Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Why Criminology and Criminal Justice?

Most of us consume a high dose of the three traditional ‘Cs’ of criminology and criminal justice: crime, cops, and corrections. Fictional and news media coverage of criminalized individuals and criminal law actors and institutions demand our time, energy, resources, and imagination. Criminology and Criminal Justice examines what we mean by crime, why and whether we should punish, the origins and function of police and prisons, and how to think outside the box of criminal justice. The field of Criminology is key to understanding and achieving a more just society while also preparing students to become thoughtful, engaged, and employable community members.

Why the ICCJ at Carleton?

The Institute of Criminology and Criminal Justice is a dynamic social justice-oriented national hub for interdisciplinary critical criminological research, teaching, and engagement. The strengths of our Institute lie in our internationally recognized and award-winning experts and teachers, as well as our emphasis on the limits of criminalization and punishment for ensuring a safer and more equitable society. Our unique program provides a strong footing in criminology’s foundational disciplines: law, psychology, and sociology while also exposing students to insights from fields such as political science, Indigenous studies, critical race, gender and sexuality studies, among others. Our field placement offers our students hands-on experience in real-life situations—including front-line work with criminalized individuals, victims and survivors of violence, lawyers, and non-governmental organizations—as well as with researchers and policy analysts.  Finally, we offer a thriving academic community with two student associations, a range of academic and community events, and the benefits of our location in our national capital on unceded Algonquin territory.