Current Courses

This course is designed to introduce the student to the discipline of criminology: its origins, the nature of disciplinary debates, and a sampling of theoretical and methodological issues. It involves an examination of crime patterns, causes of criminal behaviour and crime prevention strategies. This course also introduces the student to core topics covered in electives in the second year: courts, young offenders, police, corrections, and victimology. This introductory course is a prerequisite for all upper-level courses.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the discipline of criminology: its origins, the nature of disciplinary debates, and a sampling of theoretical and methodological issues. It involves an examination of crime patterns, causes of criminal behaviour and crime prevention strategies. This course also introduces the student to core topics covered in electives in the second year: courts, young offenders, police, corrections, and victimology. This introductory course is a prerequisite for all upper-level courses.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the discipline of criminology: its origins, the nature of disciplinary debates, and a sampling of theoretical and methodological issues. It involves an examination of crime patterns, causes of criminal behaviour and crime prevention strategies. This course also introduces the student to core topics covered in electives in the second year: courts, young offenders, police, corrections, and victimology. This introductory course is a prerequisite for all upper-level courses.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the discipline of criminology: its origins, the nature of disciplinary debates, and a sampling of theoretical and methodological issues. It involves an examination of crime patterns, causes of criminal behaviour and crime prevention strategies. This course also introduces the student to core topics covered in electives in the second year: courts, young offenders, police, corrections, and victimology. This introductory course is a prerequisite for all upper-level courses.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the role criminology plays in both formulating and critiquing criminal justice policy and a sampling of theoretical and methodological issues. It involves a critical look at the nature of the criminal justice system, the role of the state and the creation of policies through the passing of bills, legislation, and statutes pertinent to the interpretation of the Criminal Code. This course also introduces the student to core topics covered in electives in the second year: courts, young offenders, police, corrections, and victimology. This introductory course is a prerequisite for all upperlevel courses.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the role criminology plays in both formulating and critiquing criminal justice policy and a sampling of theoretical and methodological issues. It involves a critical look at the nature of the criminal justice system, the role of the state and the creation of policies through the passing of bills, legislation, and statutes pertinent to the interpretation of the Criminal Code. This course also introduces the student to core topics covered in electives in the second year: courts, young offenders, police, corrections, and victimology. This introductory course is a prerequisite for all upperlevel courses.

This course will be a survey course of classical theories in criminology. Classical theories will include the influences of work by early criminologists such as Bentham, Beccaria, Lombroso, Quetelet, and Durkheim in the development of theory and the history of theories of punishment. This course will build on the historical roots of crime and criminological theory in pre-20th century criminological theory. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to qualitative research methods. Students will learn the theoretical and epistemological foundations of qualitative methods and explore a number of data collection methods inherent to qualitative research, as well as critically evaluate and make appropriate use of secondary information sources. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to social science research methods and statistics as they apply to criminology and criminal justice issues. It aims to help students understand the fundamentals of the scientific method, including research design, sampling methodologies, measurement strategies, statistics, and data collection techniques, while assisting them in the development of the necessary critical thinking skills to critique and evaluate criminal justice research. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course provides an introduction to criminal law - what it is, how it came into being, and the various elements of offences and forms of defence within Canada's criminal law system. Possible topics include: sources of criminal law in Canada; duty to act; voluntariness; negligent homicide; causation; strict and absolute liability; attempts; and a variety of criminal defences, including mental disorder, mistake of fact, consent, provocation, and necessity. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course will examine theories of juvenile delinquency in historical and contemporary perspectives. A review of Canadian legislation concerning young offenders will be done to illuminate the official response to juvenile delinquency in light of the theories noted above. Special attention will be given to the Young Offenders Act, juvenile justice in Canada, the disposition of young offenders, and the rights of young adults. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course is designed to examine the social and political role of the police and police practices in the contemporary Canadian society. The topics that will be discussed include the functions and objectives of modern policing, police discretion, police powers, and structures of accountability. Particular attention will be given to an examination of the context of police - community relations and crime prevention initiatives. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course will provide an analysis of the concept of "at-risk" children and youth from a theoretical and practical application. Considering the question of "risk" from an ecological framework as well as a constructionist perspective, individual and social factors which have an impact on children's and youth ability to cope with threats to their development will be critically evaluated. The literature on resilience in the context of both individual and social justice paradigms will also provide students an opportunity to consider various interventions designed to promote healthy development. Topics may include: youth homelessness, children of incarcerated parents, the impact of poverty on children and families, school drop outs, substance abuse, sport and leisure as crime prevention, bullying. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course critically examines, using a feminist lens, how gender informs women's experiences with crime and the criminal justice system in Canada. Topics to be covered include: intersections of race, class and gender, regulating women, incarceration, dominant ideological constructions of the "female offenders," and recent popular culture representations of women and crime. Prerequisite: CRIM 1013 & CRIM 1023

