Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Students participating in this course will study the history and impact of prejudice, discrimination and racism with-in the criminal justice system. Students will learn the importance of relating to all segments of the communities they serve in a fair and unbiased manner. The knowledge of various populations will enhance the quality of criminal justice services, individual officer safety, and increase the understanding and empathy in the process of improving criminal justice services-citizen contacts.
Special Note : This course is required for all criminal justice certificate, degree and transfer students.

Students who have successfully completed this course will be able to:

1) Communicate with individuals using verbal and non-verbal methods that recognize diverse cultures, ethnic groups and non-traditional populations.

2) Assess social problems and their dynamics within a multicultural context using critical thinking skills.

3) Perform functions in a criminal justice profession with respect for diversity and the negative impact of racial profiling and discrimination on society.

At the beginning of the course, the instructor will detail the methods used to assess student performance and progress, as well as the criteria for the student's final grade. Methods of assessment will include the following: examinations, quizzes, an interview assignment report, research papers, class participation, oral presentations and group activities.

This course will address topics that include, but are not limited to:

1. Multicultural communities: Challenges for criminal justice agencies
2. The changing criminal justice profession: A microcosm of society
3. Multicultural representation in criminal justice: Recruitment, Retention and Promotion
4. Protected and Non-Protected class status, Civil Rights Act, ADA, Sexual Harassment & EEOC
5. Male, Female, Sexual Orientation, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans-gender issues*
6. Cross-cultural communication for criminal justice agencies
7. Criminal Justice contact with Asian/Pacific Americans*
8. Criminal Justice contact with African Americans*
9. Criminal Justice contact with European Americans*
10. Criminal Justice contact with Latino/Hispanic Americans*
11. Criminal Justice contact with Arab Americans and other Middle Eastern groups*
12. Criminal Justice contact with American Indians*
13. Criminal Justice contact with Class stratification, Homeless, Emotionally/Mentally Ill Persons, and Gangs*
14. Multicultural law enforcement’s role in terrorism and Homeland Security
15. Criminal Justice image, cultural sensitivity and professionalism
16. CARE Approach (Compassionate, Attentive, Responsive and Eclectic) concept in problem solving strategies in a diverse workforce, society and environment

*These groups are receiving significant discussion for one or more of the following reasons: (1) the group is a relatively large ethnic or racial group in the United States, (2) the traditional culture of the group differs widely from that of mainstream American culture, or (3) typically or historically there have been documented problems between the particular group and the criminal justice system/society.