PSJS - Public Safety and Justice Studies
PSJS 121
Foundations of Canadian Law and Justice
3 Credits Weekly (3-0-0)
Students learn about the principles, practice, and philosophy of Canadian law with an emphasis on the administration of justice. The origin and development of Canada’s legal system is examined, and students study current legislation including the Constitution, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Criminal Code, and other key criminal statutes. Particular attention is paid to the structure of the Canadian court system, the criminal trial process, and the limits that the Charter places upon the powers of courts, the police, and the criminal justice system. Note: Students can only receive credit for one of PSJS 121 or PSSC 121.
PSJS 222
Mental Health and Resiliency in Public Safety
3 Credits Weekly (3-2-0)
Students learn about the principles of trauma-informed care, mental health self-care, and resiliency for individuals in public safety careers. In-class instruction is supplemented by a laboratory component in which students complete personal fitness and lifestyle training in the university fitness facilities. Note: Students can only receive credit for one of PSJS 222 or PSSC 212.
PSJS 305
Conflict Resolution in Public Safety
3 Credits (3-0-0)
Students examine the nature of conflict in public safety occupations. The course involves a critical examination of how repeat situations of conflict can arise in public safety environments and identifies best practices and approaches for deescalating conflict. This course also offers the opportunity for students to understand how biases and life experiences can impact the perception of conflict and the resulting response. In addition, the course examines how diversity in our community can influence public safety responses and conflict resolution.
Prerequisites: INTD 105.
PSJS 310
Research Statistics in Public Safety and Justice
3 Credits (3-0-0)
This course introduces statistical techniques and reasoning used for analysis and research in public safety and justice. Students learn essential statistical tools and analytical skills necessary to engage in evidence-based research and informed decision-making within the public safety and justice sectors. Students examine data collection and management and explore the practical applications of descriptive and inferential statistics.
PSJS 315
Research Methods in Public Safety and Justice
3 Credits (3-0-0)
This course introduces methodologies used for public safety and justice research, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. Students analyze existing research and its application to practical issues. Students also learn how to design and conduct their own research.
PSJS 320
Contemporary Criminal Justice Interventions
3 Credits (3-0-0)
Students examine contemporary criminal justice interventions aimed at reducing criminal behaviour. In addition to analyzing crime prevention, intervention, and suppression strategies, students will evaluate offender intervention programs designed to address criminogenic needs and facilitate the successful reintegration of offenders into the community.
PSJS 360
Trends in Public Safety and Justice
3 Credits (3-0-0)
Students explore the rapidly changing landscape of public safety and justice systems, worldwide, with a particular focus on their intersection. The course investigates the role of technology and how advancements in areas such as surveillance, countersurveillance, and artificial intelligence impact not only crime prevention, detection, and resolution but also privacy. Students examine strategies for adapting public safety and justice systems to meet the evolving needs of society and explore alternative and emerging approaches.
PSJS 365
Navigating the Future of Cybersecurity Investigations
3 Credits (3-0-0)
This course provides students with a more comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity and explores future developments in encryption and AI-assisted forensics within an ever-evolving landscape. Focusing on the legal, technical, and human elements of cybersecurity, this course cultivates a nuanced understanding of cybersecurity operations, investigations, and protection, along with the ethical considerations intrinsic to this work. Note: Credit can only be obtained for either CYJU 365 or PSJS 365.
PSJS 390
Decoding Organized and Transnational Crime
3 Credits (3-0-0)
This course unravels the complex world of transnational organized crime, focusing on its evolving impact on global society. It examines the geopolitical intricacies of global criminal enterprises, scrutinizing their effects on geopolitics, social stability, and global security. The efficacy of current anti-crime initiatives and policies is examined, fostering an understanding of the limitations and potential avenues for international collaboration in combatting illicit networks.
PSJS 393
Integrated Perspectives in Emergency Management
3 Credits (3-0-0)
Students explore comprehensive emergency management strategies, focusing on effective response and recovery in diverse crisis situations. The course emphasizes the integration of public safety principles with crisis communication techniques essential for managing information flow and stakeholder engagement. Students learn how the public safety roles interact with the emergency operations center and gain insight into the development of resilient and adaptive emergency plans that prioritize ethical considerations and effective communication.
Prerequisites: PSSC 293.
PSJS 410
Assessment and Prediction of Criminal Conduct
3 Credits (3-0-0)
This course explores psychological, social, and environmental factors that influence criminal conduct and how these can be used to assess, classify, treat, and predict it. Students learn about and critically assess the role of psychological assessments/diagnoses, actuarial risk-needs-responsivity assessment tools, and criminal profiling. The course also addresses the ethical and legal issues related to the use of such tools within criminal justice systems, including issues of privacy, transparency, limited individualization, and the potential for discrimination, stigmatization, and bias.
