Bulletin - John Jay College Of Criminal Justice - CUNY

Courses Offered
INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES (See
Program description for contact)
Theme A (for Freshmen) The Individual and Society
and Individuals in Conflict
This two-semester theme examines the variety of ways that
individuals relate to one another and “to society.” What do we mean
by society What is the social contract Why do some people affirm
society’s values and norms, and others rebel, whether by fighting
against injustice or by behaving criminally During the second
semester, the theme focuses on how people in our society experience
and attempt to deal with situations of conflict. Among the topics
covered are domestic violence; dispute mediation; prison culture;
war; and generational, racial, ethnic, and gender conflicts. The
emphasis in both semesters is on using primary source materials and
readings from the humanities, social sciences, law and fine arts.
Theme B (for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors –
Specific courses offered change each semester
depending on faculty availability)
Community and Responsibility
This theme situates the individual in the communities of which she is
a part, and explores the dynamic interplay of persons and social
contexts in the shaping of responsibilities. Approaches from the
humanities and social sciences are brought to bear on the topics of
community, responsibility, conflict and resolution. Course topics
may include childhood, the family, affirmative action, rural and urban
communities, and educational institutions.
Conflict and Change
This theme integrates the humanities and social sciences in an
examination of the forces that give rise to and resolve conflict and
that bring about change, both in the individual and in society. Of
interest in this theme are examples and patterns of conflict and
change in the intimate sphere of family and neighborhoods; at the
institutional level in the legal and criminal justice system; and
historically, at moments of national and international crisis. Specific
courses change each semester depending on which faculty members
are teaching in the program. Course topics may include: legal
challenges of the 90s, power and justice in law and society, World
War II, personal conflict and social change, love and hate in the
family, the changing roles of women in the workplace, inside the
criminal mind, from slavery to citizenship, childhood and society.
Transactions and Transformations
This theme examines the many ways in which individuals,
communities, ethnic groups and even whole nations interact with one
another in the exchange of ideas, cultures, rituals, technology,
economy, conflicts and more. In what ways do these interactions
produce change in individuals and groups What kinds of changes
What are the risks in these interactions What are the risks in
refusing to engage in such social, cultural, political and economic
transactions Course topics may include the concept of citizenship;
cross-cultural definitions of crime and criminality; religion; human
rights; war; technology; ideas about oppression and freedom.
Perspectives on the Extraordinary
This theme is devoted to exploring people, events, concepts and
artifacts that have achieved wide recognition as extraordinary in one
or more ways. How does something or someone emerge from the
ordinary How do people respond to extraordinary people, events
and ideas Course topics may include the idea of the scientific, legal,
political, philosophical, and/or artistic "breakthrough"; the
phenomenon of genius; catastrophe and human response; revolution;
biography and autobiography; cosmology and the origins of the
universe; violence and criminality.
97