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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Hot Topics in Criminal Justice by Vanderbilt University

4.6
stars
174 ratings

About the Course

The American criminal justice system is in need of reform. We incarcerate too many people. We pay insufficient attention to scientific advances that can help separate out the most and least culpable and dangerous. We grant the police far too much power to use force and technological surveillance. As a way of thinking about dealing with these problems, this course examines two over-arching issues: What should we do with people who have committed crime, and how should we identify who they are? On the first issue, we will look closely at the nature and causes of mass incarceration, the death penalty, the lawfulness and usefulness of preventive detention and risk assessment, and the role of the insanity defense and neuroscience in assessing responsibility for crime. On the second issue, we will explore the laws regulating the police use of force, the growing role of technology and big data in facilitating police surveillance and detection and deterrence of crime, and the remedies for police malfeasance, including the exclusionary rule and damages actions. The overall goal is to help thinking individuals assess today’s criminal justice system and consider ways of making it better. After completing this course, participants should be able to: 1. Describe the mass incarceration problem in the United States and why it might exist; 2. Suggest ways of reducing incarceration; 3. Criticize risk assessment instruments and their use in preventive detention schemes; 4. Discuss the pros and cons of the death penalty, the exclusionary rule, and the insanity defense; 5. Analyze the relevance of neurological evidence in a criminal case; 6. Identify some of the reasons innocent people are wrongly convicted; 7. Elaborate on the role race plays at sentencing and in police use of force, stop and frisk and consent searches and 8. List the types of surveillance technology available to police and the constitutional principles that govern their use....

Top reviews

MR

Jul 3, 2023

The course was well designed, delivered and included important topics of US Criminal Justice. The learning was enjoyable as well as kind of depressing (because of the subject matter).

AS

Jan 24, 2020

Highly engaging and interesting! Absolutely loved learning this :) [although keep in mind if you want to get the certificate, it may take a while due to the need for multiple peer reviews]

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26 - 50 of 58 Reviews for Hot Topics in Criminal Justice

By Jan R S

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May 2, 2021

Great lecturer an course! So much knowledge put into a limited number of hours. Extremely satisfied. Highly recommended!

By Dikshitha M 1

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Sep 7, 2020

It was interesting and I learnt my things .The professor has been very clear on everything he explains.

By Wai Y I H

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Mar 7, 2021

The course is well designed, and the purpose of the assessment are very clear.

By Bethany P

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Apr 20, 2021

really good course, informative and interesting- well structured.

By Dhriti T

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Aug 21, 2020

This course is helpful to learn the criminal concepts.

By IS

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Aug 22, 2020

Super interesting, easy, well developed.. i loved it

By Anne L T

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Sep 7, 2020

This course is one of my favourite

By Douglas H N

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Aug 21, 2020

Its a good choice!

By Soewita S

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Mar 17, 2021

Dear Sirs, I have completed Peers week 1 and Peers week 2 well in advance, but I need a Peers review for week 3, but nothing (lacking) how to do it, tq

By Michael M J

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Oct 28, 2021

I finished the class submitted my work but there are no other students to review my work or work for me to review. So even though I paid for the certificate I can not complete the reviews. Which are required to get the certificate. I enjoyed the class and learned a lot. I just want the certificate I paid for.

By Deleted A

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Aug 19, 2023

The topics covered in this course were diverse and very informative. Although I have been involved in criminal law for a few years now, there was insight and information I found helpful. It compared the American model to the European Model, which is a great help when exploring options difficult to ascertain under the American criminal justice system.

By Fernando A

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Sep 23, 2024

An extremely well put together/architected course. Professor Christopher Slobogin taught all the lectures masterfully and knew how to harmonize one topic with another, so that the entire course flows naturally. Excellent teaching! The questions/quizzes also make the course interesting. All in all, a course that is VERY worth it.

By Michael B

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Oct 7, 2021

This class provides a great introduction to and discussion of a myriad of important contemporary legal topics.  I audited the course and found that it provided a solid examination of significant areas of the law and was fairly up to date on current issues in the field.

By valorie h

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Oct 18, 2021

Fascinating course. Police work can be so confusing. I don't know how they do it! Very informative and now I know what to do next time I am stopped by the police!

By Fabiana D M V

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Nov 28, 2021

Temas muy interesantes y útiles para la justicia criminal americana actual. Muy buen curso.

By Nimra M

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Apr 29, 2022

It was such a interesting course. learned alot of new things.

By Raheel A

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Aug 26, 2022

it was so knowled full and it is so fantastically designed.

By Varsha E

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Jun 28, 2024

Great explaination .. Meticulous understanding

By Joseph B

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Mar 7, 2023

Great course. I liked the professor Slobogin.

By Isabel W

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Jun 27, 2021

This course was extremely insightful and fun!

By Mohammed A A

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Jan 17, 2022

thank you very much ...

By Roos

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Aug 27, 2022

Very interesting!

By SARABESHWARAN S

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Sep 3, 2024

Very informative

By alessandro p

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Nov 3, 2022

ottimo corso

By ELISANDRO P D C

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Oct 4, 2024

Excelente