PSJS 420
Transformative Justice
3 Credits (3-0-0)
Students explore and analyze key principles and assumptions of transformative justice. The course provides a history of transformative justice, comparing and distinguishing it from restorative and punitive approaches to justice. Students investigate and critically analyze current and emerging practices of transformative justice both internationally and in the Canadian context.
PSJS 445
Leadership and Ethics in Public Safety and Justice
3 Credits (3-0-0)
The course explores the fundamental principles of ethical leadership within the context of public safety and justice systems. It critically examines and applies leadership theories and practices, reflective practice, ethical decision-making, organizational culture, and professional responsibility. Additionally, students actively assess their own leadership styles and consider the pivotal role of leadership in advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion within professional organizations and in fostering meaningful public engagement.
PSJS 475
Capstone Project I (Practice)
3 Credits (0-2-12)
This is the first course in a 2-course capstone project that provides Public Safety and Justice students with the opportunity to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and theories acquired in class with the practices taking place in the field through completion of a practice-based project – conducted as part of an onsite field practicum with a public safety and justice agency or related organization. In collaboration with their host organization, students design their own project, identify the methodology and tools to be used, and gain the necessary approvals. The course also includes a weekly integration seminar addressing the integration of theory and practice that helps link the knowledge, skills, and values gained in the classroom with issues experienced during the capstone. Note: This course is intended for students in the final year of their degree; students may only receive credit for one of either PSJS 475 or PSJS 476.
PSJS 476
Capstone Project I (Research)
3 Credits (0-2-3)
This is the first course in a 2-course capstone project that provides Public Safety and Justice students with the opportunity to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and theories acquired in class with professional practice in the field. Students plan and design an original research project in collaboration with a public safety or justice organization. They also identify and gain approvals for the project’s design and methodology and identify the tools to be used for data collection/analysis/storage. The course also includes a weekly integration seminar addressing the integration of theory and practice that helps link the knowledge, skills, and values gained in the classroom with issues experienced during the capstone. Note: This course is intended for students in the final year of their degree; students may only receive credit for one of either PSJS 475 or PSJS 476.
PSJS 485
Capstone Project II (Practice)
3 Credits (0-2-12)
This is the second course in a 2-course capstone project that provides Public Safety and Justice students with the opportunity to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and theories acquired in class with the practices taking place in the field through completion of a practice-based project – conducted as part of an onsite field practicum with a public safety and justice agency or related organization. In collaboration with their host organization, students conduct the project that they planned in the previous course. This project serves as a culmination and a bridge between the classroom and the field, preparing students for successful careers or further academic pursuits. The course also includes a weekly integration seminar that addresses the integration of theory and practice by linking the knowledge, skills, and values gained in the classroom with issues experienced in the capstone. Note: This course is intended for students in the final year of their degree; students may only receive credit for one of either PSJS 485 or PSJS 486.
Prerequisites: PSJS 475.
PSJS 486
Capstone Project II (Research)
3 Credits (0-2-3)
This is the second course in a 2-course capstone project that provides Public Safety and Justice students with the opportunity to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and theories acquired in class with professional practice in the field. Students complete an original research project (planned in the previous course) in collaboration with a public safety or justice organization. This project serves as a culmination and a bridge between the classroom and the field, preparing students for successful careers or further academic pursuits. The course also includes a weekly integration seminar addressing the integration of theory and practice that helps link the knowledge, skills, and values gained in the classroom with issues experienced during the capstone. Note: This course is intended for students in the final year of their degree; students may only receive credit for one of either PSJS 485 or PSJS 486.
Prerequisites: PSJS 476.
PSJS 490
Dark Networks: Radicalization and Terrorism
3 Credits (3-0-0)
This course examines the recruitment, indoctrination, and radicalization processes underpinning terrorist and extremist groups. It explores their societal impact and global implications, providing insights into counter-terrorism strategies and policy responses. Additionally, the course investigates dark web ecosystems and technological platforms that function as conduits for ideological proliferation and mobilization.
PSJS 492
Crime and Intelligence Analysis
3 Credits (3-0-0)
Students examine the role of crime and intelligence analysis in contemporary public safety and law enforcement. The course explores the theories and methods of analytics and their application in investigating and preventing crime, conflict, and disorder. Students will examine tools such as crime mapping, data mining, and data analysis within the framework of intelligence-led approaches. The course also critically evaluates ethical considerations, biases, and privacy issues related to crime and intelligence analysis.
Prerequisites: PSJS 365.
PSJS 493
Advanced Emergency Management
3 Credits (3-0-0)
This senior-level course critically examines advanced emergency management strategies for comprehensive disaster response and recovery. It focuses on proactive disaster planning, risk assessment, crisis communication, and mitigation in relation to natural and human-made disasters, integrating case studies, policy analysis, and recovery simulations, and emphasizing effective and humane emergency management, leadership, and innovation in complex emergency events.
Prerequisites: PSJS 393.