Justice Studies Program

The Justice Studies major has two emphases. In the Criminal Justice Emphasis investigation of justice issues is centered on the criminal justice system. The Justice and Society Emphasis integrates study of a broader range of justice problems into student coursework and experience. Both emphases contain multidisciplinary coursework in order to provide students with the understandings and skills necessary for informed awareness of the impact of justice related agencies in our society, and with the ability to interact effectively within a variety of justice related settings.

As stated in the curricular proposal that provided the foundations of the Justice Studies program, the major seeks to fulfill the following goals for criminal justice education in a liberal arts context.

• To provide a foundation for professional development of pre-service and in-service personnel.
• To orient students toward a systematic perspective of the criminal justice system.
• To develop a citizenry educated in the problems of crime and in the administration of justice.
• To develop understanding of the causes of crime and societal responses to it.
• To emphasize the ethical and moral standards involved in decision-making and criminal justice activities.
• To prepare future leaders both in the academic and applied setting.
• To study criminal justice in the context of larger justice issues and with attention to the total environment in which the system operates.
• To advance knowledge about the design, evolution, operation, and maintenance of justice system.
• To induce students to think about issues in criminal justice and to develop professional attitudes and patterns of behavior.
• To establish academic credentials to be emphasized more in the future than experience.
• To provide an up-to-date understanding of law, human behavior, and social institutions.
• To develop awareness of the field as a recognized academic discipline.
• To upgrade the quality of service provided by personnel and criminal justice agencies.
• To sensitize students to national differences in criminal justice systems. To introduce students to comparative perspectives on justice systems.
• To emphasize the relevance of literature and research to practice in the field.

The multi-disciplinary justice studies curriculum complements majors such as sociology, political science, anthropology, philosophy, history, public administration and social work. It is an excellent choice for those interested in careers in public service, corrections, mediation and labor relations, law enforcement, social service, or fields dealing with children and adolescence.

The minor requires a total of 16, and the major a total of 51 semester hours in specific courses selected from several liberal arts departments. Twelve hours of specified General Education courses serve as an introduction to the major, and eight hours of research methods are required of all students. Within the program students may then choose core courses and cognates leading to either the Criminal Justice Emphasis or the Justice and Society Emphasis.

In the Criminal Justice Emphasis investigation of justice issues is centered on the criminal justice system. The Justice and Society Emphasis integrates the study of a broad range of justice problems into student coursework and experience.

Program Director

Pamela Jackson Professor Sociology Department   Craig-Lee Hall 458 (401) 456-8026 (401) 456-8734 pjackson@ric.edu