Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - CRIM 131 D100

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

Class Number: 4059

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Fri, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 15, 2024
    Mon, 12:00–2:30 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-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
(1) 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);
(2) 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);
(3) Describe and critically assess the challenges to operating a CJS for diverse groups (youth, women, and multicultural communities);
(4) 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);
(5) 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;
(6) 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; and,
(7) 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

  • Lecture/Seminar Engagement & Activities* 8%
  • Online Reading & Honour Code Quizzes 12%
  • Midterm Examination 25%
  • Written Assignments 30%
  • Final Examination 25%

NOTES:

*Note: I drop the lowest score/missing score to provide flexibility

NOTE ABOUT THE THREE-HOUR LECTURE/SEMINAR FORMAT: The maximum 200-student lecture/seminar will be a combination of Dr. M. ‘lecturing’ mixed with activities. Student participation will be invited in each lecture/seminar in small and large group settings and include a lot of interaction with the instructional team.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

We will be using Top Hat to access the following Top Hat Interactive Textbook - Canadian Criminal Justice: A Primer 6th Edition

If you already have a Top Hat account:

You can access the below links to be taken directly to our course digital textbook – the course link is: https://app-ca.tophat.com/e/182257 

If you are new to Top Hat:
Go to https://app-ca.tophat.com/register/student
Search for our course textbook with the following Join Code: 182257

 From here, you will receive the following purchase options: 

1) Sign up for a 14 day free trial account 

2) Pay using your credit card 

The cost of the textbook is $82.50 (plus tax) and will be applied at checkout when signing up.

Your Top Hat textbook is not only easy to use, but also it is fully mobile too! For more information about the interactive features in the textbook, click here: https://success.tophat.com/s/article/Student-Using-Your-Textbook.

Should you require assistance with Top Hat at any time please contact their Support Team directly by way of email (support@tophat.com), the in-app support button, or by calling 1-888-663-5491. Specific user information may be required by their technical support team when troubleshooting issues. 

Students are required to log-in to Canvas (canvas.sfu.ca) on the first day of the semester and continue to log-in every 2-3 days thereafter.

 


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 term 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.