Belize Program - JA-596-01- CJ Studies in Belize

Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Course Description:

This course is designed to introduce the student to comparative, cross-cultural studies in juvenile and criminal justice though a non-traditional approach to learning.

The course entails regular meetings throughout the semester to consider various cross-cultural aspects of Belize and the United States. Theses meetings are of two types: meeting of the Justice Administration students as a group and as part of the broader contingency of students from other disciplines participating in the project.  One of the important aspects of the project is to demonstrate the multi and disciplinary nature of criminology/criminal justice and the problems-oriented approach to working in the field.

The particular focus of the  Service Learning Program changes each year depending upon issues to be addressed and countries involved. In 1997, the focus in Barbados was on comparing the justice system of Barbados and the United States through observing and participating in programs relating to community policing, the court system, probation, parole and institutional corrections. In 1999, the students focused on drug education and reduction

The projects for 2000 & 2003 in Belize were directed toward crime prevention and community justice. Students participated in program development and planning efforts relating community efforts to prevent and respond to crime/delinquency at the local level in the city of Dangriga, Belize. In 2004 the plan was to focus on reducing the fear of crime among tourist, reduction of criminal opportunity, community assessment and understanding corrections in Belize. The 2005 & 2006 programs continued the same theme as in 2004 with a particular interest in the judicial system and domestic violence.

Course Goals

To provide students an opportunity to enrich their understanding of the multi-interdisciplinary nature of the field through participating in a community planning project in Dangriga, Belize City and Belmopan, Belize. Students will meet with criminal justice professionals in law enforcement, the courts, juvenile justice, corrections, domestic violence and the schools. 

Course Objectives:

• To provide students an opportunity to become familiar with the history and culture of Belize with a particular focus on community and crime control and crime reduction programs.
• To provide students an opportunity to understand community crime prevention and community justice programs and their applicability in another culture.
• To provide students an opportunity to understand community crime prevention and community justice planning and development efforts through a service learning approach in Dangriga, Belize.

 Course Activities:

The interdisciplinary group will meet to consider broad issues relating to Belize. In addition, students in Justice Administration will meet as a group to develop plans for the time in Belize. Each student will select a topic of relevance and interest. The student will research this topic and gain an understanding of "Best Practices" in the United States. The student will also conduct an inquiry into the nature of the problem or practice in Belize. these research efforts occur before going to the country. While in Belize, the student will be given an opportunity to meet wiht persons working in the selected area. This encounter will focus on the student sharing his/her research and learning from the practicing professional in Belize. The intent is to share "Best Practices" and relate these to an understanding or similarities and differences between the US and Belize. Upon returning to UofL, the student prepares a term paper in which this experience is reported.

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