Program Description
The Justice Studies program is an interdisciplinary program designed to give students a broad understanding of the justice system and issues related to the administration of justice. As a multi-disciplinary program, it will encompass those disciplines in the humanities and social sciences that are relevant to an understanding of justice. Courses from political science, sociology, law, philosophy, history, and other disciplines that contribute to a greater understanding of justice and of issues related to crime, corrections and the administration of justice, will be an integral part of the program. The program will prepare students for professional positions in the justice system or in justice-related agencies, as well as to seek graduate and professional degrees in law, public policy or other fields relevant to the administration of justice.
Justice Studies: Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, the student will:
∙ demonstrate writing, quantitative, and communication skills within the discipline.
∙ demonstrate the ability to analyze and critique professional literature.
∙ know and be able to apply theoretical and methodological approaches to justice studies ideas.
∙ demonstrate the ability to write competent papers, review the literature, and analyze primary sources.
Justice Studies Major Requirements
Core Courses Credit Hours
JUS 2301-Introduction to Justice Studies 3
JUS 2302-Writing & Research in Justice Studies I 3
JUS 3310-Police & Community 3
JUS 3337-Court Procedure & Evidence 3
JUS 3361-Juvenile Justice 3
JUS 4344-Corrections 3
JUS 4302-Research Methods in Justice Studies II 3
JUS 4342-Technological Analysis 3
JUS 4391-Intership in Justice Studies 3
Foreign Languate 1 & 2 6
Students must select one of the following Concentrations:
Concentration in Forensic Science & Criminology
Concentration in Global Justice & Law
Concentration in Social Justice & Policy
Concentration in Forensic Science & Criminology
This concentration focuses on the nature, causes and solutions for crime, primarily but not exclusively in the United States. The concentration also focuses on the functions, policies and procedure of forensic science. Courses in this concentration address the scientific method of gathering and examining information as it relates to law enforcement where forensics are done in relation to criminal or civil law.
All students in the Forensic Science and Criminology Concentration must take JUS 2310, Theories of Justice Studies and JUS 2320, Introduction to Forensic Science.
Students select five additional courses from the following. At least three of the five electives must have a JUS identifier.
Select five additional courses from the following:
JUS 2320 -Introduction to Forensic Science
JUS 2310 -Theories of Justice Studies
JUS 2318 -Introduction to Forensic Psychology
JUS 3339-Criminal Investigation
JUS 3347-Drugs, Crime, and Justice
JUS 3355-Criminal Law
ART 2311-3-D Computer Modeling
BIO 1305-Scientific Ethics
BIO 3315-Introduction to Neuroscience
BIO 3366-Genetics
CSC 3325-Introduction to Information Security
GEO 2315-Introduction to Geographic Information System
SOC 3347-Deviant Behavior
SOC 3353-Criminology
SOC 3354-Sociology of Mental Illness
SOC 4321-Group Dynamics
PHI 2303- Introduction to Logic
PHI 3302- Philosophy of Science
PSY 3306- Abnormal Behavior
PSY 3307- Social Psychology
PSY 3319-Psychology of Law
PSY 3329-Personality
Concentration in Global Justice & Law
This track explores issues of justice in global context. Most prominent among them are questions of security, equity and equality. It further guides students in engaging in intellectual thoughts and discussions in investigating social justice, inequality and violence among various groups globally. Courses in this track address the individual, group and state dimensions of these and related issues in a diverse set of policy areas including democratization, cultural identity, developmental, environmental protection, conflict resolution, human rights and the impact of the legal system.
All students in Track B must take JUS 3355 Criminal Law, and JUS 4322, Comparative Justice Systems.
Students select five additional courses from the following. At least three of the five elective courses must have a JUS identifier.
