Date: February 24, 2007
To:
College Curriculum Committee
From: ICJ Major Governance Committee
RE: ICJ Major Revisions
Based on our self-study of ICJ major and the external review committee’s comments, we
have proposed some changes in the major, for which we are requesting approval. The
attached report lays out the proposed changes (please note that we have taken care of the
comments that were provided by the College Curriculum Committee ), which include a
new course titled “Foundations of Scholarship in International Criminal Justice”.
Please contact the ICJ major coordinator, Prof. Mangai Natarajan (ext 8673), if you need
any further information.
Approved by Curriculum Committee, Feb 23, 2007, Prepared for March 22, 2007 College Council
ICJ Major Revisions
The ICJ major self study in Spring 2004 prompted some changes in the curriculum. In
Spring 2006, the ICJ Governance committee in consultation with Provost Basil Wilson,
proposed curriculum changes in three parts: Part Two, Foundations courses; Part Three,
Skills courses; and Part Four, specialized Area Studies (Please see Appendix A [Original]
& B [Revised]).
Please note that the proposed changes will involve adding 3 more credits to the major. As
a result, ICJ students will be required to complete 39 credits instead 36 credits. We
present our rationale for the changes below.
Part Two: Foundations Courses
SOC 341 International Criminology, the only 300 level course in the foundation section,
covers a variety of criminological theories that help explain international crime and
criminality. This course also prepares the students for their capstone course which
requires an understanding of the etiology of international crime problems such as
genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and transnational crimes for policy
relevant prevention measures. We have found that ICJ major students who have not
taken this course have difficulty with their graduate studies and also have difficulty in
comprehending theoretical explanations of international and transnational crime for their
capstone research paper. Furthermore, students who have taken this course and who go
on to graduate work in criminal justice and criminology report that their strong
theoretical background has been of considerable help to them.
Many students do not take this course because it is not required. Other students have
complained that they could not take the course because it is offered only once a year and
whenever it was offered it was filled in advance.
Theory courses are important in helping ICJ majors to develop a framework for
understanding international and transnational crimes and criminal behavior, as well as for
understanding the politics of justice operations. Currently, SOC 341 is the only 300 level
theory course that exists for the major. Placing this course in section C would also allow
new theory courses to be included later if developed later by GOV and Law and Police
Science.
Placing this course in section C (Please see the changes in the Appendix) would also
allow new theory courses to be included when developed by Government and by Law
and Police Science. Students will be required to take SOC 341, or one of the new theory
courses for the major.
Part Three: Skills course
The external evaluation committee strongly recommended that foreign language skills
and research skills (research methods and statistics) should be required if we are to
2
prepare our ICJ major students for jobs as well as graduate programs. We have also
noticed in our capstone course that many ICJ major students have difficulty in
interpreting empirical findings because of their lack of a basic foundation in research and
scholarship. Currently there is a tendency for students to take a computer course and a
dispute resolution course to fulfill the 6 “skills” credits and skip the research methods and
language sections.
The ICJ governance committee therefore proposes the following three courses should be
required for this section: Foreign language, Research methods and Statistics course. This
which will add 3 credits to the major
The Social Science Research Methods course (SSC 325) provides a comprehensive
account of basic research methods applied in social sciences. However, it does not cover
the writing and research skills needed to conduct comparative/cross cultural and
international country specific research. There is also a need to prepare students with
research and scholarly writing skills before they take the ICJ capstone course. Hence, the
committee proposes a 300 level new course called Foundations of Scholarship in
International Criminal Justice (which has been submitted for the approval of curriculum
committee). The description of the course is as follows:
The proposed course aims to provide a set of skills that are essential to conducting
and disseminating research. The skills include conducting and writing a focused
literature review; understanding the mechanics of research (finding a creative
idea, asking the right research questions, utilizing appropriate theories, developing
hypotheses, collecting and analyzing data); and finally writing academic papers.
The course will discuss research methods (both qualitative and quantitative) and
their appropriateness for international criminal justice with specific examples. In
will cover ethical concerns and it will provide a basic understanding of the use of
computers in research.
This course would provide a variety of research skills including information literacy and
computer literacy.
We also propose this course as a prerequisite for the Capstone course in ICJ (ICJ 401).
Please note that this condition was discussed in the college curriculum committee (in
spring 2006) when we submitted the ICJ 401 course revision.
