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Département de criminologie | Departement of Criminology Faculté des sciences sociales | Faculty of Social Sciences

CRM1300F: INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY INSTRUCTOR: SAM ALVARO WINTER 2020 COURSE OUTLINE Class schedule:

Tuesday and Thursday 5:30- 6:50 PM 125 University (MNT) 203

Professor’s office hours:

Wednesday 6:00 -7:00 by appointment FSS 10054

E-mail:

[email protected]

Teaching assistants:

TBC

OFFICIAL COURSE DESCRIPTION Different conceptions of criminology and notions of crime and deviance. Social problems and social control. Functioning of the criminal justice system. Crime statistics and public opinion. Criminologist's role. COURSE OBJECTIVES Welcome to Criminology 1300! This course is a general survey of criminology to provide the student with a fundamental understanding of criminology as a discipline. It is also a course on critical thinking to challenge your conception of crime and the popular myths surrounding it. This course will cover a wide range of topics including: crimes that are committed, how as a society we define and count criminal acts, the institutions that deal with criminals in society, and lastly, what it means to be a criminal will all be explored during the course. Criminology is the study of crime, criminals and criminal behaviour. In this course, our main goals will be to (1) challenge your own views of crime, and (2) acquire some intellectual tools and analytic skills to help us reach a better understanding of the effects of crime on individuals and individuals on communities. While it is useful to learn facts about criminal acts (i.e., what happened, when, who was involved), it is equally as important to consider these facts critically. For instance, what

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are the sources of our facts? Are the facts complete? Are the sources unbiased? We must be cautious when drawing conclusions, and be aware of the complexity of the issues. The conclusions we as a society reach regarding criminal situations are often the basis for actions that have far-reaching effects on society. Required Texts Text: Rick Linden (2020) Criminology a Canadian Perspective. 9th (Nelson: Toronto). Please note that this book is available at the University bookstore Additional Readings: Any additional readings will be announced in class throughout the duration of the course and will be accessible via Brightspace QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS I will be available after class for questions regarding the lecture and its materials. I can be reached via email at [email protected]. However, e-mail is not a preferred method of communication; e-mail should be used in situations in which quick responses can be made to singular questions. If you do e-mail me, please indicate the course code in the e-mail subject heading, to facilitate immediate identification. If you do not receive a response within 48 hours, assume that I did not get your e-mail and re-send it. Also, please do not send me any attachments. A student’s initial contact should be with the Teaching Assistant. Any matters which the Teaching Assistant cannot effectively resolve will be forwarded to the professor. Students should note that the following e-mails will NOT receive a response: 1) questions which can be answered had the student referred to the course syllabus; 2) requests for ‘bonus mark’ assignments to raise their grades; 3) requests for information/course notes for classes in which the student was absent; 4) technical questions about Brightspace (please contact Teaching and Learning Support Services who maintains Virtual campus for these queries). COURSE EXPECTATIONS Class attendance is necessary to successfully complete this course at the University of Ottawa. Students are also expected to read the material; take notes; ask questions; and, engage in class discussions of the topics and themes that form the basis of this course. This means taking part in a professional and informed debate or discussion with one’s classmates. Occasionally, and without warning, I will call upon students to discuss a point or contribute to a discussion, so please be prepared. Note: In the past I have given bonus marks for outstanding participation during various in-class activities. Course notes are the responsibility of each student. The lectures are not posted on any website, nor are they made available through the library reserve. If you are unable to attend a lecture, you should make the effort to obtain notes from a classmate. Students will be responsible for all assigned readings and material presented in class, including this outline. All students are required to have a university e-mail and internet account. Please contact the University Computing Center if you do not have one. Please ensure whatever e-mail address you choose to use is one that will work with your university account (if not this account then your university account should be forwarded to your main account).

