Truman State University JUS410: Advanced Topics: Victimology Spring 2007 Instructor: Lynn Van Dolah Office number: Justice Systems, Barnett Hall 2206 Office hours: 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. Tuesday/Thursday Contact information: 785-4667 *The best way to contact me outside class or office hours is through email. Email address: [email protected] Catalog Description: JUS410: Advanced Topics: Victimology This course will provide the student with an historical view of victimology and the victimization process within the American culture. It will also review the role of victimology in today’s criminal justice, social, and political systems while examining both the consequences of victimization and the various solutions to such problems. Examples of topics include sexual assault, child abuse/neglect, homicide, domestic violence, stalking and elder abuse. Text(s): Doerner, William. & Lab, Steven P. Victimology. 4th edition. LexisNexis, 2005. 1-59345-969-6 Morris, Debbie. Forgiving the Dead Man Walking. Zondervan Publishing, 1995. 0-310-22265-6 Other Required Materials: Stapler for papers, academic calendar to keep track of due dates and tests, #2 lead pencils and Blue Book for tests, and access to BlackBoard and Internet. Purpose of Course: This course is designed to provide the student with an introduction to the scientific study of victims and the victimization process. Attention will be focused on the victim and perpetrator relationship as well as the interaction between the victim, the criminal justice system and/or other societal groups and institutions.Course Objectives: Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: - Develop a working knowledge of victimology; - Gain insight into the various areas of victimization; and - Identify various policies, programs, etc. addressing victims’ needs as well as a preliminary evaluation of said policies, programs, etc. Course Content: I. Victimology as a discipline II. The plight of the victim in today’s society. III. Remedying the plight of the victim in today’s society IV. Specific areas of victimization including but not limited to, child abuse, domestic assault, sexual assault, and homicide. V. Victim Rights and Advocacy Assessment of Student Learning: Student progress will be assessed by a variety of methods including, but not limited to, written assignments, quizzes, exams, and other related coursework. The following grading scale will be used: A = 90 - 100 B = 80 - 89 C = 70 - 79 D = 60 - 69 F = 59 and below Unannounced quizzes may be administered at the Instructor’s discretion throughout the semester and cannot be taken at a later date. A comprehensive final will be given and is scheduled for May 6, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. Please note it is the Instructor’s policy to drop the lowest exam grade (100 points) at the end of the semester. You may not drop the grade of an exam that has not been taken and recorded as zero. In other words, you must have taken all exams for this policy to be in effect. Description of Major Assignment(s)/Project(s): Students will be actively involved in developing and implementing a creative and informative project designed to increase community awareness of issues faced by crime victims during the National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 13 – 19, 2008). Details of project requirements will be provided during the next class period.Instructor Policies: Attendance: Students are expected to attend class on a regular basis. Tardiness: Students are expected to be in class at the designated starting time and not leave until the class has ended. Make-up and late work: Late work will NOT be accepted. Assignments can be emailed to the Instructor on or before the due date if the student is not able to be in class on the day the assignment is to be turned in. Extra-credit work: Students have the opportunity to obtain extra credit to benefit his/her grade. Each activity is worth five points (maximum) unless otherwise indicated. A student may earn a maximum of ten extra credit points. An example of an extra credit activity might include attending a related lecture on campus, participating in a field trip or reading an article or book and providing a TYPED summarization of the information gained as well as your reaction to the particular activity. ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE PREAPPROVED BY THE INSTRUCTOR TO ENSURE APPROPRIATENESS FOR EXTRA CREDIT. EXTRA CREDIT PROJECTS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN April 22, 2008. Professional concerns: As a courtesy to fellow students, please turn off cellular phones, pagers, etc. when entering the classroom unless you have received prior approval from the Instructor. Tape recording lectures is not allowed due to the content of the class. Also, the use of obscene language and other forms of profanity are not acceptable within this classroom setting. Americans with Disabilities Act: Students with documentable disabilities should register proper documentation with the proper University personnel, which will, in turn, notify appropriate instructors of the suggested official Accommodations. Students may also wish to personally inform their instructors of their particular disabilities. Additional Information for Students: Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) http://fedinfo.truman.edu/ferpa.asp Student Conduct Code (special attention directed toward Proscribed Conduct 8.050)