| Type of Program: | Intensive Course Abroad |
|---|
The Scandinavian and American approaches to justice are distinct and reflective of deeply embedded social and public policy systems. In particular, the welfare states in Norway and Sweden provide a robust system of social support that informs the treatment of many marginalized populations, including people involved in the justice system. This course will provide students the opportunity to explore the ideological and practical foundations of these systems, with an emphasis on understanding the role of social services, educational institutions, and public agencies. Beginning with a visit to a correctional facility in Pennsylvania, students will be given the opportunity to compare and contrast parallel policies and institutions in Scandinavia. By visiting both Sweden and Norway, participants will experience, first-hand, an alternate practical and theoretical framework for criminal justice, as well as the cultural context necessary to support that system.
During their time abroad, participants will tour prisons facilities, including Halden Fengsel, a world-renowned rehabilitative prison in Norway, and a juvenile detention facility in Uppsala, Sweden. Students will also speak with criminal justice policy-makers, meet with peers from Stockholm University and tour law enforcement, courts, and other related institutions. During the course, students will also immerse themselves in Swedish and Norwegian history and culture in order to better understand the divergent cultural norms that support the American and Scandinavian criminal justice systems.
See this program in action in our program highlights and program overview videos!
Read Drexel Now and the Norwegian American journal articles showcasing this program.
Upon completion of this course, students will:
• Be able to describe the modern Swedish, Norwegian criminal justice systems
• Understand the historical and cultural factors that have shaped these justice systems
• Distinguish and apply social and criminological theories and purposes within these systems
• Be able to compare and contrast these systems to the American/ domestic approach to crime
• Become familiar with emerging issues justice-involved populations in Scandinavia
• Appreciate Scandinavian culture
Student Testimonial: I want to share with you my final thesis book for my prison project... This was overall such a fulfilling project, and something that I am truly passionate about. I will forever be grateful for my experience studying abroad -- so much of what I saw informed my design process and helped me to curate design solutions for all people who experience the carceral setting.
Credit/Registration: Students accepted to this program will be automatically registered for CJS 380 Scandinavian Perspectives on Justice 3 credits for summer term. Students must leave room for the 3 credits in their credit load or will have to pay for exceeding the 20 credit maximum. The 3 credits for this program are not optional.
Pre-Travel Requirements: There will be one mandatory, preparatory class meetings during the spring term.
Instructors:
Arrival Date: June 16th, 2023
Departure Date: June 25th, 2023
Tentative Itinerary Overview
| 1 | NOR | Sat. | 17-Jun | Arrival and Orientation | |
| 2 | NOR | Sun. | 18-Jun | Norwegian Culture | Museums; Group dinner 1 |
| 3 | NOR | Mon. | 19-Jun | Historical Context and the Judiciary | Akershus + Court |
| 4 | NOR/SWE | Tues. | 20-Jun | Modern Incarceration | Halden + Travel |
| 5 | SWE | Wed. | 21-Jun | Swedish Culture and Youth Justice | SiS + museums |
| 6 | SWE | Thurs. | 22-Jun | Juvenile Detention Today | Bärby |
| 7 | SWE | Fri. | 23-Jun | Enforcement and Research | niversity or prosecutor; Group Dinner 2 |
| 8 | SWE/USA | Sat. | 24-Jun | Debrief and Depart | Depart |
Due March 1st, 2023 $500 Advance Payment
Due May 1st, 2023 $1,400 Final Payment
All payments are non-refundable unless declined admission or program cancels for unforeseen reasons.
Included in Program Fee:
Not Included in Program Fee (estimates):
| Term | Year | App Deadline | Decision Date | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | 2023 | 03/30/2023 | 04/07/2023 | 06/16/2023 | 06/25/2023 |