THE
MAJOR
The Justice
Studies major is a department within the College
of Arts & Letters.
JMU
Tracks:
Track A Crime & Criminology
Track
B Global Justice & Policy
Track C Social Justice
Admission and Progression Standards for this major:
Click on the link to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this major: http://www.jmu.edu/advising/snapshots/SSJUST.shtml
Description
of Major:
Justice Studies is offered as a major through the Center for Liberal and Applied Social Sciences -
CLASS. Justice Studies is an interdisciplinary area of inquiry that brings together insights from
social sciences and humanities. Through rigorous empirical and normative analysis of justice and
injustice it seeks to help students develop a personal definition of justice, a fuller understanding of
the nature of the world in which they live, and identify careers and strategies for action. Students
interested in careers in law enforcement, courts and corrections should consider the Crime and
Criminology, Track A. Students interested in careers in public policy, law, and international
organizations where there is a focus on issues of justice in a global context, such as, international
crime and law, human rights and international/intercultural conflict should consider pursuing Global
Policy and Justice, Track B. Individuals, Communities, and Justice, Track C, is for students
interested in careers in juvenile probation, human services, nonprofit, charitable organizations and
related "helping" careers devoted to eliminating the cause and consequences of crime. This track
focuses on the nature and needs of victims of crime and injustice, on the ways in which
communities are affected by illegal and unjust behaviors and on ways in which victims can be
helped. The Center for Liberal and Applied Social Sciences also offers a minor in Criminal Justice.
Tell
me more about this field of study.
The social sciences, which include justice studies, are focused on understanding people and their behaviors. Justice Studies seeks to provide an understanding of those human behaviors that society has defined at defiant, or criminal, and how we respond to those behaviors. This would include the exploration of those institutions that society has created to prevent, control and punish behaviors. Justice Studies also examines moral, philosophical, and political definitions of justice and injustice and a history of their development. Study of distinctions and commonalities between various kinds of justice, e.g., criminal, social, global and environmental is also essential to understanding justice studies.
Tell
me more about specializations in this major.
In the Crime & Criminology Track A, students focus attention on the nature, causes and solutions
for the crime problem at the national level. While the primary focus is on the United States,
comparisons are also made to other countries. It would be appropriate to choose this track for those
interested in careers in criminal justice policy making and research, graduate study in the justice
field, law enforcement, the courts (including the practice of criminal law), or corrections. The Global Justice & Policy Track B brings normative concerns to bear in its examination of a variety of global
issues, including international political and economic relations, international law, the global
environment, human rights, war and peace, and the encounter between cultures. Across the many
disciplines embraced by this track, the theme of achieving justice - in its plurality of manifestations
- serves as a unifying element. Students enrolled in this track will find careers in government
service, law, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations. Social Justice Track C focuses on local aspects of justice: that is how families, organizations, and communities can engage in justice development, maintenance, and reform. This includes restorative justice, alternative dispute resolution, victim support, abuse prevention, and community organizing. Career paths include advocate, social agency professional, religious leader, politician, therapist, counselor, and community organizer.
What
common major or minor combinations from other departments
complement this major?
Possible combinations could include Cultural Communication, Communication Studies, Computer
Science, Conflict Analysis and Intervention, Criminal Justice, Economics, Environmental
Management, Environmental Studies, Family Studies, Gerontology, Health Communication, Human
Services, International Humanities, Modern Foreign Language, Nonprofit Studies, Political
Communication, Political Science, Philosophy, Religion, Substance Abuse Intervention, Sociology,
Technical and Scientific Communication, or Women's Studies.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
Students who are invested in helping others, possess good analytical and communication skills and interested in both local and global issues are most attracted to this major.
CAREERS
Many graduates choose typical career paths associated with this major. However, some graduates choose unrelated careers that utilize skills and experiences developed during their years in college. Keep in mind, that some fields will require graduate study or further training. The listing below offers examples of possible career paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.
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