Criminology is an interdisciplinary science that focuses on law and its interpretation by the courts, patterns in crime, the explanation of deviant and criminal behaviour, and society’s reaction to law-breaking. The program introduces students to criminal law, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and case-law decisions made by the courts. Students will examine in separate courses the three main components of the criminal justice system—police, courts and corrections—that form an organized response to crime. The program addresses the trends and correlates of crime, including the influences of age, ethnicity, gender, and social class. The major explanations for crime try to account for these patterns by looking at historical, individual and social causes. The criminological focus is broadened with courses from other disciplines in the Social Sciences and Humanities. The program aims to provide students with conceptual, critical and applied skills to work in fields where a legal/justice focus is beneficial. The curriculum emphasizes development of professional and applied skills though training in professional ethics, conflict mediation, use of information technology for researching relevant topics, writing, presenting data, and working in small groups on specific tasks. In fourth year, Criminology Majors have the option of either conducting an applied research project or participating in a field placement. Although the core of the curriculum is centered on justice-related issues, students will find the degree program applies equally to areas in the private sector where research competence, project management, legal analysis and communication skills are essential. Students interested in pursuing a B. A. with a Major in Criminology will be required to submit an application to enter the third year of the degree. Students who have completed a Diploma in Criminology or the equivalent, or have completed all but six credits towards their diploma, may apply for admission. Students who successfully complete the first two years of the diploma program with a minimum program cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 may apply to receive a diploma. Admission to the Major in Criminology is competitive and based on GPA in the Diploma. A Minor will interest students wishing to include a criminological aspect to their declared Major or other declared Minor. The lower level requirements will provide students with a foundation in several key areas of the discipline including criminological theory, Canadian law, the Canadian criminal justice system, and criminological research. Access to all of the upper level criminology courses, with the exception of the Field Placement courses (CRIM 474 and CRIM 475), will allow students to concentrate their studies in a particular area of interest (e.g. law) or gain exposure to a wide range of topics related to the discipline. Students who successfully complete the requirements for a Minor in Criminology with a minimum program cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 will receive a Minor.

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