2014-2015 University Catalog

Criminology, Law and Society, BA

Banner Code: LA-BA-CLS

The BA in criminology, law and society provides students with the opportunity to acquire a broader liberal arts education while studying criminology, law and society. The BA degree prepares students for careers in a range of justice, social service, and human services fields. It also provides a strong background for law school or graduate study in criminal justice or criminology.

Students may use up to 18 credits of approved ADJ courses taken at Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) or comparable courses at another community college to fulfill the requirements detailed below. Once a student matriculates at Mason, no courses may be taken at another institution without prior written approval from the program and the dean.

This program of study is offered by the Department of Criminology, Law and Society .

For policies governing all undergraduate degrees, see the Academic Policies section of the catalog.

Degree Requirements

Students must fulfill all requirements for bachelor’s degrees , including Mason Core requirements. Students pursuing a BA in criminology, law and society must complete additional college requirements for the BA degree in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Students pursuing this degree must complete 42 credits within the major, with a minimum GPA of 2.00.

Five core courses (15 credits)

CRIM 100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Credits: 3
CRIM 306 - Criminal Justice Ethics Credits: 3
CRIM 315 - Research Methods and Analysis in Criminology Credits: 3
CRIM 424 - Constitutional Law: Criminal Process and Rights Credits: 3
CRIM 495 - Capstone in Criminology, Law and Society Credits: 3

Nine elective courses (27 credits) chosen from:

CRIM 210 - Introduction to Criminology Credits: 3
CRIM 220 - Introduction to Law and Society Credits: 3
CRIM 230 - Introduction to Homeland Security Credits: 3
CRIM 301 - Public Law and the Judicial Process Credits: 3 or
GOVT 301 - Public Law and the Judicial Process
Credits: 3
CRIM 302 - Delinquency Credits: 3
CRIM 304 - Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing Credits: 3 or
IT 357 - Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing
Credits: 3
CRIM 305 - Crime and Crime Policy Credits: 3
CRIM 307 - Social Inequality, Crime, and Justice Credits: 3
CRIM 308 - Human Rights and Justice Credits: 3
CRIM 310 - Introduction to the Intelligence Community Credits: 3
CRIM 312 - Intelligence Analysis Techniques Credits: 3
CRIM 320 - Crime and Place Credits: 3
CRIM 400 - Applied Criminal Psychology Credits: 3
CRIM 401 - Policing in America Credits: 3
CRIM 402 - Punishment and Corrections Credits: 3
CRIM 403 - Community Corrections Credits: 3
CRIM 404 - Crime Victims and Victimization Credits: 3
CRIM 405 - Law and Justice around the World Credits: 3
CRIM 406 - Family Law and the Justice System Credits: 3
CRIM 407 - Advanced Topics in Law and Society Credits: 3
CRIM 408 - Criminal Courts Credits: 3
CRIM 409 - Community Policing Credits: 3
CRIM 410 - Criminal Investigations Credits: 3
CRIM 422 - Controversial Legal Issues Credits: 3
CRIM 423 - Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties Credits: 3 or
GOVT 423 - Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties
Credits: 3
CRIM 425 - Criminal Justice Management Credits: 3
CRIM 460 - Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society Credits: 3
CRIM 462 - Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Credits: 3
CRIM 471 - Prevention and Deterrence of Crime Credits: 3
CRIM 475 - Theory and Politics of Terrorism Credits: 3
CRIM 490 - Special Topics Credits: 1-3
CRIM 491 - Honors Seminar I Credits: 3
CRIM 492 - Honors Seminar II Credits: 3
CRIM 498 - Research Practicum Credits: 1-3
CRIM 499 - Independent Study Credits: 1-3

Concentrations

Criminology, law and society majors have the option of obtaining a concentration by completing 15 of their 27 elective credits within one of the following areas. Credits earned in CRIM 490 may be applied to a concentration as appropriate for the content of the course, to be determined by the undergraduate director.

▲ Concentration in Criminal Justice (CJUS)

15 credits chosen from:

CRIM 210 - Introduction to Criminology Credits: 3
CRIM 302 - Delinquency Credits: 3
CRIM 304 - Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing Credits: 3 or
IT 357 - Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing
Credits: 3
CRIM 305 - Crime and Crime Policy Credits: 3
CRIM 307 - Social Inequality, Crime, and Justice Credits: 3
CRIM 320 - Crime and Place Credits: 3
CRIM 400 - Applied Criminal Psychology Credits: 3
CRIM 401 - Policing in America Credits: 3
CRIM 402 - Punishment and Corrections Credits: 3
CRIM 403 - Community Corrections Credits: 3
CRIM 404 - Crime Victims and Victimization Credits: 3
CRIM 408 - Criminal Courts Credits: 3
CRIM 409 - Community Policing Credits: 3
CRIM 410 - Criminal Investigations Credits: 3
CRIM 425 - Criminal Justice Management Credits: 3
CRIM 471 - Prevention and Deterrence of Crime Credits: 3

Total: 15 credits

▲ Concentration in Law and Society (LAWS)

15 credits chosen from:

CRIM 220 - Introduction to Law and Society Credits: 3
CRIM 301 - Public Law and the Judicial Process Credits: 3 or
GOVT 301 - Public Law and the Judicial Process
Credits: 3
CRIM 308 - Human Rights and Justice Credits: 3
CRIM 405 - Law and Justice around the World Credits: 3
CRIM 406 - Family Law and the Justice System Credits: 3
CRIM 407 - Advanced Topics in Law and Society Credits: 3
CRIM 408 - Criminal Courts Credits: 3
CRIM 422 - Controversial Legal Issues Credits: 3
CRIM 423 - Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties Credits: 3 or
GOVT 423 - Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties
Credits: 3
CRIM 460 - Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society Credits: 3

Total: 15 credits

▲ Concentration in Homeland Security and Justice (HSJ)

15 credits chosen from:

CRIM 230 - Introduction to Homeland Security Credits: 3
CRIM 310 - Introduction to the Intelligence Community Credits: 3
CRIM 312 - Intelligence Analysis Techniques Credits: 3
CRIM 405 - Law and Justice around the World Credits: 3
CRIM 460 - Surveillance and Privacy in Contemporary Society Credits: 3
CRIM 462 - Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Credits: 3
CRIM 475 - Theory and Politics of Terrorism Credits: 3

Total: 15 credits

Total: 42 credits

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in criminology, law and society fulfill this requirement by successfully completing CRIM 495 . Students should complete ENGH 302 before taking the writing-intensive course in the major or take the two courses simultaneously.

Degree Total: Minimum 120 credits

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Criminology, Law and Society, BA

Degree Requirements

Five core courses (15 credits)

Nine elective courses (27 credits) chosen from:

Concentrations

▲ Concentration in Criminal Justice (CJUS)

Total: 15 credits

▲ Concentration in Law and Society (LAWS)

Total: 15 credits

▲ Concentration in Homeland Security and Justice (HSJ)

Total: 15 credits

Total: 42 credits

Writing-Intensive Requirement

Degree Total: Minimum 120 credits