University of Chicago at Illinois 2005 - 2007 Undergraduate Catalog

:

Department of Criminal Justice

B.A. with a Major in Criminal Justice Minor in Criminal Justice
Minor in Law and Society
Distinction

4022 Behavioral Sciences Building (BSB)
312–996–7971
http://www.uic.edu/depts/cjus
Administration: Interim Head, Joseph Peterson
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Gregory Matoesian, matoesian@uic.edu
Academic Advisor: Dwayne Alexander

Criminal justice is a social and behavioral science field of study that selects crime, law, and the criminal justice system for its subject matter. Using social science methodologies, the program examines the nature, extent, and causes of crime in various settings, the impact of crime on victims and society, and both formal and informal responses to crime. These responses include individual and community reactions, the investigation of crimes and arrest of offenders by the police, and their prosecution, defense, and adjudication by the courts; and an array of sentencing and correctional outcomes. The nature and effectiveness of criminal justice reform efforts are also studied.

The degree prepares graduates for a broad range of professional roles in the criminal justice system, as well as the broader legal system. It also serves as entry to graduate programs of criminal justice and related research and professional programs such as law, sociology, public administration, paralegal studies and various social services.

B.A. with a Major in Criminal Justice

Admission to the Major

Prior to declaring a major in Criminal Justice, students must achieve a grade of C or better in CRJ 101—Introduction to the Justice System.

Degree Requirements

To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from UIC, students must complete University, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Criminal Justice degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.

B.A. with a Major in Criminal Justice
Degree Requirements
Hours
LAS Course Requirements
43–64
Major Requirements
33
Electives
23–44
Minimum Total Hours—‑B.A. with a Major in
Criminal Justice
120

LAS Course Requirements

See Course Requirements in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for a list of courses to meet this requirement.

Major Requirements

Courses
Hours
CRJ 101—Introduction to the Justice System
3
CRJ 200—Law in Society
3
CRJ 210—Principles of Criminal Law
3
CRJ 220—Criminology
3
CRJ 240—Criminal Justice Organizations
3
CRJ 261—Research Methods I
3
CRJ 262—Research Methods IIa
3
     
One course from the following:
3
CRJ 345—Police in Society (3)
CRJ 350—Introduction to the Criminal Courts (3)
CRJ 355—Introduction to Corrections (3)
     
CRJ 301—Writing in the Disciplineb
0
Three courses at the 300- or 400-levelc
9
Total Hours—Major Requirements
33

a CRJ 262 also fulfills the LAS quantitative reasoning requirement.
b CRJ 301 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.
c Only 3 hours of CRJ 395 may count toward the degree.

Electives

Courses
Hours
Total Hours—Electives
23–44

Recommended Plan of Study

To view a recommended plan of study for the major in Criminal Justice, please visit the LAS Web site http://www.uic.edu/las/college/info/fygp.

Minor in Criminal Justice

Students from other disciplines who want to minor in criminal justice must complete 18 credit hours as outlined below:

Required Courses—Criminal Justice Minor
Hours
CRJ 101—Introduction to the Justice System
3
CRJ 200—Law in Society
3
CRJ 210—Principles of Common Law
3
CRJ 220—Criminology
3
CRJ 240—Criminal Justice Organizations
3
One course at the 300- or 400-level chosen with the
consent of the advisor
3
Total Hours—Criminal Justice Minor
18

Minor in Law and Society

Students from other disciplines who want to minor in law and society must complete 18 credit hours as outlined below:

Required Courses—Law and Society Minor
Hours
One course from the following:
3
PHIL 102—Introductory Logic (3)
PHIL 103—Introduction to Ethics (3)
ECON 120—Principles of Microeconomics (3)
ECON 121—Principles of Macroeconomics (3
     
One course from the following:
3
CRJ 101—Introduction to the Justice System (3)
POLS 101—‑Introduction to American Government
    and Politics (3)
     
Four courses from one of the following tracks:
12
   
Criminal Justice:
CRJ 110—Legal Rights and Responsibilities (3)
CRJ 210—Principles of Criminal Law (3)
CRJ 310—Substantive Criminal Law (3)
CRJ 311—Criminal Procedure (3)
   
Law in Social Context:
POLS 120—Introduction to Political Theory (3)
CRJ 200—Law in Society (3)
CRJ 220—Criminology (3)
CRJ 423—Violence (3)
CRJ 424—Gender, Crime, and Justice (3)
HIST 251—History of Race Relations in America (3)
HIST 404—Roman Law and the Civil Law
    Tradition (3)  
   
Public Law:
POLS 258—The Judicial Process (3)
POLS 353—Constitutional Law (3)
POLS 354—The Constitution and Civil Liberties (3)
     
Total Hours—Law and Society Minor
18

Courses in the student’s major may not be counted toward the Law and Society Minor. One class not included in the minor may be substituted for any course within a track with the consent of the law and society faculty advisor.

Distinction

Departmental Distinction. A candidate must have a 3.50/4.00 cumulative GPA in all criminal justice courses and a 3.25/4.00 cumulative GPA in all UIC courses.

High Distinction. A candidate must have a 3.50/4.00 cumulative GPA in all criminal justice courses, a 3.25/4.00 cumulative GPA in all UIC courses, and complete a paper written for CRJ 399—Independent Study, which will be reviewed by a faculty advisor and the Departmental Undergraduate Committee. Qualified students should contact the departmental undergraduate director two terms in advance of graduation.



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