Interdisciplinary Criminal Justice Education as a Pathway to Resolving Justice Issues

Abstract

This article contributes to the literature on interdisciplinary education in criminal justice, with a particular focus on how criminal justice courses can contribute more broadly to student understanding of complex issues of justice, including the interconnected systems that fall under a broad conceptualization of justice. To this end, the paper provides a case study of the development of an interdisciplinary criminal justice course focused on the complex and integrated issues of justice in rural America and climate change. The article starts with a brief overview of the relevant research on interdisciplinary criminal justice education as well as rural justice and climate justice. This is followed by a description of course development, learning objectives and assessments, and teaching challenges and successes. Finally, conclusions and avenues for future research are developed.