COURSE CURRICULUM

The first year of the Criminology program at VIU provides foundational knowledge through courses such as Introduction to Criminology or a combined Introduction to Criminology and Sociology, Psycho-social or Psychological Explanations of Criminality, the Criminal Justice System, and Canadian Law from a criminal justice perspective. Students also select a course from philosophy, psychology, or sociology to deepen their understanding of related disciplines, alongside fulfilling degree English requirements, totaling 30 credits. In the second year, students build on this foundation with courses like Deviance, Crime and Social Control, Criminal Law, and a choice of research methods courses focused on criminology or social research. Additional courses include topics such as First Peoples, Colonization and Justice; Law, Youth and Young Offenders; Gender, Crime and Justice; Corrections; Policing; and Conflict Resolution. Students also complete a statistics course relevant to social sciences or business, as well as Law and Politics in Canada. To ensure a comprehensive understanding of Indigenous perspectives, students select one or two courses covering Indigenous studies, gender, feminism, or history, with options such as Indigenous Feminisms or First Nations History. The remainder of the credits are fulfilled with electives from various levels to total 30 credits in the second year. This curriculum equips students with critical knowledge of criminological theories, law, research methods, and Indigenous perspectives necessary for careers in justice-related fields.