Criminology Courses
Department website
http://www.douglascollege.ca/programs/criminology.html
CRIM 1100 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System (3 credits)
This course examines the Canadian Criminal Justice System from a systems approach. A criminal incident will be followed through the system from detection to apprehension of the offender to the end of any formal or informal disposition. The factors involved in the discretion, decisions and practices of the entire system, including statutory and voluntary agencies are studied. The functions and dysfunctions of the system will be analyzed and current issues and reform initiatives will be reviewed.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 4
Offered: Fall/Winter and/or Summer
CRIM 1101 Comparative Justice Systems (3 credits)
This course provides the student with the valuable opportunity to study a foreign justice system from a comparative viewpoint. A series of lectures, readings and assignments will precede travel to a foreign jurisdiction where site visits, tours and interactive seminars will follow. The student will gain first-hand experience and knowledge on a foreign jurisdiction as it compares to the Canadian Justice System.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: None
Lecture (pre tour): 10
Field experience: 50
Offered: TBA
CRIM 1120 Introduction to Policing (3 credits)
This course covers the historical development of policing as a component of the total justice system. Specific topics examined include the police function, police community roles, authority, police stress and the organization and structure of policing in Canada. Key issues including the use of force, corruption, accountability and the political dimension of police work are examined in detail.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 4
Offered: Fall/Winter and/or Summer
CRIM 1121 Historical Perspectives in Criminal Justice (3 credits)
A historical review of society's reaction to crime and deviance and the the continued pattern of the operation of the criminal justice system in Europe and North America over the centuries. The course related this history to various political, legal,social, theoretical, philisophical movements and schools of thought. The development of the criminal law is traced through the development of the police institution, the courts and the birth of the prison and other secure institutions designed to control the deviant. Consideration of the history, transformation and evolution of punishment and imprisonment practice that seemly molds itself independent of actual crime, criminality and perceived deviancy in society. In-depth examination of historical forces influencing the development, implementation, and modification of criminal justice approaches.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 4
Offered: TBA
CRIM 1150 Introduction to Criminology (3 credits)
This course provides an introduction to the basic concepts and content of criminology, such as crime, criminal, delinquent, deviant, treatment, rehabilitation and victim. The position of criminology, its relationships with other sciences and the relationships between theory and practice are also included. The evolution of criminological thought through classical and modern theories will be covered. Scientific foundations for a modern criminal policy will be discussed.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 4
Offered: Fall/Winter and/or Summer
CRIM 1160 The Canadian Legal System (3 credits)
This course focuses on the history, development and present-day operation of the Canadian legal system. The topics that will be examined include: constitutional law; criminal, contract, and tort law; human rights; administrative law; the court system; the functions of judges and lawyers and the basic elements of legal reasoning.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 4
Offered: Fall/Winter and/or Summer
CRIM 1170 Introduction to Corrections (3 credits)
This course involves a historical review of Canadian, European and American correctional systems and the current theory and practice of Canadian Corrections. Topics will include sentencing, alternatives to incarceration, the incarceration, process, correctional workers, and institutional programs (e.g. work, education, security, social rehabilitation, community-based correctional programs, community involvement in corrections and issues in corrections).
