CRJS 6990 01: CJ Public Policy Seminar

CRJS 6990 - Criminal Justice Public Policy Seminar

Summer 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 30963,

Credit hours: 3

Course Meeting Times

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Instructor

Dr. Latricia Kyle

Professional Qualifications:
Ph.D., Public Policy & Administration; Specialization in Criminal Justice, Walden University
Master’s, Criminal Justice, University of Phoenix
Bachelor’s, Criminal Justice, University of Louisiana at Monroe
Associate, Criminal Justice, Northeast Louisiana University

Full Time Lecturer

Email: llkyle@ysu.edu

Office: Virtual

Office Phone: (469) 322-9685

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Course Description

6990. Criminal Justice Public Policy Seminar. Types of policy and how policies are formulated are covered. The evaluation of policy, with attention to what constitutes good public policy. Special attention is given to the impact of crime control policies, particularly crime legislation and current laws. 3 s.h.

Course Readings

Group Title Author ISBN
Required Flawed Criminal Justice Policies: At the Intersection of the Media, Public Fear & Legislative Response (2026) Third Edition Frances P. Reddington & Gene Bonham Jr. 9781531032494

Read Chapter 1:  Criminal Justice Policy: At the Intersection of the Media, Public Fear and Legislative Response 

Read Chapter 2:  Police and the Use of Force: Dilemmas in Policymaking 

Read Chapter 3:  Beyond the Barricade: Discussion as De-escalation 

Read Chapter 4:   The History of Immigration Law, Police Enforcement, andPolitical Fervor: A Back-and-Forth Struggle 

Read Chapter 5:  Rule Regarding Prosecutors’ Duty to Disclose Favorable Evidence to the Defenses 

Read Chapter 6: Plea Bargaining a Flawed Necessity

Read Chapter 7:  Digital Justice: The Judiciary’s Evolving Role in Online Sex Trafficking Cases 

Read Chapter 8:  Solitary Confinement 

Read Chapter 9:  The Death Penalty, Ultimate Punishment or Failed Public Policy 

Read Chapter 10: Prison and Jail Visitation Policies "Who are you really punishing?"  Fifty years of Flawed Correctional Visitation Policies and Practices 

Read Chapter 11:  Pregnancy and Mothering Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Mothers 

Read Chapter 12:  Second Chances Denied? The Hidden Challenges of Juvenile Aftercare 

Read Chapter 13:  Examination of Concealed Carry on College Campuses 

Read Chapter 14:  Faulty Sex Offense Policies 

Read Chapter 15:  The Criminal Legal System and the LGBTQ+ Community

The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.  

Additional Course Materials

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Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals

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How to Succeed in This Course

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Attendance Expectations

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Late Work Submission Policy

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Additional Course Expectations

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Artificial Intelligence Policy Statement

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Assignments/Assessments

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University Policies

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CRJS 6990 Criminal Justice Public Policy Seminar

Week of Reading(s) Proposed Topic Due/To Prepare for Class
5/11 Read Chapter 1: Criminal Justice Policy: At the Intersection of the Media, Public Fear and Legislative Response
Read Chapter 2: Police and the Use of Force: Dilemmas in Policymaking
The role of media framing and public fear in shaping criminal justice policy agendas and legislative responses. Discussion 1 (due 05/18/2026) Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday of this week
Quiz #1 due 05/18/2026
5/18 Read Chapter 3: Beyond the Barricade: Discussion as De-escalation
Read Chapter 4: The History of Immigration Law, Police Enforcement, andPolitical Fervor: A Back-and-Forth Struggle
Political influence on immigration law, enforcement priorities, and bureaucratic implementation. Discussion # 2: due 05/24/2026 Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday of this week
Quiz #2 05/24/2026
5/25 Read Chapter 5: Rule Regarding Prosecutors’ Duty to Disclose Favorable Evidence to the Defenses
Read Chapter 6: Plea Bargaining a Flawed Necessity
Prosecutorial ethics, due process rights, and disclosure requirements. Discussion # 3: due 06/01/2026 Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday of this week
Quiz 3: due 06/01/2026
6/1 Read Chapter 7: Digital Justice: The Judiciary’s Evolving Role in Online Sex Trafficking Cases
Read Chapter 8: Solitary Confinement
Correctional policy, mental health impacts, and constitutional concerns. Midway Exam: due 06/08/2026
Written Assignment: due 06/08/2026
6/8 Read Chapter 9: The Death Penalty, Ultimate Punishment or Failed Public Policy
Read Chapter 10: Prison and Jail Visitation Policies “Who are you really punishing?” Fifty Years of Flawed Correctional Visitation Policies and Practices
Capital punishment policy effectiveness, deterrence, and fairness. Discussion 4: due 06/15/2026 Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday of this week
Quiz 5: due June 15, 2026
6/15 Read Chapter 11: Pregnancy and Mothering Behind Bars: The Struggles of Incarcerated Mothers
Read Chapter 12: Second Chances Denied? The Hidden Challenges of Juvenile Aftercare
Gender-responsive correctional policy and maternal incarceration outcomes. Discussion 5: due 06/22/2026 Initial response due by Thursday and 2 responses to peers by Saturday
Quiz 6: due 06/22/2026
6/22 Read Chapter 13: Examination of Concealed Carry on College Campuses
Read Chapter 14: Faulty Sex Offense Policies
Read Chapter 15: The Criminal Legal System and the LGBTQ+ Community
Sex offender registration laws and unintended policy consequences. Final Exam due 06/28/2026

The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.