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The dates for evaluations are indicated below. If you are unable to turn in any of the assignments on the dates as scheduled below, it is strongly recommended that you consider taking the course at a more convenient time. You must complete all of the assignments in order to finish this course. Failure to complete all of the components of evaluation will result in a grade of ‘incomplete’ being assigned for the course. Note: Students should expect a two-week turnaround for marked evaluations SUPPLEMENTAL AND GRADE-RAISING EXAMINATIONS ARE NOT AVAILABLE METHODS OF EVALUATION AND DUE DATES 1. Mid-Term Examinations (2 x 25= 50%) – There will be two Mid-Term examinations scheduled during the regular class period on February 6th and March 10th 2. Brightspace Exercises (10%) - In the past, these exercises have taken the form of discussion boards, media analyses, and mini research assignments. This will be further discussed during lecture. 3. Final Examination (40%) The final examination will be held during the official examination period. This examination will be based on all material presented in class and assigned readings during the term. Criteria for the Evaluation of Grades A+ A A-

10 9 8

B+ B

7 6

C+ C

5 4

D+ D

3 2

F

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Outstanding performance. Represents work of exceptional quality. Content, organization and style all at a high comprehension of subject and use of existing research and literature where appropriate. Also uses sound critical thinking, has innovative ideas on the subject, and shows personal engagement with the topic. Good performance. Represents work of good quality with no major weakness. Writing is clear and explicit and topic coverage and comprehension is more than adequate. Shows some degree of critical thinking and personal involvement in the work. Good use of existing knowledge on the subject. Satisfactory performance. Adequate work. Shows fair comprehension of the subject, but has some weaknesses in content, style and/or organization of the paper. Minimal critical awareness or personal involvement in the work. Adequate use of the literature. Marginal performance. Minimally adequate work, barely at a passing level. Serious flaws in content, organization and/or style. Poor comprehension of the subject, and minimal involvement in the paper. Poor use of research and existing literature. Failing work

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LECTURE OUTLINE Date Lecture January 7-14 Readings

Critical Introduction and Images of Crime in Popular Culture Text: Chapter 12

January 16/21 Readings

What is Crime? Text: Chapter 1

January 23/28 Readings

State and Crime Text: Chapters 2 & 3

January 30 February 4 Readings

Patterns of Criminality in Canada Text: Chapters 4 & 5

February 6

Midterm Exam I

February 11/13 Readings

Explaining Crime Text: Chapters 9, 10, 13

February 25/27

Violent Crime

Readings

Text Chapter 6 Brightspace Reading: Melissa Rae Horsman & Patricia Cormack (2018) A meaningful meaninglessness: Canadian university culture as gendered and classbased privilege, Gender and Education, 30:1, 119-133.

March 3/5 Readings

Organized and White-Collar Crime Text: Chapters 16 & 17

March 10 March 12/17

Midterm II Policing in Canada

Readings

Brightspace Reading: Griffiths Policing Chapter 1

March 19/24

Text Chapter 7 Prosecution and Corrections

Readings

Brightspace Reading: Goff Corrections Chapter 12 Text Chapter 15

March 26/31 April 2 Readings

Globalization, Technology and Future Crime Trends Text: Chapter 18

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COURSE POLICIES Students should review the undergraduate calendar, particularly the sections concerning requirements relating to courses. LECTURE HALL BEHAVIOUR 1.

Only one person should be talking at a time. If you must talk in class, you should do so in a quiet manner or pass notes. People who are disrupting class will be asked to leave.

2.

All communication and other technological devices (cellular phones, ipads/ipods, cameras, musical devices) should be shut off or silenced during the lecture to minimize disruption. Laptops are permitted for note taking only, frequenting social media websites/or surfing the internet during lectures and, or displaying inappropriate imagery is not permitted.

3.

The use of recording (audio or visual) devices and/or photo taking is NOT permitted. Lectures are not allowed to be recorded; this also applies to any invited guest speakers.

4.

If you are late for a class, please quietly enter the lecture hall and locate the nearest open seat to minimize disruption.

