Morgan Cole
Sep 27 2006 12:00AM
This fall the criminal justice programs have moved from the history, language and philosophy department to the department of behavioral sciences.
Along with the many choices already available in the behavioral science category, the new transition will give any student the opportunity to take Introduction to Criminal Justice (CCJ1020) as a general education elective for behavioral science. The general education committee voted this summer to approve the introductory criminal justice class as a category 4 general education course because criminal justice programs fit into the spectrum of behavioral science courses and programs.
The switch is good news according to Michael Ardis, coordinator of the criminal justice programs. Criminal justice is thriving in associate in arts and associate in applied science degrees; there are over 200 students in the programs.
“The new transition will give students more exposure to the field of criminal justice, and the programs will only continue to thrive,” Ardis said.
“Because of growing interest in criminal justice, it has become a separate discipline in the social sciences,” said Dr. June Linke, department head of behavioral sciences.
“Sociology and criminal justice are very much intertwined. Until the late 1970’s criminal justice was a sub discipline of sociology. The basic theories dealing with criminal behavior have grown out of sociological theory.”
The changes will give PJC students an opportunity to explore the world of criminal justice even if it is not their major.
“It encourages further learning in different areas of study,” said PJC student Sam Rankin. “The more you can learn, the better.”
“Criminal justice is an integral part of our life; it’s usually impossible to pick up a paper or turn on the television and not find a story related to crime or criminology,” Ardis said.
Ardis will have a new office located in Bldg. 14, room 1476. The criminal justice classes will continue to be located in Bldg. 4 for this academic year.