Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2024 - CRIM 101 D100

Introduction to Criminology (3)

Class Number: 2830

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 6 – Aug 2, 2024: Tue, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Topics will include: examination of different terms and concepts commonly used in criminology, such as crime, delinquency, deviance, criminal, victim, rehabilitation and treatment. Criminology as a body of knowledge and as a profession. Position and subject matter of criminology. Relationship between criminology and other academic disciplines. Specificity of criminology. Relationship between theory and practice. History and evolution of criminological thought. Elements of continuity and discontinuity between classical and modern theories of criminality. Levels of explanations in criminology. Practical applications of criminology. The foundations of a modern criminal policy. Breadth-Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is designed to introduce students to the study of crime and criminal behaviour. The course is divided into four distinct sections. The first section of the course will be used to define the concept of crime and discuss the process of law creation. Emphasis will be placed on explaining why some behaviours are identified as “crimes” by the State and other behaviours avoid this label. The second section of this course will describe the academic domain of criminology. Focus will be placed on reviewing the various methodologies used by criminologists in their research and how these methodologies inform the development of criminological theory. The third – and largest – section of the course is devoted to various theories of crime causation.  Lectures and readings provide an overview of the various ideas scholars have developed to explain why some people engage in criminal behaviour and others do not. The policy implications of various perspectives will be discussed. The final section of the course will explore two special topics that have received considerable attention from criminologists over the past decade: 1) gender and crime; and 2) race/ethnicity and crime. Throughout the course, focus will be placed on the complex relationship between crime, the media and modern politics. 

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

-Identify and define key concepts (i.e., crime and deviance, delinquency, perpetrators and victims, crime types, deterrence, punishment, crime prevention, victimology, criminalization of marginality).

-Understand systems, institutions and social movements that influence public perceptions of crime (i.e., media, moral entrepreneurs, moral panics, crime control and due process, consensus and conflict approaches).

-Demonstrate understanding of the history and evolution of criminological thought and be able to critically analyze criminological theory and approaches (i.e., Classical, Positivist and Chicago Schools, social control and social learning theories, anomie-strain theories, environmental criminology theories and critical criminology).

-Identify components of the criminal justice system and how they operate in Canada (i.e., police, courts, corrections, criminal law, criminal justice and human rights policy).

-Demonstrate understanding of various sources of crime data (i.e., Uniform Crime Report, General Social Survey, self-report surveys, court and corrections data).

-Identify current and emerging issues and trends in criminology.

 

Grading

  • Draft Assignment Response 10%
  • Mid-term Test 25%
  • Final Assignment 30%
  • The end of term Test 25%
  • Tutorial participation (weekly) 10%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

1)         Boyd, Neil.  2024.  Understanding Crime in Canada: An Introduction to Criminology.  Toronto: Emond Montgomery Publications.

2)         Two additional readings (xxxx) will be posted on the course website.


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