Interdisciplinary Minor

The minor in Justice, Law and Society provides an interdisciplinary study of justice, law, civil liberties, crime and ethics in both domestic and global contexts, from a variety of social sciences and humanities perspectives. The Minor explores a range of topics, such as social control, variant behaviors, legal processes and human rights, as well as crime ranging from street violence to complex organizational crime. The Minor is open to students with various majors and encourages them to: explore theoretical explanations of justice, law, civil rights, and criminal activities; and to use an array of research tools to study incidence, prevention, and reduction policies associated with American and international legal systems.

The minor prepares students for post-graduate study at more than 30 Ph.D. and 100 Master’s and certificate programs here in the U.S. Juris Doctor programs (law school) or combined law and Master’s programs in criminology may also be of interest to students with this minor.

Students seeking entry level positions in law firms, advocacy organizations, government, non-profits, and social service agencies involved with the administration of justice will find the Justice, Law and Society minor has provided useful theoretical and practical concepts.

Justice, Law & Society Minor Requirements

This interdisciplinary minor consists of seven courses (28 credits).

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Core Courses		8
SOC 101	Intro to Sociology
SOC 240	Criminology
Select 1 Criminology Course From Below		4
SOC 340	Victimology
SOC 341	Variant Behavior
SOC 342	Sociology of Punishment
SOC 343	Women, Crime & the Crim. Justice System
SOC 344	Sociology of Gangs
SOC 340	Victimology
SOC 347	Juvenile Delinq & Social Welfr
Select 1 Sociology Course From Below (Can Not Use A Criminiology Course Chosen Above)		4
SOC 221	Social Inequalities
SOC 340	Victimology
SOC 341	Variant Behavior
SOC 342	Sociology of Punishment
SOC 343	Women, Crime & the Crim. Justice System
SOC 344	Sociology of Gangs
SOC 483	Field Experience in Social Welfare
SOC 484	Field Experience in Social Welfare
Select 3 Courses From Below		12
ANT 109	Intro to Geographic Information Systems
ANT 275	Prisons, Punishment, and Social Control
ANT 340	Inside-Out
BUS 303	Legal Environment of Business
POL 202	Justice, Power, and Political Thought
POL 320	Law and Society
POL 323	Constitutional Law
POL 374	International Organization & Law
PHL 210	Introduction to Political Philosophy
PHL 225	Ethical Theory
PHL 300	Business Ethics
PHL 303	Environmental Ethics
PHL 325	Biomedical Ethics
PHL 335	Philosophy of Law
Total Credits		28

 Some Special Topics courses may be used to meet Criminology and/or Additional Sociology Course options as well as electives with approval from the director.

Rachel M. Durso, Director