Enhancing Social Justice Through Criminal Justice Teaching Methods

• In Event: Using Theory, Methods, and Other Resources to Enhance Teaching and Learning Practices

Abstract

This research explores whether criminal justice students are more likely to exhibit social justice attitudes and behaviors than other social science majors. Since many criminal justice students work in the fields of law enforcement, corrections, social work, and courts, it is important to ensure that students cannot only recognize inequality, but that they agree something should be done about it and are willing to engage in behaviors that work toward social justice. Survey data was collected from criminal justice, sociology, communications, gender studies, and psychology majors at a mid-sized Midwestern university. Results from the pilot project will be presented and methods for increasing social justice attitudes and behaviors will be discussed.

Author

• Melinda Roberts, University of Southern Indiana