Select five additional courses from the following:
JUS 3336-The Judicial Process
JUS 3335-Justice Administration
JUS 3344-The Political Economy of Justice
JUS 3355-Criminal Law
JUS 3342-Comparative Justice Systems
JUS 3345-Strategic Approaches to Community Justice
JUS 3346-Sociology of Law
JUS 3382-Class, Race, Gender & Justice
JUS 4322-Contemporary Issues in Justice Studies
JUS 4330-Social Justice
JUS 4369-Constitutional Law
AAS 4302-Race and Economics in the USA
AAS 4301-Latin American Political Thought
AAS 5303-Conflict & Conflict Resolution in Africa
HIS 4320-Roman Justice
HIS 4328-Victorian Justice
HIS 3309-Black Revolutionary Movement
GER 3304-Public Policy of Aging
PHI 2302-Contemporary Moral Problems
POS 3326-Public Policy
POS 334-International Relations
POS 3371-Urban Politics
POS 4356-Black Political Thought
POS 4378-Western Political Thought
SOC 3343-Cultural Diversity
SOC 3344-Sex, Gender & Feminist Thought
SOC 4317-Urban Communities
SOC 4364-Race & Culture
Concentration in Social Justice & Policy
This track is designed to investigate what is fair, equitable and just for society. Emphasizing the oppression and liberation of vulnerable, exploited and marginalized populations, this curriculum promotes sustainable and just solutions to social, political and economic problems. Courses afford an opportunity to both consider such issues and ideas in addition to offering various resolutions of particular issues.
Students in Track C must take JUS 2310, Theories of Justice Studies and JUS 4330, Social Justice
Students select five additional courses from the following. At least three of the five electives must have a JUS identifier.
Select five additional courses from the following:
JUS 2310-Theories of Justice Studies
JUS 3335-Justice Administration
JUS 3342-Comparative Justice Systems
JUS 3344-The Political Economy of Justice
JUS 3345-Strategic Approaches to Community Justice
JUS 3346-Sociology of Law
JUS 3350-Victims and Justice
JUS 3382-Class, Race, Gender & Justice
JUS 4330-Social Justice
JUS 4322-Contemporary Issues in Justice Studies
JUS 4369-Constitutional Law
AAS 4302-Race and Economics in the USA
AAS 4301-Latin American Political Thought
GER 3304-Public Policy of Aging
PHI 2302-Contemporary Moral Problems
POS 3310-Legal, Political and Economic Aspects of Aging
POS 3326-Public Policy
POS 3331-Civil Rights
POS 3371-Urban Politics
SOC 3343-Cultural Diversity
SOC 4364-Race & Culture
Course Notes
*Students must take JUS 2302 before they can take JUS 4302
Minor Requirements
A minimum of 18 semester hours with a grade of “C” or higher in each course is required for a minor in Justice Studies. To satisfy the requirements for a minor, students must take JUS 2301 (Introduction to Justice Studies), which is a prerequisite to all other Justice Studies courses, as well as JUS 2302 (Research Methods in Justice Studies I). Students may choose any combination of other Justice Studies courses to fulfill the remaining 12-semester-hour requirement.
Courses Listings in Numerical Order
JUS 2301/Introduction to Justice Studies
JUS 2302/Research Methods in Justice Studies I
JUS 2310/Theories of Justice Studies*
JUS 2320/Introduction to Forensic Science*
JUS 3310/Police & Community
JUS 3335/Justice Administration
JUS 3336 /The Judicial Process*
JUS 3337/Court Procedure & Evidence
JUS 3342/Comparative Justice Systems Or JUS 4322/Contemporary Issues in Justice Studies
JUS 3344/The Political Economy of Justice Or JUS 3382/Class, Race, Gender & Justice
JUS 3345/Strategic Approaches to Community Justice
JUS 3346 /Sociology of Law*
JUS 334 7/Drugs, Crime, and Justice*
JUS 3350/Victims and Justice *
JUS 3355/Criminal Law
JUS 3361/Juvenile Justice
JUS 4302/Research Methods in Justice Studies II
JUS 4330/Social Justice*
JUS 4342/Technological Analysis
JUS 4344/Corrections
JUS 4369/Constitutional Law*
JUS 4391/Internship in Justice Studies
*Indicates JUS electives. JUS electives are not required but can be used as a part of the paradigm. The student who is enrolled in a JUS elective must successful pass the course with a “C” or higher.
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