Fall 2022 - CRIM 311 D100

Minorities and the Criminal Justice System (3)

Class Number: 2612

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CRIM 101.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An analysis of political, economic, and ethnic minorities and their relationship with the criminal justice system. Critical analysis of possible discordance, disharmony or conflict between ethnic and racial minorities such as Native Indians, Inuit, Metis, Doukhobor and others and the legal and social norms of the 'host' majority. Women and the criminal justice system.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course critically examines the relationships among ethnic, racial and sexual minorities in the criminal justice system in Canada. Students will be introduced to a range of practical and theoretical issues in thinking critically about state responses to minorities in Canada and minority views of the Canadian criminal justice system. Specific themes in the course include thinking about how minorities are criminalized in the justice system, their construction by the state and media institutions as criminals or potential criminals and victims, the interplay of ‘difference’, community, and identity as analytical concepts within the framework of multiculturalism. Readings include both Canadian and cross-cultural examples of writings by and about women, racial, ethnic and sexual minorities.

NOTE: This course deals with issues related to inequality, marginalization, discrimination, interpersonal and state violence, and trauma. If you would like support in dealing with any health related concerns or emotions triggered by course content, please visit SFU’s Health and Counselling Services website or visit the Health Clinic on any one of the three campuses to make an appointment.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Demonstrate familiarity with, and be able to apply, key concepts related to minorities and the Canadian criminal justice system.
  • Critically analyze the Canadian criminal justice system and state responses to and experiences of minority groups in Canada.
  • Demonstrate understanding of minority views of the Canadian criminal justice system.
  • Describe and critically analyze discrimination against and criminalization of minority groups (i.e., gender, racial, ethnic, and sexual minority groups).
  • Critically assess discrimination against Indigenous peoples in Canada’s CJS and the factors that led to their over-representation (i.e., colonialism, assimilation, Indian Residential Schools, and intergenerational trauma)
  • Propose alternative policy solutions to address historical and on-going inequities experienced by Indigenous peoples (e.g., Calls to action provided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission).
  • Develop reflective thinking skills related to personal assumptions, minority views of the Canadian criminal justice system, and the production of knowledge.

Grading

  • Tutorial Participation & Discussion Questions 20%
  • Critical Reflection & Application Assignments 45%
  • Book Review 35%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

1. Maynard, Robin. 2017. Policing Black lives: State violence in Canada from slavery to the present. Halifax, NS/Winnipeg, MB: Fernwood Publishing.

2. Milward, David. 2022. Reconciliation & Indigenous Justice. A Search for Ways Forward. Halifax, NS/Winnipeg, MB: Fernwood Publishing.

3. Additional required readings and materials available through the course Canvas page.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

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 Center 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.
  • ON CAMPUS COURSES ONLY: Assignments not submitted to the Professor/T.A. during class/office hours must be placed in the security box behind the General Office (SWH 10156), or submitted as per Professor’s instructions for courses taking place at Surrey Campus. 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 aspects of a course (including assignments, exams, class participation, presentations, chat room components of Distance Education courses and other), otherwise they will receive a grade of N. 
  • The University has formal policies regarding intellectual dishonesty and grade appeals which may be obtained from the General Office of the School of Criminology.
  • Under GP18, the University has policies and procedures which respond to our obligations under the BC Human Rights Code to provide a harassment and discrimination free environment for the students, staff and faculty of this institution.  Members of this community have an affirmative obligation to safeguard the human rights of others.

UNIVERSITY POLICY FORBIDS FINAL EXAMINATIONS WHILE CLASSES ARE STILL IN SESSION.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as soon as possible to ensure that they are eligible and that approved accommodations and services are implemented in a timely fashion.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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