order messages in
political campaigns and politicians' usage of public opinion to
justify their stances on criminal justice policy issues - this
course will provide a timely analysis and will raise questions as to
whom is qualified to shape our local and national criminal justice
policy.

Texts:

Public Opinion, Crime, and Criminal Justice" by Julian V. Roberts
and Loretta Stalans, Boulder, CO:  Westview Press, 2000 ISBN 0-8133-
6793-X (pbk)

Custom reader

Class meeting:  5:45-7:00P, TR, SE 140

Instructor:  Scott McClelland, criminal justice department