Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2023 - CRIM 131 D100

Introduction to the Criminal Justice System - A Total System Approach (3)

Class Number: 1989

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 4 – Apr 11, 2023: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 13, 2023
    Thu, 11:59–11:59 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introductory analysis of the structure and operation of the Canadian criminal justice system. Examination of the patterns of crime and victimization; police operations, discretion and decision making; the criminal courts, including sentencing; the corrections system, including correctional institutions and community-based models; the youth justice system. Patterns of contact and conflict between various social groups and the criminal justice system. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This breadth course provides students with an overview and introduction to issues related to the criminal justice system in Canada. Students will receive an introduction to the three major players in criminal justice: the police, the courts, and corrections. Students will receive overview of the purpose, role, structure, organization, and responsibilities of different actors within the criminal justice system. This will include a discussion of different marginalized groups and their interactions within criminal justice and broad social and political contexts. Students will be exposed to a special topic on youth justice and be invited to discuss and share ideas on reforming our justice system. Students will be challenged to think critically about the complexity of various aspects of the criminal justice system in Canada. In addition to those identified in the calendar description, the main themes in this course center around racial and social inequalities and disparities in the system and those who are entangled in the system; the role of power; the complexity of the roles of different justice actors; and the operation of the system.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Identify and demonstrate understanding of the relationship between various components of the criminal justice system and their structure and operation in Canada (i.e., police, courts, corrections, criminal law, criminal justice and human rights policy).
  • Identify and explain challenges, trends and policy shifts in the criminal justice system (i.e., media, public and political responses, high-profile cases, police, court and corrections data).
  • Describe and critically assess the challenges to operating a CJS for diverse groups (Racialized communities, Indigenous communities, youth, women, and multicultural communities).
  • Describe and critically assess the over-representation of 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).
  • Describe and critically assess the structure and culture of policing, factors that influence police decision-making and discretion, policing models, use and abuse of police powers, and relationships between police and various institutions and communities.
  • Describe and critically assess the structure and types of courts, factors that influence legal and decision-making and discretion, sentencing, relationships between court room actors and the accused, victims, witnesses and other affected individuals.
  • Describe and critically assess the structure and operation of corrections programs (i.e., community, provincial, and federal corrections and alternatives to corrections), factors that influence custody and release decisions, use and abuse of power in correctional facilities, and programming and re-entry.

Grading

  • Tutorials 15%
  • Midterm 25%
  • Media Analysis Assignment 30%
  • Final Take Home Exam 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

  1. Griffiths, C.T. (2019). Canadian criminal justice: A primer (6th Edition). Nelson Education Ltd.
  2. Additional electronic readings will be assigned throughout the semester.

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