Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2023 - CRIM 316 D100

Sexual Offenders and Sexual Offences (3)

Class Number: 5982

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 6 – Dec 5, 2023: Wed, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CRIM 101 and 103.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Provides an overview of current theoretical, clinical, and legal issues related to sexual offenders and sexual offences. For each of these issues, consideration will be given to different approaches and perspectives, and debates characterizing them. The topics to be covered include: explanatory models of sexual offending; developmental risk factors of sexual offending; typologies of sexual offenders; criminal careers of sexual offenders; phallometric assessment; actuarial and clinical risk assessment; treatment programs and their effectiveness, and criminal justice system initiatives. Students with credit for CRIM 417 in Spring or Summer 2005 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:


This course provides an exploration and critical assessment of contemporary criminological, psychological and social theories of sexual offending. Using a criminological approach, the course examines the sex offender and his victim, the sexual crime, and the different responses to this type of crime. Students can also expect to explore current empirical development on the understanding and the prediction of sexual offending over the life-course. Students will learn clinical criminological skills necessary to the understanding of the underlying psychological mechanisms responsible for committing sexual offences. We will also explore important social and individual mechanisms responsible for the onset, persistence and desistance of sexual offending. 

 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:


  • Describe contemporary criminological, psychological, and social theories of sexual offending, and demonstrate understanding of the underlying psychological mechanisms responsible for perpetration of sexual offences.
  • Critically assess the theoretical, clinical, and legal issues related to sexual offenders and sexual offences.
  • Critically assess different approaches and perspectives to sexual offenders and sexual offences, and describe the key debates associated with each.
  • Identify and describe the developmental risk factors for sexual offending, and explain the criminal careers of sexual offenders.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with typologies of sexual offenders.
  • Demonstrate familiarity with a variety of assessments and interventions for sexual offenders (i.e., predictive measures, phallometric assessment, actuarial and clinical risk assessment, treatment programs, criminal justice system initiatives), and explain their strengths and shortcomings.

Grading

  • Paper 30%
  • Tests 60%
  • Participation 10%

NOTES:

There are no tutorials for this course. This is a 3-hour lecture. Participation will be done through Packback.

This course can be counted towards the Certificate in Police Studies, as well as towards a Major or Minor or Extended Minor. You must declare a certificate as soon as possible, so please see an advisor.   

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Book: Lussier, P., & Beauregard, E. (2018). Sexual Offending: A Criminological Perspective. UK: Routledge (Available for free on the library website)

Packback discussion platform (https://www.packback.co).

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

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the semester are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.