5.

Please feel free to eat or drink in class; however, please be as quiet possible.

ASSIGNMENTS & EXAMINATIONS 1.

Absences from exams and the late submission of assignments must be supported by a medical certificate. DFR forms must be completed for both midterms and final exams. The form can be obtained at https://socialsciences.uottawa.ca/students/undergraduate-forms . Once completed, the form with supporting documentation (ex. medical certificate) will automatically be sent to the academic unit which offers the course. The request must be completed within five working days of the exam and must respect all the conditions of Academic Regulation 9.5 (https://www.uottawa.ca/administration-and-governance/academic-regulation-9evaluation-of-student-learning). The department or the faculty reserves the right to accept or refuse the reason put forward. Justifications such as travel, jobs or the misreading of the examination timetable are not acceptable.

2.

Student-athletes need to have a note from their coaches if they are going to miss an evaluation.

3.

Students are asked to hand in typed assignments. As computers sometimes need to be fixed - you should always have a back-up (memory stick or a printed copy). If your computer needs to be fixed near your deadline, you must have proof that you have been working on your assignment. You will need to show to the professor that you have been duly diligent in this situation to get an extension, for example by producing a completed draft of the assignment.

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4.

If you have an issue with the marking of your evaluations, see the person who marked it first and if you still have an issue then see the professor. Prior to meeting about your evaluation, you should have a typed, 600 word summary of the issue you have with your evaluation, point out specifically where the issue is and what you believe the grade should be. In addition, asking for your grade to be reviewed does not guarantee that the grade will be raised. Your evaluation will be entirely reappraised and the grade can go up, down or stay the same. Note: Students have five business days from the time marks are released to contact the professor or the person who marked the paper to resolve the issue.

ACADEMIC VIOLATIONS 1. The University of Ottawa Academic Calendar states that: “Academic fraud is an act by a student, which results in a false academic evaluation of that student or of another student”. Please read the relevant sections concerning academic fraud in the Undergraduate Calendar. Last session, most of the students found guilty of fraud were given an “F” for the course and had between three and 12 credits added to their program requirements. 2. Plagiarism is a serious matter and will be dealt with accordingly. All material quoted or paraphrased from any source must be properly credited. The instructor also reserves the right to orally examine any student. 3. For more information on that which constitutes academic fraud as well as strategies for avoiding this act, students are encouraged to consult the University of Ottawa website http://www.uottawa.ca/vice-presidentacademic/sites/www.uottawa.ca.vice-president-academic/files/academicintegrity-students-guide.pdf 4. Students are reminded that the use of electronic devices or any other communication tools that have not been approved beforehand are prohibited during examinations or tests. Further, any such device or tool must be shut off, stored and out of reach. Anyone who fails to comply with these regulations may be charged with academic fraud. WHERE TO GET HELP 1.

If you are having problems with the class, see me during office hours or contact one of the teaching assistants.

2.

If you are having general academic problems see the Centre for Academic Success or the Writing Centre.

3.

If you are having other problems, see an academic advisor.

4.

Accommodation for students with disabilities and/or special needs is available provided students requiring accommodation register first.

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RESOUR RESOURC CES FOR Y YOU OU

Resources for you BE AWARE OF ACADEMIC FRAUD Academic fraud consists of dishonest and wrongful acts on exams, tests or assignments, resulting in flawed grades and assessments. The University does not tolerate academic fraud, and anyone found guilty of this behavior is liable to severe penalties. Here are some examples of academic fraud:    

Plagiarizing or cheating in any way; Presenting falsified research data; Submitting an assignment of which you are not the sole author.; Presenting the same work from another course without written permission from the professors concerned.

