The curriculum builds on a foundational year of interdisciplinary study in the Humanities and Social Sciences, followed by three years of more specialized study in Criminology and Sociology. Students take a combination of 13 required and elective courses in Criminology and 13 required and elective courses in Sociology, as well as 6 liberal studies courses.
Semesters One and Two: The first year is a Common Arts Platform, which is shared with the BA programs in Criminology, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Language and Intercultural Relations, Philosophy, Politics and Governance, Psychology, and Sociology. They develop foundational understandings of the discipline through two introductory courses in each of Criminology and Sociology. Students also acquire skills and knowledge in two foundational courses, Academic Writing and Research, and Critical Thinking, and choose additional electives from a broad range of areas to gain a broad, interdisciplinary base of knowledge, skills, and methodologies.
Semesters Three and Four: In second year, students are provided with foundational tools in theory and research methods through a Common Arts Platform course, Research Design and Qualitative Methods, an introductory course in quantitative data analysis, and classical sociological theory. Students also acquire foundational knowledge related to the disciplines through courses on criminal law in Canada, indigenous governance in Canada, and the city of Toronto, and courses related to equity and diversity.
Semesters Five and Six: In the third year, students develop a sharper focus on theoretical ideas that are useful to describe and analyze society and the criminal justice system, and take advanced courses in research methodology and ethics. Students will have the opportunity to put theories and research methods into practice by involvement in research projects seeking to discover something new about the world.
Semesters Seven and Eight: In their final year of study, students develop their understanding of social issues and justice in greater depth through elective courses in areas such as youth justice, strategies of crime control and prevention, environmental sociology, and the global economy. Students will take an advanced level special topics seminar in criminal justice. In addition, students will have the opportunity to consider their studies in relation to future goals and plans, and undertake a capstone project.