NCJ Number
110805
Journal
Justice Professional Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1988) Pages: 126-143
Date Published
1988
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This paper focuses on the challenge of preparing students adequately for a law enforcement career.
Abstract
The influence of the philosophies of idealism, realism, existentialism, and pragmatism on criminal justice education are discussed. The authors suggest that pragmatism is the most appropriate philosophical underpinning for criminal justice education and describe an assignment based on learning theories related to pragmatism. The assignment, 'The Final Crime,' involves students in a simulation of a police investigation. In groups, students receive a report of a crime, make a crime scene investigation, discover clues, and pursue a criminal investigation. The activity incorporates several related learning theories. The principles of andragogy (adult learning) are utilized as the students participate in experiential learning. Principles of cooperative learning are also applied. Students are successful only if positive interdependence is developed within their groups. The appropriate use of simulation is also discussed and applied in the paper. (Author abstract)