Though we remove the computer skills courses and dispute resolution courses (Category
A and C) from Part 3, we will strongly advice the students to take these courses as
electives.
Part Four: Specialized Areas
We recommend adding the following courses in category A (Global Perspective on
Crime) of this section:
3
1. Transnational Crime (GOV 325): This course proposed by the GOV department was
approved by the college curriculum committee for inclusion in Spring 2006.
2. Migration and Crime (SOC 335): This course already exists in the catalogue
We recommend adding the following course in category B (Area/Regional Studies)
of this section:
1. Restorative Justice : Making Peace and Resolving Conflict (AAJ 229)
Generally, the courses in this section are electives offered by various departments, but not
always on a regular basis. At the same time due to the evolving expertise in international
issues, many departments are creating new courses which are relevant for ICJ major
students. The two above mentioned courses are highly relevant for the ICJ. Adding them
might help the enrollment for these courses and would give additional course options for
this section.
4
Appendix A
(ORIGINAL)
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE
(Bachelor of Arts)
The major in international criminal justice introduces students to the nature and cause of
crime at the international level and to the mechanisms for its prevention and control.
Components of the criminal justice system as they apply to transnational and
international crime are studied, as well as the impact of international law and human
rights in addressing crimes against humanity. The major is intended to equip students
with the knowledge and skills needed for careers in which the globalization of crime
plays an important role. It also is designed to prepare students for advanced work in
graduate or professional school.
Credits required. 36
Prerequisites. Economics 101, Government 101, and Sociology 101. Any two of these
courses satisfy the College’s 6-credit general education requirements in the social
sciences.
Advisor. Professor Mangai Natarajan, Room 520.13 T building (212–237–8673)
PART ONE. CORE COURSES Subtotal: 9
All courses are required
International Criminal Justice 101. Introduction to International Criminal Justice
Economics 231. Global Economic Development and Crime
Government 259/Law 259. Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
PART TWO. FOUNDATION COURSES Subtotal: 9
Select three courses from among those listed below. Only one of the three may be in
Category B. However, all three may be selected from Category A. Note: If only two
courses are selected from Category A, one course must be selected from Category B.
Category A
Anthropology 230. Culture and Crime
Government 250. International Law and Justice
Sociology 341. International Criminology
Category B
Economics 245. International Economics
Government 257. Comparative Politics
Government 260. International Relations
Public Administration 260. International Public Administration
5
PART THREE. SKILLS COURSES Subtotal: 6
Select two courses from among those listed below (6 credits), with no more than one
course from any one category. Although only 6 credits are required, all four areas are
highly recommended and students are encouraged to use their electives to take courses
in each of them.
Category A. Computer Skills
Select one course
Criminal Justice 255. Computer Applications in Criminal Justice
Mathematics 270. Security of Computers and Their Data
Mathematics 271. Introduction to Computing and Programming
Public Administration 241. Computer Applications in Public Administration
Category B. Foreign Language
A 200-level foreign language course
Category C. Dispute/Conflict Resolution
Select one course
Sociology 206. The Sociology of Conflict and Dispute Resolution
Sociology 380. Sociology Laboratory in Dispute Resolution Skill Building
Category D. Research Methods/Statistics
Select one course
Social Science 325. Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences
Statistics 250. Principles and Methods of Statistics
PART FOUR. SPECIALIZED AREAS Subtotal: 9
Students select three courses from the following, with at least one course in each
category
Category A. Global Perspectives on Crime
Students must select at least one course from the following
Corrections 303. Comparative Correction Systems
Economics 260. Environmental Economics Regulation and Law
Government 210. Comparative Urban Political Systems
Government 320. International Human Rights
Police Science 309. Comparative Police Systems
Police Science 415. Seminar on Terrorism
Sociology 333. Gender Issues in International Criminal Justice
Category B. Area/Regional Studies
Students must select at least one course from the following
African American Studies Law 293. Law and Justice in Africa
African American Studies Law 299/Anthropology 299. Drugs and Crime in Africa
6
History 325. Criminal Justice in European Society, 1750 to the Present
History 380. The Secret Police in Western Society
Police Science 250. Criminal Justice in Eastern Europe
Puerto Rican/Latin American Studies Government 242/Government 242/History 242.
U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America
Puerto Rican/Latin American Studies Law 220. Human Rights and Law in Latin America
Puerto Rican/Latin American Studies Law 230/African-American Studies Law 230.
