Course Description

Comparative criminal justice is the study of the criminal justice systems of other countries. This can be done as an end in itself , but more often it is a means. Comparative studies can be highly specific (i.e. What technology do the police of Sydney, Australia use to support their community policing programs?) or they can be more general (i.e. What is the difference between the adversarial system of criminal justice found in the U.S. and the inquisitorial system found in Europe?). Generally, comparativists do their work with one or more of the following goals in mind: A) Extending the range of alternative possibilities, B) Developing more powerful insights into human behavior, C) Increasing the likelihood of successful reform, and D) Gaining perspectives on ourselves as human beings. In this session, we will examine the way in which the Chinese police handle minor offenses and look at a study comparing U.S. and European crime statistics.