This course examines the intersection of (in)equality, crime and social (in)justice in Canada through a criminology of difference and diversity. Through theoretical and practical material, the course explores how people experience crime and criminal (in)justice through multiple sites of diversity, such as age, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, social class, religion, etc. Prerequisite: CRIM 1013 & CRIM 1023

This course will explore, from an historical and contemporary perspective, social protest in Canada. Some of the topics that will be studied in this course include: Strikes and Riots; The Women's Liberation Movement; The Gay Liberation Movement; The Environmental Movement; the Counter-Culture Movement of the 1960s and 1970s and Student Protests; The Civil Rights Movement; Anti-War Demonstrations; and First Nations Protests. It will explain the reasons for and the nature of social protest and discuss how social protest groups have shaped the law, politics and popular culture in Canada. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and CRIM 1023.

This course will examine this specialized field of criminology which is related to the study of victims of crime and factors connected to the victim. A historical perspective on the study of victimology, theories related to the explanation of victimization, the modern evolution of victim rights, and the development of victim services will be examined. Specific victim groups, provincial and federal legislation related to victims, the United Nations Charter of Victims Rights will be addressed, as well as the delivery of services to victims involved in the criminal justice system. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course is an in-depth analysis of policy issues related to policing, courts, and corrections. Through an analysis of contemporary issues facing the criminal justice system in Canada, students will examine the links between the police, politics, law, and the administration of justice. Further, students will explore the roles and responsibilities of various government departments and agencies, non-government agencies, and community organizations affiliated directly and indirectly with the criminal justice system to gain a greater understanding of how to access resources and services for persons affected by the criminal justice system. This is a required course for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Criminal Justice and is open to students in Criminology. Pre-requisities: CRIM 1013 and CRIM 1023.

This course provides an overview of the organizational structure and functions of the court system in Canada. The theory and practice of bail, legal representation, prosecution, the trial, sentencing, and the appeal process will be covered. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course involves the analysis of crime in the media, focusing on such vehicles as television crime shows, newsmagazine documentaries, newspaper reports and the worldwide web. Methodological and theoretical approaches to be used include discourse and content analysis, triangulation, critical criminology, social constructionism, and critical contextual analysis. Topics include terrorism, gendered violence, hate crime, crime waves, serial homicide, police crime, and youth crime. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course will explore popular and primarily American film from a criminological perspective, paying particular attention to how we understand crime through film. Such themes as what is a crime film?, criminology in crime films, police films, court room films, and prison films will be explored. At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to critically evaluate film and the relationships between crime and society portrayed through popular film. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course introduces students to the power and impact of discourse in criminology. The discourses of crime will be critically analyzed through such topics as interviews, interrogations, testimony, written accounts, judicial interpretations, and media accounts. Prerequisite: A minimum of 75 credit hours, which includes CRIM 1013 and 1023, or permission of the instructor.

Wrongful convictions undermine the "legitimacy premise" that accused persons are innocent until proven guilty under the law. This course focuses on reasons and factors contributing to wrongful convictions: eyewitness identification, jailhouse informants; and looks at outcomes and legislations that have been enacted to prevent and remedy these legal/social injustices. This course explores how police, expert witnesses, prosecutors, defence lawyers, juries, trial judges and defendants contribute to wrongful convictions; and how that can be remedied. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course is designed to study harms against the environment writ large, and actions designed to protest and protect against those harms. Topics include environmental pollution in nature, home and workplace; relevant law and policy; corporate crimes against humanity; and, environmental protest and justice movements. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and CRIM 1023 or permission of the instructor.