Comparative Perspectives on Crime in the Caribbean
Puerto Rican/Latin American Studies Law 250. Drugs, Crime and Law in Latin America
Puerto Rican/Latin American Studies Sociology 401. Seminar in Latina/o Issues: Gender,
Race, Ethnicity, and the Legal System
Sociology 351. Crime and Delinquency in Asia
PART FIVE. INTERNSHIP Subtotal: 3
An elective course but highly recommended
International Criminal Justice 3XX. Internship in International Criminal Justice
(proposed)
PART SIX. CAPSTONE COURSE Subtotal: 3
International Criminal Justice 401. Capstone Seminar in International Criminal Justice
Total: 36
(Source: John Jay College Undergraduate Bulletin ( 2005-2007), pp.80-81.)
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Appendix B
(REVISED)
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE
(Bachelor of Arts)
The major in international criminal justice introduces students to the nature and cause of
crime at the international level and to the mechanisms for its prevention and control.
Components of the criminal justice system as they apply to transnational and
international crime are studied, as well as the impact of international law and human
rights in addressing crimes against humanity. The major is intended to equip students
with the knowledge and skills needed for careers in which the globalization of crime
plays an important role. It also is designed to prepare students for advanced work in
graduate or professional school.
Credits required. 39
Prerequisites. Economics 101, Government 101, and Sociology 101. Any two of these
courses satisfy the College’s 6-credit general education requirements in the social
sciences.
Advisor. Professor Mangai Natarajan, Room 520.13 T building (212–237–8673)
e-mail mnatarajan@jjay.cuny.edu
PART ONE. CORE COURSES Subtotal: 9
All courses are required
International Criminal Justice 101. Introduction to International Criminal Justice
Economics 231. Global Economic Development and Crime
Government 259/Law 259. Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
PART TWO. FOUNDATION COURSES Subtotal: 9
Category A Select one course_________________3
Anthropology 230. Culture and Crime
Government 250. International Law and Justice
Category B Select one course_________________3
Economics 245. International Economics
Government 257. Comparative Politics
Government 260. International Relations
Public Administration 260. International Public Administration
Category C________________________________3
8
Sociology 341. International Criminology
PART THREE. SKILLS COURSES Subtotal: 9
Category A: Language Skills: 3
Foreign Language (200 level or above)
Category B: Research Methods/Statistics: 6
STA 250. Principles and Methods of Statistics
ICJ3XX: Foundations of Scholarship in International Criminal Justice (Submitted to the
College Curriculum)
PART FOUR. SPECIALIZED AREAS Subtotal: 9
Students select three courses from the following, with at least one course in each
category
Category A. Global Perspectives on Crime
Students must select at least one course from the following
Corrections 303. Comparative Correction Systems
Economics 260. Environmental Economics Regulation and Law
Government 210. Comparative Urban Political Systems
Government 320. International Human Rights
Government 325: Transnational Crime
Police Science 309. Comparative Police Systems
Police Science 415. Seminar on Terrorism
Sociology 333. Gender Issues in International Criminal Justice
Sociology 335: Migration and Crime
Category B. Area/Regional Studies
Students must select at least one course from the following
African American Studies Justice 220. Law and Justice in Africa
African American Studies Justice 229. Restorative Justice: Making Peace and Resolving
Conflict
African American Studies Justice 210. Drugs and Crime in Africa
History 325. Criminal Justice in European Society, 1750 to the Present
History 380. The Secret Police in Western Society
Police Science 250. Criminal Justice in Eastern Europe
Puerto Rican/Latin American Studies Government 242/History 242/Government 242
U.S. Foreign Policy in Latin America
Puerto Rican/Latin American Studies Justice 220. Human Rights and Law in Latin
America
Puerto Rican/Latin American Studies Justice 230/African-American Studies Justice 230.
Comparative Perspectives on Crime in the Caribbean
9
Puerto Rican/Latin American Studies Justice 250. Drugs, Crime and Law in Latin
America
Puerto Rican/Latin American Studies Sociology (Independent Studies) 401. Seminar in
Latina/o Issues: Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and the Legal System,
Sociology 351. Crime and Delinquency in Asia
PART FIVE. INTERNSHIP Subtotal: 3
An elective course but highly recommended
International Criminal Justice 381. Internship in International Criminal Justice
PART SIX. CAPSTONE COURSE Subtotal: 3
International Criminal Justice 401. Capstone Seminar in International Criminal Justice
Total: 39
10