Readings in Cultural Diversity and Criminal Justice

Readings in Cultural Diversity and Criminal Justice presents students with a collection of scholarly, interdisciplinary articles and invites them to critically examine the importance of cultural diversity within the criminal justice system.

The book is divided into five parts. Part I consists of introductory articles that discuss colorism, the origins of racism, and how the media perpetuates racial stereotypes. In Part II, students read articles devoted to theory that advance their understanding of the intersections of diversity, racism, and crime. Part III focuses on the areas of policing, prosecution, and punishment. Part IV includes readings that address issues of cultural diversity within corrections and correctional settings. The articles in the final part speak to school discipline rates in the U.S., the dynamics of racial anxiety and the advantages enjoyed by most whites, and the avoidance of integration across the political spectrum. Throughout, post-reading questions encourage reflection, discussion, and further exploration of the material.

Readings in Cultural Diversity and Criminal Justice is an ideal supplementary text for courses in criminology, criminal justice, and related disciplines.

Lee E. Ross is Professor of Criminal Justice within the College of Community Innovation and Education at the University of Central Florida. A graduate of Rutgers University, his research spans a variety of areas, from his seminal work on religion and social control theory to more recent explorations into domestic violence and the criminal justice system. His scholarship can be found in a variety of academic journals, including Justice Quarterly, Journal of Criminal Justice, Journal of Crime and Justice, Journal of Criminal Justice Education, International Journal of Criminal and Forensic Sciences, Sociological Focus, and Law Enforcement Executive Forum, among others.