This course will provide an overview and critical analysis of corporate crime and its regulation in Canada. The course will examine: the problems of definition of corporate crime; the images, measurement and victims of such crime; the types of corporate crime; theories and perspectives on the etiology of corporate criminality and corporate crime; the origins of the laws against corporate crime and contemporary legislative lawmaking in this field; the effectiveness of policing and regulation of corporate crime; and various reforms proposed to deal with such crimes in the future. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023

This course provides a collaborative work forum for students accepted into the Honours program. The course is comprised of a number of thesis related assignments that will guide students through the process of researching and writing their Honours thesis, including a peer presentation on their Honours research topic. This course will also allow students to explore some of the central themes and concepts in the discipline of criminology. Prerequisite: Formal acceptance into the Honours program.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the discipline of criminology: its origins, the nature of disciplinary debates, and a sampling of theoretical and methodological issues. It involves an examination of crime patterns, causes of criminal behaviour and crime prevention strategies. This course also introduces the student to core topics covered in electives in the second year: courts, young offenders, police, corrections, and victimology. This introductory course is a prerequisite for all upper-level courses.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the discipline of criminology: its origins, the nature of disciplinary debates, and a sampling of theoretical and methodological issues. It involves an examination of crime patterns, causes of criminal behaviour and crime prevention strategies. This course also introduces the student to core topics covered in electives in the second year: courts, young offenders, police, corrections, and victimology. This introductory course is a prerequisite for all upper-level courses.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the role criminology plays in both formulating and critiquing criminal justice policy and a sampling of theoretical and methodological issues. It involves a critical look at the nature of the criminal justice system, the role of the state and the creation of policies through the passing of bills, legislation, and statutes pertinent to the interpretation of the Criminal Code. This course also introduces the student to core topics covered in electives in the second year: courts, young offenders, police, corrections, and victimology. This introductory course is a prerequisite for all upperlevel courses.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the role criminology plays in both formulating and critiquing criminal justice policy and a sampling of theoretical and methodological issues. It involves a critical look at the nature of the criminal justice system, the role of the state and the creation of policies through the passing of bills, legislation, and statutes pertinent to the interpretation of the Criminal Code. This course also introduces the student to core topics covered in electives in the second year: courts, young offenders, police, corrections, and victimology. This introductory course is a prerequisite for all upperlevel courses.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the role criminology plays in both formulating and critiquing criminal justice policy and a sampling of theoretical and methodological issues. It involves a critical look at the nature of the criminal justice system, the role of the state and the creation of policies through the passing of bills, legislation, and statutes pertinent to the interpretation of the Criminal Code. This course also introduces the student to core topics covered in electives in the second year: courts, young offenders, police, corrections, and victimology. This introductory course is a prerequisite for all upperlevel courses.

This course is designed to introduce the student to the role criminology plays in both formulating and critiquing criminal justice policy and a sampling of theoretical and methodological issues. It involves a critical look at the nature of the criminal justice system, the role of the state and the creation of policies through the passing of bills, legislation, and statutes pertinent to the interpretation of the Criminal Code. This course also introduces the student to core topics covered in electives in the second year: courts, young offenders, police, corrections, and victimology. This introductory course is a prerequisite for all upperlevel courses.

This course provides an introduction to criminal law - what it is, how it came into being, and the various elements of offences and forms of defence within Canada's criminal law system. Possible topics include: sources of criminal law in Canada; duty to act; voluntariness; negligent homicide; causation; strict and absolute liability; attempts; and a variety of criminal defences, including mental disorder, mistake of fact, consent, provocation, and necessity. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course will provide a comprehensive review of the theories and history of corrections together with their implementation in Canada. Particular attention will be devoted to contemporary issues such as the trend from incarceration to community-based treatment, the diversion of young offenders, and electronic surveillance. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course examines how definitions of crime and the criminal have changed over time in Canada, and how the criminal justice system has dealt with crime and criminals. The course will also highlight the role that the State, criminal justice officials, and the media have played in defining crime and the criminal. From arson to zealots, the emphasis is on an examination of class, race, age, and gender as relations of power. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course will examine this specialized field of criminology which is related to the study of victims of crime and factors connected to the victim. A historical perspective on the study of victimology, theories related to the explanation of victimization, the modern evolution of victim rights, and the development of victim services will be examined. Specific victim groups, provincial and federal legislation related to victims, the United Nations Charter of Victims Rights will be addressed, as well as the delivery of services to victims involved in the criminal justice system. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course will introduce students to 20th century criminological theories such as the Chicago School, strain theory, differential association theory, labelling theory, and critical criminology. The student's knowledge of classical, positive, and critical criminology will be applied to issues of social control and crime reduction. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course seeks to deepen students' understanding of qualitative research methods, such as research ethics in qualitative research, qualitative research design, interviewing, focus group interviews, participant observation and qualitative content analysis. Prerequisites: CRIM 2103.

