In-depth exploration of a particular historical question or topic: for example, the French Revolution, Chaucer's England, or the New Deal. Students should consult with the Department of History for a list of topics and instructors. Course meets the History major requirements for Group I, II, or III, depending on the topic.
Section Comments: Topic: Crime, Law and Justice in American History
Registration Approval Required. Contact Instructor or Academic Department for permission then register through Webcat.
Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.
Equivalent(s): HIST 497H, HIST 497W
Attributes: Scheduled meeting time, Online (no campus visits), Historical Perspectives(Disc), EUNH
Additional Course Details:
Crime, Law and Justice in American History
This class charts major developments in American law and the criminal justice system from the 1800s to present. Each week we will focus on a case study that illuminates the most pressing issues in law and crime for a particular era. Over the course of the semester, we will: probe how ideas about criminology, psychology, and forensic science developed; how the role of prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges and trials in general have changed; and the ways crime is defined and understood by the public over time. We will also pay attention to why crime has been so fascinating to generations of Americans, and how crime and the criminal justice system is portrayed in journalism, fiction, film, podcasts, and popular culture.
This is a synchronous online course that meets twice weekly. Students will need access to a computer, microphone, and camera to participate in this activity-based course.