Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2019 - CRIM 402 C100

Biological Explanations of Crime (3)

Class Number: 5288

Delivery Method: Distance Education

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Distance Education

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Jun 28, 2019
    Fri, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Aug 8, 2019
    Thu, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CRIM 101.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines possible biological factors that could result in a predisposition towards criminal behavior. These include not only the genetic factors that affect behavior and therefore could potentially predispose towards crime, but also biochemical, neurological, nutritive and accidental effects such as head injuries. This course will look critically at all evidence both for and against any possible biological predispositions for criminogenic behaviors, together with the interaction with the environment. In particular, moral and ethical issues will be considered and debated. Students with credit for CRIM 416 in the summer 2000 or 2001 term may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

Courses frequently consider the sociological, psychological, or environmental aspects of crime, but rarely are the equally important possible biological aspects of crime considered. Behaviour is a complex mixture of biology (the genotype), and the environment. Many other biological factors may also affect behaviour including diet, head trauma, etc. There is no single “gene for crime,” and none will ever be found, any more than there can be a single environmental or social reason for crime, but the fear that such a gene could be discovered prevents discussions of the biology of crime. There is, however, considerable evidence that biological factors can have a strong impact on criminogenic behaviour. Biological factors that could predispose a person to criminogenic behaviour will be critically considered, including the empirical evidence and the ethical issues involved. Understanding the biological factors that can predispose an individual to certain undesirable behaviours offers us perhaps the greatest hope for successful treatment.

Grading

  • Online Presentation/Participation 30%
  • Mid-term Exam 30%
  • Final Exam 40%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

All Required Readings listed below are not provided by the Distance Education Office (CODE).

REQUIRED READING:

Biological Explanations of Criminal Behaviour (2007), Anderson
ISBN: 9781420043310

Department Undergraduate Notes:

If you have any Criminology course enrollment requests (course adds, course swaps), please contact a Criminology advisor. Please do not contact instructors for enrollment assistance as they will ultimately refer you to a Criminology advisor.

Criminology course enrollment requests should be sent to a Criminology advisor no later than the last day of the Second week of classes. Late enrollment requests are subject to approval and are not guaranteed. 

Enrollment requests for non-Crim courses should be directed to the advisor for the program offering the course. 


ATTENTION: STUDENTS WITH A DISABILITY: Please contact the Centre for Accessible Learning, (MBC 1250 or Phone 778-782-3112) if you need or require assistance, not your individual instructors.  
-N.B.:  Students are reminded that attendance in the first week of classes is important.  However, there are no tutorials in the first week. Ø  -Assignments not submitted to the Professor/T.A. during class/office hours must be placed in the assignment drop box in front of the General Office of the School of Criminology (SWH 10125).  The assignment drop box is emptied Monday to Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. only, with the contents date stamped accordingly.  No other department’s date stamp will be accepted (e.g. Library/Campus Security).  For the Surrey Campus, assignments must be hand delivered to the General Office of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, located at SUR 5180, on Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30p.m., or placed in the assignment drop box located at the southwest corner of Galleria 5.  The Surrey assignment drop box is emptied Monday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., with the contents date stamped accordingly.  The School of Criminology is not responsible for assignments submitted in any other manner (e.g., slid under office doors).  The University does NOT accept assignments by fax or email.
-A student must complete ALL grading components of a course (including assignments, exams, class participation, presentations, chat room components of Distance Education courses, etc.).  Otherwise, a grade of N (incomplete) will be assigned for the entire course. 
-E-mail policy:  The School of Criminology discourages the use of e-mail as a substitute for office hour visits.  The School advises its instructional staff that students wishing to confer with them should do so in person during their office hours.
-The University has formal policies regarding academic dishonesty and grade appeals.  Students are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with policy S 10.01, the Code of Academic Integrity and Good Conduct, available on the University’s website.  Information about grade appeals may be obtained from the General Office of the School of Criminology. UNIVERSITY POLICY FORBIDS FINAL EXAMINATIONS WHILE CLASSES ARE STILL IN SESSION.

Centre for Online and Distance Education Notes:

All CODE Courses are delivered through Canvas unless noted otherwise on the course outline.
https://canvas.sfu.ca

Required Readings listed on the course outlines are the responsibility of the student to purchase. Textbooks are available for purchase at the SFU Bookstore on the Burnaby campus or online through the Bookstore's website.

All CODE courses have an Additional Course Fee of $40

Exams
Exams are scheduled to be written on the SFU Burnaby campus at the noted time and date (unless noted as a take-home exam). 
If your course has a take-home exam, please refer to Canvas for further details. 

Students are responsible for following all Exam Policies and Procedures (e.g., missing an exam due to illness).

This course outline was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please check your course details in your online delivery method, such as Canvas.


*Important Note for U.S. citizens: As per the U.S. Department of Education, programs offered in whole or in part through telecommunications, otherwise known as distance education or correspondence are ineligible for Federal Direct Loans. This also includes scenarios where students who take distance education courses outside of their loan period and pay for them with their own funding, and attempt to apply for future Federal Direct Loans. 

For more information about US Direct Loans please visit and to read our FAQ on distance education courses, please go here: http://www.sfu.ca/students/financialaid/international/us-loans/federal-direct-loan.html

 

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS