The major in Criminal Justice, Law and Society (CJLS) is offered by the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice, Law and Society. The CJLS major engages students in a multidisciplinary exploration of issues related to crime, justice, and social policy.

The intersection of courses in CLJS, Politics and Government, and Sociology provides students with an opportunity to explore theories and philosophies of law and justice in the United States and to grapple with the challenging nature of pursuing justice in a complex social world.

By completing the liberal arts-focused CJLS major, students develop a strong foundation to pursue careers in social policy, the juvenile and criminal justice system, and numerous federal, state, and private organizations that address issues of justice in society.

Students who complete the CJLS major also develop skills that prepare them for graduate education in a variety of fields, which include, but are not limited to justice studies, law, criminology, political science, sociology, and public administration.

Integrating Theory and Practice

All CJLS majors at Pacific University complete a semester-long practicum and a year-long Capstone experience. This culminating educational experience begins with a 70-hour, hands-on fieldwork experience in fall semester with a community-based organization whose work aligns with the student’s interests. Following the field experience, the student completes an independent senior project that builds upon knowledge gained during the practicum.

Course Descriptions:

CJLS-380: CJLS Practicum (Fall): This course will provide students with an opportunity to integrate theoretical and applied learning in a community setting. Students will complete a 70-hour practicum in an approved placement under the supervision of an agency staff member in consultation with a CJLS staff or faculty member. Students will complete a signed learning agreement in the beginning of the practicum, which will guide their individualized learning experiences. Students will be required to meet with the instructor and other CJLS students in a weekly seminar setting to discuss their work in the field placement. In addition to hours spent working in the field, students will be expected to complete assignments and readings intended to enhance the practicum experience. Prerequisites: CJLS 101: Introduction to Law & Society, SOC 300: Qualitative Research, and SOC 301: Social Statistics. 4 credits.

CJLS-491: Senior Capstone I (Fall): The focus of this course is to assist students in selecting an area of interest in order to define their senior thesis project, to complete a literature review, to develop a research methodology, and to begin data collection. This course is required of all CJLS majors in their final year. Prerequisites: Senior standing (90 or more completed credits) and declared CJLS major. 2 credits.

CJLS-492: Senior Capstone II (Spring): Students further refine and develop their senior thesis project. Students complete their data analysis, complete their written thesis, and prepare for the public presentation of their thesis for Senior Projects Day. Prerequisites: CJLS 491: Senior Capstone I. 2 credits.

Read more about the CJLS major learning outcomes and interdisciplinary curriculum.

The CJLS program is part of the Sociology, Anthropology, and CJLS (SOANCJ) department in Pacific University’s School of Social Sciences.

Mission

As a department, we engage students to create learning environments that foster critical and creative thinking using social science research and methods regarding the context, origins, and solutions to pressing social issues.

Values

We Value Public Engagement. We use our research and expertise to actively participate in community conversation and activities. We encourage scholarship that occurs outside academic conferences and journals. We develop students’ abilities to apply disciplinary knowledge and research to community settings. We cultivate collaborations with community partners.

We Value Equity and Justice. We support efforts that strive to make our communities more equitable and just spaces. We host community events that engage with the topics of equity and justice. We create curriculum that encourages students to examine the world through an equity and justice lens. We engage in ongoing professional development around issues of equity and justice.

We Value Historically Marginalized Voices. We include voices from historically marginalized communities in our research, curriculum, course readings, and course activities. We create learning spaces that respect the contributions of individuals from marginalized communities. We create learning environments that examine how different systems of oppression intersect to influence individuals’ experiences and work to guide students to develop their own voice.

We Value Interdisciplinary Thought. We work collaboratively across disciplinary boundaries to make departmental decisions. We engage in activities that enable us to learn from each other and each other’s disciplines (e.g., teaching observations, research soirees, collaborative research). We create learning environments that encourage students from all majors to dialogue to contribute to the creation of knowledge in the classroom. We encourage students to explore different disciplines and understand how this strengthens disciplinary work.

We Value Social Science Methods. We engage in high-quality research and actively contribute to our disciplines. We teach students how to understand and interpret social science research. We build students’ capacity to design and conduct social science research. We provide students with the support they need to be successful in their research endeavors.

We Value Student Mentorship. We treat students with respect. We partner with students on scholarly projects. We provide individualized mentorship to cultivate the holistic student. We help students develop a mentor network that supports them in their endeavors. We help students translate their academic interests into a sustainable and fulfilling life.

We Value Excellent Teaching. We hold high standards for our students and provide them with the support to meet those standards. We design and facilitate dynamic learning environments where students engage in writing, discussion, and reflection for deep learning. We create and implement innovative ways of teaching into our learning environments. We engage in ongoing professional development related to pedagogy.