This course will explore the definition, history and types of American based gangs and some globalized gangs. The course will seek to connect lecture and text with real world events. Classroom activities and discussion will be emphasized with the objective of assisting the student in understanding and evaluating his/her own beliefs and values concerning the topic of gangs. This course will include the study of gangs, guest speakers involved in this field of work, simulation and discussion. Gang prevention, intervention and interdiction strategies will be covered and assessed as community strategies to gang problems. As a result, students should have a better overall understanding of the gang issues that confront American society from the individual to the societal level.