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: None
Lecture: 4
Offered: Fall/Winter and/or Summer
CRIM 2140 Interviewing and Professional Skills (3 credits)
This course focuses on the dynamics of interpersonal communication and professional behaviour present in interviewing situations. Professional ethics, confidentiality, stereotypes and values are examined. Attention is given to effective listening, constructive feedback, elements of verbal and non-verbal communication, appropriate self-disclosure and confrontation and structuring for information. In-class opportunities are provided for students to challenge, evaluate and share appropriate professional behaviour and interviewing styles. Opportunities include role-playing, presentations, small group discussions, simulated and actual interviews. Enrolment is for criminology students only.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CRIM 1100, 1150 and 1160 (for Criminology program students only)
Lecture: 4
Offered: Fall/Winter and/or Summer
CRIM 2220 The Police and the Community: Problems and Issues (3 credits)
This course examines the philosophy and practice of community policing and contrasts community-based approaches with traditional models of policing. The course critically explores the history of community policing and police reform in Canada specifically and in North America generally. It reviews the structure and delivery of modern policing services as a response to contemporary issues such as fear of crime and the changing nature of crime in diverse communities.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CRIM 1120
Lecture: 4
Offered: Winter
CRIM 2251 Psychological Explanations of Criminal Behaviour (3 credits)
This course will involve a detailed study of psychological approaches to explaining recidivist criminal behaviour. Some of the specific theories subject to critical examination will include: psychoanalytic, behaviourism, social cognitive, developmental, and Eysenck's Theory of Personality and Crime. Theoretical and empirical approaches will be utilized to explain the behaviour of offenders involved in property crimes and/or violent crimes.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: PSYC 1100
Lecture: 4
Offered: Fall/Winter and/or Summer
CRIM 2252 Sociological Explanations of Criminal Behaviour (3 credits)
This course will critically examine the sociological, socio-cultural and socio-psychological explanations of criminal behaviour such as the ecological theories, conflict theories, control theories and symbolic interactionist theories. Some of the specific theories subjected to critical examination will be those concerned with class and group conflict, subcultures, social conditioning, containment, differential association, labelling and gender.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: SOCI 1125
Lecture: 4
Offered: Fall/Winter and/or Summer
CRIM 2253 Youth, Crime and The Law (3 credits)
This course provides an introduction to processes of construction and response to youth crime. These processes are examined in historical and contemporary contexts. Attention is focused upon the social construction of the young offender and the emerging criticisms of this notion. Theoretical explanations for the criminal behaviours of the young offender, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and its application, and relevent components of the justice system, programs and agencies related to the control of youth crime are discussed. A series of related topics will also be introduced.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CRIM 1150
Lecture: 4
Offered: Winter
CRIM 2254 Research Methods in Criminology (3 credits)
This is an introductory course in research methodology in Criminology and the Social Sciences. Topics addressed include: origin of research questions; qualitative and quantitative approaches; deductive and inductive approaches including theory, hypothesis testing and causality; sampling; and ethical issues in research. using an inter-disciplinary approach, course materials will focus on research in criminology and criminal justice. Emphasis will be placed on data gathering techniques.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CRIM 1150
Lecture: 3; Seminar: 1
Offered: Fall/Winter and/or Summer
CRIM 2255 Aboriginal Peoples: Crime and Administration of Justice (3 credits)
This course uses the tools of criminology to examine crime and deviance of Aboriginal peoples and community responses to this behaviour. An examination of various theories to explain the nature and patterns of Aboriginal crime and delinquency is provided. A critical examination of the Aboriginal experience with the criminal justice system is included. Innovative Canadian and international services for Aboriginals will also be examined.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CRIM 1100 or CRIM 1150.
