Criminal Justice students and faculty in front of the Imperial War Museum 
Clyde at Stratford-on-Avon 
The Rosetta Stone at the British Museum 
The T-Rex at the Museum of Natural History and a frightened faculty member 
Students outside Central Criminal Court aka the “Old Bailey” 
The group enjoying a meal at the Khan restaurant 
Students and Clyde visiting the Tower Bridge 
Students attending a show at the Globe Theater 
Clyde visiting Shakespeare’s home 
Inside the Temple Church of London 
Students at the English Supreme Court 
The Holy Sepulcher Church 
Door to the Temple Chapel 
A cell at Westgate Prison
Students from the Criminal Justice program recently spent time in London to study English common law and learn more about the basis for the American justice system.
College of Public Service (CPS) Senior Instructor Rich Radabaugh, along with fellow faculty members Anna Kosloski, Associate Professor and Criminal Justice Department Chair, and Katy Hudson, CPS Senior Instructor, took a group of 20 undergraduate and graduate students to see various London sights while gaining a deeper understand of the frameworks that influenced American law.
“American jurisprudence is based on the English system,” explained Radabaugh. “The idea of jury trials only occurs in English-speaking countries or just one judge rules overseeing a trial. The idea of confronting witnesses and the exclusion of hearsay are English concepts that we have in American law. The root to our judicial practice is firmly planted in the English common law system.”
The group managed to fit an impressive variety of activities into the trip, spending time at several justice and law buildings including the English Supreme Court and court museum, the Royal Courts of Justice (the largest Courthouse in Europe), the Middle Temple Inn of the Court (the equivalent of a Bar Association and a 600-year old institution), Parliament and the Central Criminal Court, even witnessing a real homicide trial during their time there.
The trip was also the first study abroad event for the program since COVID, but proved to be a success and gave students the chance to interact beyond the classroom.
“This was the first study abroad trip we went on since COVID and I had no idea how it would turn out,” Radabugh said. “Everything clicked and we had no issues to speak of. The students were wonderful, engaged and got to know each other in a different light.”
In addition to their many law-related activities, the group was able to attend other attractions and events and even brought a mini Clyde to join them. They went to afternoon high tea, visited Shakespeare’s home in Stratford-on-Avon, went to the Imperial War museum, the British Museum and the Museum of Natural History, attended a performance of “Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Globe Theater, walked on Abbey Road and more, giving the students a chance to immerse themselves in London’s culture and history.
“The best learning comes from experience. Traveling abroad and experiencing another culture are experiences that students will retain for the rest of their lives,” said Radabaugh.
About the UCCS College of Public Service
The UCCS College of Public Service is one of the premier schools of public administration in the Rocky Mountain West. Its relevant and flexible programs prepare students for leadership in the public and nonprofit sectors, including criminal justice and social work. The College of Public Service offers both traditional and accelerated undergraduate and graduate programs, with options to earn dual degrees and graduate certificates. Learn more about the College of Public Service at UCCS.