Criminal Justice and Sociology in Germany

Dates: May 31- June 8, 2024

Class: Choose ONE of the following courses: SOC 136, SOC 140, SOC 241, CJ 244, CJ 257, CJ 342, or CJ 400.
Price: $5463 
Note the following:
SOC 136 and SOC 140 do not have any prerequisites.
SOC 241 has a prerequisite of SOC 140.
All Criminal Justice classes have a prerequisite of CJ 158.

Out of the ashes of the Nazi regime, concentration camps, and World War II, blossomed a nation's commitment that life in corrections shall mirror as much as possible general living conditions outside prison. Visit Germany where the basic prison philosophy is based on reintegration, where prison management is based on relationship security, and where rehabilitation is central. Leave with an understanding of the power of dignity, as an ethos.

We will visit sites of Germany's dark past of concentration camps as well as its positive future of prison rehabilitation. Engage with prison administrators and non-profits that handle prisoner reintegration, plus target addiction challenges. Attend a guided tour on the topic of Sex and Crime. Visit the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, the UNESCO

World Heritage Site Museum Island and many other fascinating sites in Berlin. Visit St. Michael's Church, Rathaus (City Hall), Planten un Blomen Park, St. Pauli neighborhood known for its vibrant nightlife and eclectic atmosphere and many other discoveries in Hamburg. During your free time meander around the cultural sites of the metropolitan cities of Berlin and Hamburg. Visit the Brandenburger Gate, the Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie,  the UNESCO World Heritage Site Museum Island and many other fascinating sites in Berlin. Visit St. Michael's Church, Rathaus (City Hall), Planten un Blomen Park, St. Pauli neighborhood known for its vibrant nightlife and eclectic atmosphere and many other discoveries in Hamburg. 

The Price Includes

  • Accommodations 
  • Scheduled group activities on this itinerary
  • Round-trip airfare
  • All airport taxes, security fees and fuel surcharges
  • Breakfast

The Price Does Not Include

  • Transportation to/from JFK
  • Meals that are not listed on the itinerary
  • Additional increases in taxes and fuel surcharges at the time of ticketing
  • Additional activities or optional trips
  • Personal expenses such as Wi-fi, phone, and souvenirs
  • Exceeding the airline's baggage allowance

Click to View Itinerary

  • May 31: Depart from JFK in the evening. Transfer in Dublin around 4:30am. 
  • June 1: Land in Berlin in the morning. Gain a guided overview of the energized metropolitan city of Berlin. On a guided tour, on public transportation, get an overview of the city highlights such as the Brandenburg Gate, Paris Square, the Reichstag, the Tiergarten, the Victory Column, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, the Berlin Wall, the former Jewish neighborhood and now art quarter of Berlin, the new government quarter, Potsdamer Platz [iconic plaza], Checkpoint Charlie, Gendarmenmarkt, Unter den Linden [famous block], Alexanderplatz and the UNESCO World Heritage Site Museum Island. 
  •  Experience the culinary tradition of this city by enjoying a Welcome Dinner. 
  • June 2: Visit the somber site of the Holocaust at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. This tour will help you contextualize modern Germany's incarceration policies. In the afternoon, visit an underground bunker to see how civilians protected themselves from bombing during WWII. 
  • June 3: Tour a prison and meet with administration to hear about how programs and initiatives are aimed at rehabilitation and preparing individuals for reintegration into society upon their release. 
    In the afternoon, visit the Stasi Prison Museum, located in Berlin. Gain a glimpse into the oppressive methods employed by the East German secret police, known as the Stasi. The museum stands as a testament to the human rights violations and political persecution that occurred during the era of the German Democratic Republic. Guided tours take visitors through the stark prison cells and interrogation rooms, allowing them to witness the harsh conditions endured by prisoners and hear personal stories of those who were held captive.
  • June 4: Engage with administrators of a facility for youth offenders. This facility focuses on rehabilitation and reintegration.
    In the afternoon, visit the historic remnants and museum of the Berlin Wall. Also, engage in a self-guided tour of the Checkpoint Charlie Museum that highlights the stories of those who needed to cross through the wall. 
  • June 5: Train to Hamburg. When you arrive in Hamburg, we'll participate in a guided tour, on public transportation, of the city including many sites such as the architectural highlights like St. Michael's Church,  Rathaus (City Hall) and  Elbphilharmonie, plus learn about the canal system, visit different districts, and stroll through the urban park
  • June 6: Visit a Hamburg prison and meet with administration to hear about how programs and initiatives are aimed at rehabilitation and preparing individuals for reintegration into society upon their release. 
    Afterwards, partake in a Q& A session on Juvenile justice and rehabilitation. 
    Optional evening Culinary Tour for an extra cost [not included in the program price]. 
  • June 7: Embark on a guided Sex & Crime tour in the red light district of St. Pauli.  Led by knowledgeable guides, this tour sheds light on the captivating stories and hidden secrets of St. Pauli, offering unique insights into its vibrant nightlife, provocative establishments, and the societal complexities surrounding these industries. Discover the district's colorful past, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and gain a deeper understanding of the interplay between sex, crime, and the social dynamics that shape St. Pauli's identity.  
    Optional afternoon boat cruise for an extra cost [not included in the program price]. The cruise  provides panoramic views and fascinating commentary. Cruise along the picturesque Alster Lake or the iconic River Elbe, marveling at the stunning skyline and historic landmarks that grace the waterside
    Wrap up the program with a farewell dinner.  
  • June 8: Depart Hamburg for JFK. Transfer in Dublin.

How to Apply

Directions for applying online:  

  1.  Log in to the portal
  2.  View our Study Abroad Application Process
  3.  Follow the St. Joseph's Faculty-led Programs Checklist.

Passport Requirements

Due to new government regulations, passport information must be provided with your final payment. If you need a new passport, apply immediately.

Without passport information tickets cannot be issued and delays with ticketing may create penalties and/or cancellations without a refund.

A copy of your passport is due no later than January 22, 2024.