NCJ Number
130354
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Education Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1991) Pages: 15-44
Date Published
1991
Length
30 pages
Annotation
Thornberry's concept of cultural literacy in criminology is applied to the field of criminal justice education.
Abstract
A general understanding of the field of criminal justice is necessary for a complete understanding of the system's current development. Students must also become familiar with criminal justice concepts and policy, police and law enforcement, the adjudicatory process, punishment, sentencing, and corrections. Available literature to fill the cultural literacy gap in criminal justice education is cited to serve as a curriculum guide for graduate criminal justice education. Students are also advised that several government and private organizations are particularly useful sources of research information, including the National Institute of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Police Foundation, the Police Executive Research Forum, the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, and the Rand Corporation. Although Thornberry may not have had the final word on cultural literacy, his initiation of discussion on the subject will be especially valuable if it leads others to define more precisely what constitutes the core literature of criminology and criminal justice education. 260 references and 7 tables