This course is designed to provide an overview and analysis of contemporary controversies and issues pertinent to the criminal justice system and Canadian crime policy. Specific emphasis will be given to an examination of the influence that changes in social policy and shifting public sentiments about crime control have on both the structure and operation of various components of the criminal justice system. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course is an advanced look at the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Particular attention will be devoted to the effects of the Charter on criminal law making and its enforcement with reference to specific examples such as abortion, obscenity, pornography, capital punishment, unreasonable search and seizure, and pre-trial and detention rights. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course investigates and theorizes issues relating to missing and murdered persons. Drawing from diverse fields including criminal justice, feminist/ criminology, sociology, forensic anthropology, critical victimology, and Indigenous studies, the course evaluates established and emerging policies and practices regarding documentation, investigation, prosecution, prevention, and commemoration of missing persons cases. The course critically analyzes colonialism, gender and violence as factors that place particular communities at risk.

The goal of this course is the completion of an Honours thesis proposal to be included as part of the Honours application. Topics to be covered include: writing a research question, research methodology and measurement, selecting and using an adequate theory, and writing and submitting a proposal. Completion of this course does not ensure admission into the Honours program. Students are expected to have completed (or be enrolled) in the prerequisite courses for the Honours program prior to taking the Pre-Honours Workshop. Entrance to the course is by permission of the instructor.

This course will explore three approaches to crime prevention - primary, secondary and tertiary, that reduce the likelihood of crime and/or fear of crime in society. Using both academic and policy documents to explore ways in which agents of the criminal justice system and the community embark on strategies to reduce crime, students will evaluate the effectiveness of such strategies as crime prevention through environmental design, crime mapping, target hardening, deterrence, crime prevention through social development and public education. Topics may include: identity theft, cyberbullying, bioviolence. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This course provides a survey of issues related to terrorism and global conflict wherein students will be able to discuss social, political, economic and cultural roots of terrorism. In particular, this course will develop an appreciation of the complex motivations producing terrorism, as well as the unusual character and significant trade-offs that are induced by governments to minimize the impact of terrorism. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and 1023.

This interdisciplinary course focuses on the implementation of articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, specifically provision rights (e.g., health care, education), protection rights (e.g., from abuse, neglect, exploitation), and participation rights (e.g., in families, schools) with a particular emphasis on the implementation of these articles in Canada. Prerequisites: CRIM 1013 and CRIM 1023

This issue-based course investigates various crises affecting crime and justice in late modern capitalism, including climate change and the anthropocene, racism and environmental pollution, terrorism and the surveillance state, globalization and mass migration, the greed of the plutocratic and the growth of the precariat. These, and other concerns, are fostering global crisis and discontent with profound implications for both the practice and the study of deviance, crime and criminal justice. Pre-requisites: CRIM 1013, 1023, 2253, 3013.

This course is designed to provide students with an advanced look at applied social science research methods and statistics in criminology and criminal justice using SPSS. The course aims to help students develop practical skills in the design and execution of criminal justice research and to strengthen essential statistical understanding and data analysis skills. Prerequisite: A minimum of 75 credit hours, which includes CRIM 1013 and 1023, CRIM 2113, or permission of the instructor.

This course will encourage students to critically evaluate social and legal positions and theories about hate crime, including research on victimization and offences. Possible topics include how hate crime is conceptualized, the organization and impact of hate movements, victim resistance, and social activism. Prerequisite: A minimum of 75 credit hours, which includes CRIM 1013 and 1023, or permission of the instructor.

This seminar course will examine classical and contemporary ethnographic work in criminology and criminal justice. It will address qualitative research in general and how ethnographic research challenges common perceptions of crime, criminals and criminal behaviour. Prerequisite: A minimum of 75 credit hours, which includes CRIM 1013 and 1023, or permission of the instructor.