Overview
CRJS 495: Sex Crimes is a three credit, senior level course. Sexual crimes, more than any other type of crime, elicit reactions in the general public that includes fear, anguish, and anger. The image of a violent pedophile is rarely unaccompanied by commentary from community members. Such reactions, however, rarely reflect objective knowledge about these crimes.
In this course, we explore sex crimes ranging from non-contact offences such as voyeurism, to violent physical offences such as sexual homicide. Theories and typologies of sexual offending are also reviewed. CRJS495 will be of particular interest to students who wish to pursue a career in criminal justice or are simply interested in the study of abnormal behaviour in criminology. Professionals involved in the administration of justice, including the enforcement or evaluation/rehabilitation sectors, will also find this course interesting.
Learning outcomes
Upon the completion of this course you should be able to:
- Understand how consent for sexual activity is defined under Canadian law.
- Critically analyze theories of sexual offending, including theories of female and adolescent sexual offending.
- Understand the methods the characterized research that examines sexual offending.
- Understand the various types of sex crimes, including perpetrator and victim characteristics.
- Critically analyze the research literature pertaining the sexual offender recidivism.
Outline
CRJS 495 comprises 10 units:
Unit 1: Introduction: From Sexual Deviance to Consent
Unit 2: Theories of Sexual Offending
Unit 3: Sex Offender Typologies
Unit 4: Internet Facilitated Sex Crimes
Unit 5: Exhibitionism, Frotteurism, and Voyeurism
Unit 6: Rape
Unit 7: Sexual Homicide
Unit 8: Female Sex Offenders
Unit 9: Juvenile Sex Offenders
Unit 10: Recidivism
Evaluation
To receive credit for CRJS 495, you must complete all 10 quizzes and the two written assignments. You must achieve a course composite grade of at least a . The course assignments and their weighting are as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Quizzes (10 quizzes) | 7.5% each for a total of 75% |
| Term Paper Proposal | Pass/Fail (Note that while the proposal is not graded, it is essential for beginning and completing the Term Paper) |
| Term Paper | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
Materials
This course either does not have a course package or the textbooks are open-source material and available to students at no cost. This course has a Course Administration and Technology Fee, but students are not charged the Course Materials Fee.
All course materials will be available online.
Challenge for credit
Overview
The challenge for credit process allows you to demonstrate that you have acquired a command of the general subject matter, knowledge, intellectual and/or other skills that would normally be found in a university-level course.
Full information about challenge for credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.
Evaluation
To receive credit for CRJS 495, you must complete all evaluation components for the course (i.e., the 10 unit quizzes and the written assignment), and your overall grade must be D (50 percent) or better.
| Activity | Weight |
| 10 Unit Quizzes (7.5% each) | 75% |
| Written Assignment | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
Challenge for credit course registration form