Women's work?: The contradictory implications of courses on women and the criminal justice system

Abstract

In this article we explore the contradictory implications of special courses on women and the criminal justice system for integrating gender issues into the criminal justice curriculum. First, we explore the consequences of the exclusion of women from the general criminal justice curriculum. Second, we describe the development of special courses on women and criminal justice, and evaluate their strengths. Third, we discuss the disadvantages of courses on women and criminal justice, particularly the ways such courses may increase the marginalization of gender issues in criminal justice. Finally, we suggest strategies for integrating gender issues into the broader criminal justice curriculum.