Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2022 - CRIM 318 B100

Special Topics in Criminology (3)

Police Strategy& Problem Solving

Class Number: 5917

Delivery Method: Blended

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: Wed, 8:30–9:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

    Sep 7 – Dec 6, 2022: TBA, TBA
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Dec 9, 2022
    Fri, 3:00–3:00 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CRIM 101.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A critical analysis of specific areas of criminology or criminal justice. The subjects covered will change from term to term depending on the specific interests of faculty, or students and current issues in criminology.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines what works and what does not work in policing strategies. The course begins by reviewing the standard models of policing (e.g., random patrolling, investigations, increasing number of police officers). Next, the course focuses on the community-focused strategies that emerged to improve upon standard models (e.g., community policing, broken windows policing, Compstat). The course then shifts to the more contemporary strategies, including hotspots, focused deterrence, problem-oriented, third-party, and evidence-based policing. There will be an emphasis on police problem-solving methods to reduce crime. Students will learn the logic behind each strategy and which strategies have been found to reduce crime according to research.

This is a blended course. Each week students are to complete a 50-minute in-person lecture, a 50-minute online component, and a 50-minute in-person tutorial.



COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Demonstrate understanding of theoretical explanations for why various policing strategies should reduce crime
  • Describe how research has been carried out to determine the effectiveness of policing strategies
  • Assess the research on which policing strategies are supported by empirical evidence and which are not
  • Understand how problem-solving is applied in more contemporary policing strategies

Grading

  • Academic Integrity & Plagiarism Tutorials/Quizzes P/F%
  • In-Person Tutorial Component (Presentation & Participation) 20%
  • Online Component 10%
  • Midterm Exam 25%
  • Term Paper 20%
  • Final Exam 25%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Required textbook: Weisburd, D. & Braga, A. (2019). Police innovation: Contrasting perspectives (2nd). Cambridge University Press.

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