Courses

Undergraduate CRI Courses

Please check the Arts & Science Timetable for current CRI undergraduate course offerings.

In the introductory courses (CRI205H1 Introduction to Criminology, CRI210H1 Criminal Justice, CRI215H1 Introduction to Sociolegal Studies, and CRI225H1 Criminal Law) students will learn how to think critically about the material and set the tone for advanced courses in the program.

In third-year courses, students are encouraged to think critically about the assumptions behind the various views of crime and the criminal justice system that are part of our everyday discussions. The focus is on going beyond simple views about crime and the justice system toward a more critical - and evidence-based - understanding of the general phenomena that relate to crime.

400-Level CRI Topics Courses 

In fourth-year courses, students have an opportunity to study a number of specialized topics in a seminar setting. These courses examine in depth topics that were covered in lower level courses.  The seminar courses are often connected to the instructors' research interests. Students in 400-level courses will be required to complete extensive readings, research and writing assignments in addition to actively participating in seminar discussion.

400-Level CRI Topics Courses - Course Descriptions

Fall 2026

CRI494H1 Advanced Topics in Criminology and Sociolegal Studies

Topics: 
Instructor: 
Seminar: TU:13:00-15:00
Delivery Mode: In-Person

Winter 2027

CRI420H1 Current Issues in Criminal Law

Instructor: Adriel Weaver
Seminar: TU:18:00-20:00
Delivery Mode: In-Person

An exploration of the concept of harm  in shaping criminal law and policy on issues such as drug use, sex work, and various forms of expression. Drawing on philosophy, legal scholarship, case law, legislative debates and social science research we examine the multiple and sometimes competing ways in which harm is invoked to both justify and limit state intervention. Topics include the meanings of harm, the relationship between harm and morality, and how harm is established.

CRI491H1 Advanced Topics in Criminology and Sociolegal Studies

Topics: Social Experiments: Testing Policies, Ideas and Beliefs about the Justice System
Instructor: Ángela Zorro Medina
Seminar: MO:13:00-15:00
Delivery Mode: In-Person

How do we know if a justice policy works? Can we prove that interventions reduce crime or that new reforms protect rights better than the old ones? In this course, we dive into the world of social experiments and evidence-based research to explore how data is used to test and sometimes challenge assumptions about the justice system.
You'll learn how real-world studies are designed to make causal claims, how to tell if the evidence is convincing, and how to evaluate the numbers behind headlines and policy briefs critically. This is a hands-on, discussion-driven class that gives you the statistical foundation to understand (and question) how decisions in the justice system are made. No software skills required—just your curiosity and willingness to think critically.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to spot flawed research, understand how experiments and surveys shape policy, and build a solid foundation in statistical reasoning, skills that are essential for anyone thinking about research, policy, or law school.

CRI494H1 Advanced Topics in Criminology and Sociolegal Studies

Topics: Religion and Criminal Justice
Instructor: Jeffrey Wong
Seminar: FR:13:00-15:00
Delivery Mode: In-Person

This course examines the multifaceted role of religion within the criminal justice system. It explores how religious beliefs and communities shape criminal behaviour, moral regulation, and desistance. It analyses the interaction between religion and law through legal pluralism and landmark Canadian cases, as well as the historical theological foundations of concepts like reasonable doubt. The course addresses contemporary issues, including religiously motivated hate crime, the influence of police officers’ personal religiosity, and the roles of chaplaincy and faith-based organizations in policing and corrections. Concluding with perspectives from public theology, the course considers how concepts such as mercy, restoration, and forgiveness can inform more inclusive and effective approaches to justice.