INDIVIDUAL COURSE

Criminal Justice Matters

What do you consider justice? What constitutes a fair prison sentence? Explore what constitutes a crime, why we punish, and what has changed over time (or not), as we identify different types of criminal behavior, the characteristics of criminal offenders and victims, and the strengths and weaknesses of our criminal justice system.

Instructor:

AT A GLANCE

GRADE LEVELGrades 9-12CAMPUSLEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAMPUSUniversity of Texas at AustinFIELD OF STUDYLaw & Government/Psychology & Social ScienceCOURSE TYPEINDIVIDUAL COURSEDATES6/29/2025 - 7/18/2025 (3 Weeks)COURSE TIMESAfternoon

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CAMPUS

University of Texas at Austin

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Course Description

Students will uncover the dynamics between victim and offender, the social/behavioral contexts of certain crimes, and will gain the analytical tools necessary to understand crime, law, and deviance in the U.S. Using basic theories of criminal punishment, students will examine specific procedures of the criminal justice system and learn how city crime rates are measured through police data, self-reported data, and victimization data. Students will leave this course understanding the goals of the criminal justice system and the opportunities that might exist for change and reform.