Lecture: 2; Seminar: 2
Offered: Winter
CRIM 2256 The Female Offender (3 credits)
This course will examine the female offender by focusing on how women's criminality is created and responded to, both historically and in the current Canadian context. The significance of patriarchal ideology and the role of social control agencies in the defining and processing of women as offenders will be examined. Against this backdrop some of the topics to be considered are: historical subordination, traditional and contemporary criminological explanations, characteristics of Canada's female offenders, control and punishment, and strategies for change.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CRIM 1150
Lecture: 4
Offered: Fall
CRIM 2260 Criminal Law (3 credits)
This course is designed to give students an understanding of Canadian criminal law. The course will begin with a review of the sources of criminal law and how the criminal law operates within the structure of the justice system. Students will be introduced to the role of criminal law in society through a discussion of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and recent cases. This will be followed by a thorough examination of the principles of substantive Canadian criminal law. The substantive criminal law will be explained and examined by the use of the case method. General principles of law will be discussed in the context of specific cases decided by the courts. Students will be encouraged to consider the law critically, from both an academic and practical perspective.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CRIM 1160
Lecture: 4
Offered: Fall/Winter and/or Summer
CRIM 2261 Administration of Justice (3 credits)
This course introduces students to an overview of the study of law, politics and the administration of justice in Canada. The first part of the course examines elements of governmental structures and processes impacting on justice policy-making and administration. Topics covered in the second part of the course include the roles of and interplay between government and justice system agencies, Crown and defence counsel, corrections agencies, judges and legislators in creation and implementation of justice policy. The third part of the course will deal with the application of the understanding developed in parts one and two to a variety of significant current issues in the administration of justice.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CRIM 1160
Lecture: 4
Offered: Fall/Winter and/or Summer
CRIM 2262 Criminal Procedure and Evidence (3 credits)
This course is an introduction to the law of Criminal Procedure and Evidence in the criminal process of Canada. It is designed to explain and critique the legal rules pertaining to the gathering of evidence, the court process, the admissibility of evidence at trial and post-conviction sentencing, appeals and other remedies.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CRIM 1160
Lecture: 4
Offered: Fall
CRIM 2275 Issues in Correctional Practice (3 credits)
This course builds upon Criminology 1170, examining controversial issues in correctional practice. A variety of topics will be discussed. Included are: the influence of correctional policy; the influence of the public and professionals on the activity of corrections; the objectives of institutional and community corrections; special offender groups; the prediction of dangerousness; violence in institutions; ethics; critiquing correctional practice; and challenges facing corrections in the future.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CRIM 1170
Lecture: 4
Offered: Winter
CRIM 2340 Criminology - Practicum (3 credits)
This course provides the student with an opportunity to gain valuable work experience in the criminal justice field. Students will be exposed to the daily operations and informal and formal structure of a chosen agency. The theoretical and substantive roles played by each agency in the wider criminal justice context will be discussed.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: 18 semester credits in Criminology Program including CRIM 2140
Seminar: 6; Practicum: 200 hrs/per semester
Offered: TBA
CRIM 3310 Advanced Theoretical Perspectives (3 credits)
This course explores the diverse nature of theory within the field of crime and deviance by focusing on modern, post-modern and post-critical theories. The selected paradigms are studied with regard to their explanatory domain, role in examining social and criminological problems and research implications.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisites: (CRIM 1150 or CRIM 2251) and (CRIM 2252 and SOCI 1125)
Lecture: 4
Offered: Fall
CRIM 3320 Environmental Crime and Law
This course focuses on environmental crime and the law. The course deals with specific issues that pertain to the nature and responses to environmental harm. Crimes against nature include a wide variety of transgressions against humans, environments and non-human animals. The course also deals with broad agendas in the sense of generating conceptual understandings of harm, victimization, law enforcement and social regulation that are relevant for a criminological approach to environmental issues. The course explores the strengths and weaknesses of federal and provincial environmental laws as they apply to water, air and land, as well as biodiversity. The course concludes by discussing prescriptions for Canada's future in terms of the environment.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide.
Prerequisite: 1160
Lecture: 4
Offered: TBA
CRIM 3335 Human Rights and Civil Liberties (3 credits)
This course focuses on the relationship between government and the individual. The primary focus is on the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its interpretation by the judiciary. Key Charter concepts including equality before the law, freedom of expression, freedom of religion and democratic rights are examined.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CRIM 1160
Lecture: 4
Offered: Fall/Winter and/or Summer
CRIM 3340 Problem Solving and Interventions in Criminal Justice (3 credits)
This course will explore theoretical perspectives and practical skill sets for effective communication, intervention and problem-solving with a criminal justice context. This course will introduce strategies for negotiation, mediation, crisis intervention, conflict de-escalation and problem management. Practical approaches for assessing, managing and intervening in various criminal justice situations will be explored. Challenges with difficult client groups will be identified and appropriate interventions surveyed. Students will have ongoing opportunities to develop and practise skills and interventions throughout this interactive course.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CRIM 1100 and CRIM 1150
Lecture: 2; Seminar: 2
Not offered: Fall/Winter and/or Summer
CRIM 3370 Sex Offenders and Sexual Offences (3 credits)
This course explores the topic of sexual offenders and sexual offences. Contemporary and historical theory will be critically analyzed. Description and prevalence of specific sexual offences, sexual offenders, and coercive paraphilias will be addressed. The etiology of sexual offences will be discussed from sociological, psychological, biological, and multifactorial perspectives. Both sexual and nonsexual recidivism rates of sexual offenders will be compared. An overview of available sex offender risk assessment tools will be discussed and their effectiveness evaluated. Alternative measures, including community notification, available to the criminal justice system will be explored. Treatment options and the general state of sexual offender treatment are reviewed.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide.
