Course Description
This course provides an overview of the role of the victim’s advocate and the victim’s participation in criminal justice decision making and various restorative justice initiatives. In examining this role, students will specifically analyze the impact of court policies and practices on victims with mental health or substance abuse disorders. Students will also be asked to consider the types and patterns of family and sexual violence to prevention and punishment practices and policies. While distinguishing between ethical and unethical behavior in the criminal justice field, students will be required to apply victims’ rights to criminal case scenarios and explain how victims can be assisted with dealing with the effects of crime and the criminal justice system. (3 credits)
Prerequisites
- CRJ 335: Victimology
- ENG 101: English Composition 1
- ENG 102: English Composition 2
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Compare and contrast the theories of violence and victimization with applied responses to victims.
- Analyze the concepts and principles of violence crimes against victims.
- Identify elements and determine victims’ of fear of crime.
- Analyze modern problems and trends in victims’ rights in the criminal justice system and various institutions.
- Evaluate how victim advocacy programs operate.
- Breakdown the functions, operations and management of victims’ rights in the criminal justice system.
- Compare and contrast the various programs available for crime victims.
- Explain proposed and current victims’ rights and services legislation/laws at both the state and federal levels.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussion (Weeks 1-8) | 20% |
Weekly Assignments (Weeks 1-7) | 25% |
Weekly Journal Reflections (Weeks 1-8) | 25% |
Research Paper (Week 8) | 30% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
(Available through Charter Oak State College's Book Bundle)
- Meadows, Robert J. Understanding Violence & Victimization. 7th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson, 2019. ISBN-13: 9780134868257
Additional Required Materials
- Netflix subscription for assignment involving the film 13th
Course Schedule
Week | SLOs | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
1 | 1,4,5 | Topics: Measuring and Understanding Violence
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2 | 1,4,9 | Topics: School Violence and Victimization
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3 | 6 | Topic: Victimization Theory
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4 | 2,3,6,8 | Topics: Responding to Criminal and Victims of Familar Violence
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5 | 2,8 | Topics: Non Familial Violence and Victimization and Human Trafficking and Victimization
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6 | 2 | Topics: Institutional and Workplace Violence
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7 | 5,7 | Topics: Criminal Justice and Injustice
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8 | 6,8 | Topics: Firearms and Victimization
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COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.