Board/Authority Authorised Course Framework Template

Transcription

1 Board/Authority Authorised Course Framework Template School District/Independent School Authority Name Rocky Mountain School District/Independent School Authority Number 06 Developed by RMDL Ed Main / edynamic Learning Date Developed June 4, 2014 School Name Principal s Name Rocky Mountain Distributed Learning Ed Main Superintendent Approval Date (for School Districts only) Superintendent Signature (for School Districts only) Board/Authority Approval Date Board/Authority Chair Signature Course Name Criminology: Inside the Criminal Mind Grade Level of Course 12 Number of Course Credits 4 Number of Hours of Instruction 120 Prerequisite(s) Special Training, Facilities or Equipment Required None Computer with Internet access Course Synopsis In today s world, crime and deviant behavior are often one of the top concerns of society members. From the nightly news to personal experiences with victimization, crime seems to be all 1 P a g e B o a r d / A u t h o r i t y A u t h o r i s e d

2 around us. In this course, we will explore the field of criminology or the study of crime. In doing so, we will look at possible explanations for crime from psychological, biological, and sociological standpoints, explore the various types of crime and their consequences for society, and investigate how crime and criminals are handled by the criminal justice system. Why do some individuals commit crimes but others don t? What aspects in our culture and society promote crime and deviance? Why do individuals receive different punishments for the same crime? What factors shape the criminal case process, from arrest to punishments? Rationale Organizational Structure: Unit/Topic Title Time Unit 1 The World of Criminology 15 Unit 2 Biological and Psychological Theories of Crime 15 Unit 3 Labeling, Conflict, Environmental, and Radical Theories 15 Unit 4 Violent Crimes and Crimes against Property 15 Unit 5 White-Collar, Corporate and Public Order Crimes 15 Unit 6 Criminal Case Process 15 Unit 7 Enforcing the Law and the Nature of Courts 15 Unit 8 Overview of Punishment and Corrections 15 Total Hours P a g e B o a r d / A u t h o r i t y A u t h o r i s e d

3 Unit/Topic/Module Descriptions (A short description and the curriculum organizers and learning outcomes of each unit/topic/module.) Unit 1: The World of Criminology Learn what crime is and how it is related to deviance. Discuss what criminology is and how it relates to other disciplines. Investigate legitimate reasons why a crime might be excused. Examine crime statistic sources and the issues with each. Look at some of the research methods that criminologists use to study crime. The World of Criminology: Unit Unit 2: Biological and Psychological Theories of Crime Learn about early biological explanations of crime such as phrenology. Discuss chemical and hormonal theories of crime. Look at psychoanalytic theories of crime. Examine modeling and self-control theories. Investigate the legal definitions of insanity and how psychological profiling is used to solve crimes. Unit 3: Labeling, Conflict, Environmental, and Radical Theories Learn what social structure and social conditions are and how they relate to crime. Examine how social transition and rapid change can result in crime. Discuss how individuals may adapt to cultural goals in a way that leads to crime. Investigate how physical conditions affect crimes. Discuss the roles that inequality and power have in crime. 3 P a g e B o a r d / A u t h o r i t y A u t h o r i s e d

4 Unit 4: Violent Crimes and Crimes against Property Learn about crimes against persons and crimes against property. Understand the different legal categories of homicide. Examine the different categories of thieves. Investigate the cost of crimes like larceny. Discuss the social conditions that factor into crimes such as burglary. Unit 5: White-Collar, Corporate and Public Order Crimes Identify the differences between occupational and corporate crimes. Discuss the costs of white-collar and corporate crimes to society. Examine different types of corporate crimes. Discuss possible solutions for controlling organized crime. Investigate the controversies over public order crimes and their enforcement. Unit 6: Criminal Case Process Learn about the criminal justice system and what is included in the system. Discuss how the criminal justice system had its beginnings. Examine the goals of the criminal justice system. Investigate the various stages of the criminal case process. Look at how the juvenile criminal case process differs from the adult criminal case process. Unit 7: Enforcing the Law and the Nature of Courts Learn about the conflicting models toward crime and criminals in the criminal justice system. Discuss the factors that influence law enforcement decisions. Understand the U.S. court system, including state and federal courts. Examine what occurs in a typical criminal trial. Investigate the reasons for and against the death penalty and what research has shown about the death penalty. 4 P a g e B o a r d / A u t h o r i t y A u t h o r i s e d

5 Unit 8: Overview of Punishment and Corrections Understand the different facilities used to hold and incarcerate offenders. Learn about the history of the correctional system. Examine the cost of correctional institutions to society. Discuss probation and why it is used. Examine alternative sanctions, such as house arrest and community service. Skills and Processes throughout the Course It is expected that students will: apply critical thinking including questioning, comparing, summarizing, drawing conclusions, and defending a position to make reasoned judgments about a range of issues, situations, and topics give examples of critical-thinking processes (e.g., questioning, hypothesizing, inferring, predicting, summarizing, verifying, identifying relationships and patterns, using analogies, comparing, classifying, drawing conclusions, defending a position, reassessing a position) recognize connections between events and their causes, consequences, and implications (e.g., relate current events to historical contexts) compare a range of points of view on an issue draw conclusions about an issue, situation, or topic demonstrate effective research skills, including; o accessing information o assessing information o collecting data o evaluating data o organizing information o presenting information o citing sources gain clarity with regards to the importance of accessing and considering a range of information sources assess the accuracy, reliability, and relevance of collected information by determining examples of bias and points of view in information Instructional Component Independent work in an online course format Students provided with the opportunity to work self-paced or with pacing provided by the teacher Various online (primary and secondary sources) resources Opportunity for group work and interaction via moderated online threaded discussion forums in each of the course units. 5 P a g e B o a r d / A u t h o r i t y A u t h o r i s e d

6 Assessment Component Students will be assessed through a variety of methods to promote knowledge-building and critical thinking skills, including: o Submitted assignments o Unit quizzes o Mid-Course and Final Exams o Participation in online threaded discussion forums o Reflective discussion assignments Learning Resource The course will be a fully online offering featuring both audio and video components to augment course content. Additional Information This unique and rigorous course will allow students an opportunity to broaden their understanding and appreciation of the consequences of crime on our society. The course will provide a significantly enhanced outlook of Unit 6 (Criminal Law) that is currently found in our online Law 12 course. 6 P a g e B o a r d / A u t h o r i t y A u t h o r i s e d