With the development of the Internet these past years, it has become much easier to detect plagiarism. Indeed, given the powerful tools now at their disposal, your professors can, by typing a few simple words, readily trace the exact source of a text on the Web. For more information on fraud and how to avoid it, you can refer to the Faculty web page, which offers tips to help you with your studies and the writing process for university-level projects at the following address: : http://www.uottawa.ca/vicepresident-academic/sites/www.uottawa.ca.vice-president-academic/files/academicintegrity-students-guide.pdf Persons who commit or try to commit academic fraud, or who are accomplices in fraud, will be penalized. Here are some of the possible sanctions:   

a grade of F for the assignment or course in question; the imposition of three to 30 more credits as a condition of graduation; suspension or expulsion from their faculty.

FACULTY MENTORING CENTRE - http://socialsciences.uottawa.ca/mentoring The goal of the Mentoring Centre is to help students with their academic and social well-being during their time at the University of Ottawa. Regardless of where a student stands academically, or how far along they are in completing their degree, the Mentoring Centre is there to help students continue on their path to success. A student may choose to visit the Mentoring Centre for very different reasons. Younger students may wish to talk to their older peers to gain insight into programs and services offered by the University, while older student may simply want to brush up on study and time management skills or learn about programs and services for students nearing the end of their degree. In all, the Mentoring Centre offers a place for students to talk about concerns and 7

problems that they might have in any facet of their lives. While students are able to voice their concerns and problems without fear of judgment, mentors can garner further insight in issues unique to students and find a more practical solution to better improve the services that the Faculty of Social Sciences offers, as well as the services offered by the University of Ottawa. ACADEMIC WRITING HELP CENTRE - http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/writing/ At the AWHC you will learn how to identify, correct and ultimately avoid errors in your writing and become an autonomous writer. In working with our Writing Advisors, you will be able to acquire the abilities, strategies and writing tools that will enable you to:    

Master the written language of your choice Expand your critical thinking abilities Develop your argumentation skills Learn what the expectations are for academic writing

COUNSELLING AND COACHING - http://sass.uottawa.ca/en/personal There are many reasons to take advantage of the Counselling Service. We offer:  Personal counselling  Career counselling  Study skills counselling HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICE - https://www.uottawa.ca/respect/en Mandate: To provide leadership in the creation, implementation and evaluation of policies, procedures and practices on diversity, inclusion, equity, accessibility and the prevention of harassment and discrimination. Contact information: 1 Stewart St. (Main Floor – Room 121) - Tel.: 613-562-5222 / Email: [email protected] ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS - http://sass.uottawa.ca/en/access The University has always strived to meet the needs of individuals with learning disabilities or with other temporary or permanent functional disabilities (hearing/visual impairments, sustained health issues, mental health problems), and the campus community works collaboratively so that you can develop and maintain your autonomy, as well as reach your full potential throughout your studies. You can call on a wide range of services and resources, all provided with expertise, professionalism and confidentiality. If barriers are preventing you from integrating into university life and you need adaptive measures to progress (physical setting, arrangements for exams, learning strategies, etc.), contact the Access Service right away:  in person in our office  online 8

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by phone at 613-562-5976

Deadlines for submitting requests for adaptive measures during exams  midterms, tests, deferred exams: seven business days before the exam, test or other written evaluation (excluding the day of the exam itself  final exams: o November 15 for the fall session o March 15 for the winter session o Seven business days before the date of the exam for the spring/summer session (excluding the day of the exam itself). CAREER DEVELOPMENT CENTRE - http://www.sass.uottawa.ca/careers/ Career Development Centre offers various services and resources in career development to enable you to recognize and enhance the employability skills you need in today's world of work. STUDENT RESOURCES CENTRES - http://www.communitylife.uottawa.ca/en/resources.php The Student Resources Centres aim to fulfill all sorts of student needs. uoSatisfACTION SHAKE THINGS UP! Do you have any comments on your university experience or suggestions on how to improve it? Tell us! https://www.uottawa.ca/vice-president-academic/satisfaction?p=2

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HANDOUTS What is Crime Exercise Directions: Rank each crime on a scale of One through Five. One being t...