From Studies in Justice and Law Enforcement to the Department of Criminal Justice: A Reflection from the University of Winnipeg

Abstract

The Criminal Justice Department at the University of Winnipeg commenced in 2006, but this recent start date belies a history of justice instruction dating back to the late 1970’s. The Studies in Justice and Law Enforcement program evolved from a distributed major of courses loosely associated with justice to a more contemporary core of courses covering justice theory, methods and police, courts and corrections. There was internal struggle at the University of Winnipeg over the establishment of a separate Department of Criminal Justice, with some viewing such courses as best housed in Sociology. With support from administration and high student interest, Criminal Justice was established over the objections of other Departments. Arguments are made for a core curriculum of courses centred around the notion of “justice”, and the author presents his model curriculum of undergraduate and Honours level courses.