Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2024 - ECON 448W D100

Seminar in the Economics of Crime (3)

Class Number: 2515

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

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

  • Prerequisites:

    ECON 302 and ECON (or BUEC) 333, with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Explores the economics of crime. Topics will include statistical information on crime, economic theories of crime, deterrence, organized crime and related topics. Students with credit for ECON 448 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course is a seminar course in the economics of crime. The course will provide an overview of core issues and recent advances in the economics of crime. In the unit students will critically analyse topics related to the criminal justice system, including incarceration, policing, and the regulation of illicit drugs. Within an economic framework, the unit will also consider the ways in which social programs and other social conditions -- such as education, poverty, family structure and even environmental factors (such as lead exposure) -- affect crime and violence.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Topics: A wide variety of topics can be explored including: the classic behavioral models of criminal decisions; the deterrence effects of police, sentencing, incarceration, and labor market opportunities; the influence of education, health and addictive substances on criminal behavior;
along with other topics based on the most recent academic literature in this area. A detailed schedule of topics will be provided during the first week of class.

Grading

  • Policy Memos ( 2 to 3) 25%
  • Research Proposal and Presentation 25%
  • Weekly Reading Comprehension Quiz 25%
  • Lecture Participation (student-led discussions) 25%

NOTES:

This is a writing-intensive course so several types of written assignments will account for the majority of the final grade. The first type is a policy memo which is an opportunity to provide a written summary related to the assigned discussion papers and advice to a policymaker. There will be at least two such policy memos. Second, each student will write a research proposal on a specific economics of crime topic. In this assignment, students will propose an original research topic (but not necessarily executing it) and will motivate/relate the proposal to the existing literature. Students will be expected to present their research proposals in class. Finally, there will be a combination of weekly reading comprehension quizzes that will be held in person at the beginning of the lectures and student-led discussions of research papers.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

We will combine several chapters from the below book with various research articles and podcast interviews that I will make available.
Buonanno, Paolo, Paolo Vanin, and Juan Vargas, eds. A Modern Guide to the Economics of Crime. Edward Elgar Publishing, 2022.

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:

Please note that, as per Policy T20.01, the course requirements (and grading scheme) outlined here are subject to change up until the end of the first week of classes.

Final exam schedules will be released during the second month of classes. If your course has a final exam, please ensure that you are available during the entire final exam period until you receive confirmation of your exam dates. 

Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability must contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) at 778-782-3112 or caladmin@sfu.ca.

***NO TUTORIALS DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES***

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