Prerequisite: Crim 1150
Lecture: 4
Offered: TBA
CRIM 3376 Restorative Justice (3 credits)
This course provides an exploration of restorative justice. The history, philosophy and strategies of restorative (transformative) justice are explored. Prevailing assumptions about crime and justice are challenged and retributive, distributive and restorative approaches are compared and contrasted. Particular attention is paid to the importance of values in restorative justice. The importance of roles of victims, offenders, community, police and government are examined. Canadian and international examples and expressions of restorative justice programs are reviewed. Consideration is given to evaluation and assessment of restorative justice initiatives and attemptes to co-opt resorative justice for purposes inconsistent with the philosophy.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisites: CRIM 1100, CRIM 1150
Lecture: 4
Offered: Winter
CRIM 3380 Organized Crime (3 credits)
This course provides an examination of the many forms of organized crime from traditional organized crime groups to street level gangs. A review of relevant academic and legal sources will be conducted to illustrate the phenomenon of organized crime. A specific focus will be on current events in British Columbia and, moreover, the impact of local crime groups and crime industries on a global perspective. Additional topics include political responses to organized crime and gang violence, and how Canadian citizens are influenced by media and the unique U.S. experience. Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the topic through in-depth study of relevant literature, research and the evaluation of recent developments in the area.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CRIM 1100
Lecture: 4
Offered: TBA
CRIM 3390 Crime and Intelligence Analysis (3 credits)
This course introduces students to the types of crime and intelligence analysis, and the roles played by analysts themselves. Students will also learn the fundamentals of crime analysis, core competencies, models of intelligence and logic; as well as preparing and presenting intelligence end-products. Students are introduced to data-mining and visual investigative systems, as well as crime analysis and mapping software for criminal justice purposes.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisite: CRIM 1100
Lecture/Lab: 4
Offered: Fall/Winter and/or Summer
CRIM 4410 Canadian Law and the Mentally Disordered Offender (3 credits)
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the experience of the mentally disordered offender in the criminal justice system in terms of the structure and process imposed on these offenders. Students will be introduced to the various professional disciplines at work in the Canadian Criminal justice and Forensic Psychiatric Systems. The course focuses on the criminal process and procedures in place to detain and treat the criminally accused mentally disordered person. The legal concept of "protection of the public" is examined in detail and the student in introduced to current issues in mental health law. Students will be encouraged to critically consider the mental disorder provisions of the law and the treatment, care and control of the mentally disordered person from both practical and academic perspectives.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisites: CRIM 1100 and CRIM 1150 and CRIM 1160 (Recommended: CRIM 2260 and/or CRIM 2261)
Offered: Winter
CRIM 4420: Media, Crime and Criminal Justice (3 credits)
This course examines the relationship between media, crime and the criminal justice system. Emphasis is placed on how various types of media construct or perceive criminal activities, and how the media influences public policy and shapes perceptions of crime as a social problem. Students will learn to interpret and analyze specific examples of media representations of crime. Topics include crime news and entertainment, and the media as a cause, consequence and cure for crime and news- making criminology.
To find out where this course transfers, check the BC Transfer Guide
Prerequisites: 1150
Offered: TBA