City University of Hong Kong Information on a Gateway Education Course offered by Department of Applied Social Sciences with effect from Summer Semester in 2011 / 2012

Part I Course Title:

Violence and Crime

Course Code:

GE2221

Course Duration:

One Semester

Proposed Area: (Please insert “1” for the single primary area, and ‘2” for the secondary area if applicable. Students will only earn credit units from the primary area.)



Arts and Humanities

☑

Study of Societies, Social and Business Organisations



Science and Technology

No. of Credit Units:

3

Level:

B2

Medium of Instruction:

English

Medium of Assessment:

English

Prerequisites: (Course Code and Title) Nil Precursors: (Course Code and Title) Nil Equivalent Courses: (Course Code and Title) generally none Exclusive Courses: (Course Code and Title) Nil

Part II 1.

Abstract Students will learn various theories of crime and be guided to examine a spectrum of violence. They will acquire the skills of critical analysis of real life cases or events as well as media violence through video watching, class discussions and exercises, and project work to discover the nature, causes and impact of violent crimes and issues on criminal justice. In this discovery journey, students will face a challenging task of coming up with solutions or proposing recommendations that can prevent or reduce violent crimes.

2.

Course Aims This course aims to provide a general understanding of violence and how violent behaviour influences our daily life. This course will provide an in-depth analysis into the various dimensions that include, but not limited to, criminology, psychological, and sociological perspectives of violence. The influence of media on violence; and how legislations and laws address issues related to violent behaviour will also be explored. This course will further introduce students into the different types of violence: gang and school violence, domestic violence, workplace and institutional violence, sexual violence, and homicidal violence. The course concludes with the discussion on issues related to violent management and criminal investigation, violent offender correctional management and rehabilitation, and violent crime prevention. Through group discussion sessions, interactive exercises, and documentaries watching, students are educated to be aware of the multi-facet of violent behaviour and to self-reflect on impact to the society, with ultimate aims to make a society less violent.

3.

Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs)

4.

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to: No. CILOs Weighting applicable) 1. Discover the types, changing conceptions and causes of violent behaviour and contrast with non-violent criminal behaviour. 2. Examine the scope of criminological studies and its application in the areas of violence, violent control and police practices in violent crime prevention. 3. Produce strategies and tactics in controlling violent behaviours in daily life and contrast with non-violent behaviours. 4. Critically evaluate the philosophies and tactics adopted by public and private security agencies in dealing with violent criminal acts. 5. Apply the principles and strategies of violent control in different local and international contexts. Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs)

(if

(designed to facilitate students’ achievement of the CILOs - Some TLAs may address more than one CILO.)

TLA

CILO No.

Hours/week (if applicable)

Lectures CILO 1 – 5 With the help of PowerPoint and lecture notes, students can acquire basic concepts and knowledge on the academic subject. Video Watching, Worksheets and Interactive CILO 2 – 5 Exercises Students are required to make reflections after watching videos, and engage in interactive exercises with the help of worksheets. Case Analysis & Group Report CILO 1-5 4-6 students will form a small group and conduct case analysis on a crime event related to the subject matter. Students are required to describe the process of criminal behaviour and possible causes of crime, and to brain-storm for solutions. Test CILO 1 & 2 End of semester test to assess the student’s understanding on the course content.

2 hours / week

1 hour / week

5.

Assessment Tasks/Activities (designed to assess how well the students achieve the CILOs –Some assessment tasks/activities may address more than one CILO.)

Type of CILO No. Assessment Tasks/Activities CILO 2 – 5

Video Watching, Worksheets and Interactive Exercises

Weighting (if applicable ) 30%

Videos produced by relevant governmental, academic, and private institutions will be used. Worksheets will be designed to capture student’s reflections and critical analysis after watching the videos or being involved in interactive exercises. A total of 30% of the overall class grade will be assigned to this type of activities. CILO 1 – 5

CILO 1 & 2

Case Analysis & Group Report Each group of students is required to submit a case analysis report of not more than 3,000 words. They are required to describe the process of criminal behaviour, possible causes of crime and solutions to the problem. Test A test comprising mainly multiple-choice and possibly some short-answer questions will be conducted near the end of semester .

30%

40%

Remar ks

6.

Grading of Student Achievement: Refer to Grading of Courses in the Academic Regulations. Grading pattern: Standard (A+, A, A- … F) Grading is assigned based on student’s performance in assessment tasks/activities, performance standards based on which students’ work are described as follows: Video Watching, Worksheets, and Interactive Exercises (30%) Letter Grade (Grade Point) Grade Definition A+ (4.3), A (4.0), A- (3.7)

Excellent: Strong evidence of original thinking; good organisation, capacity to analyse and synthesise; superior grasp of subject matter; evidence of extensive knowledge base.

B+ (3.3), B (3.0), B- (2.7)

Good: Evidence of grasp of subject, some evidence of critical capacity and analytic ability; reasonable understanding of issues; evidence of familiarity with literature.

C+ (2.3), C (2.0), C- (1.7)

Adequate: Student who is profiting from the university experience; understanding of the subject; ability to develop solutions to simple problems in the material.

D (1.0)

Marginal: Sufficient familiarity with the subject matter to enable the student to progress without repeating the course.

F (0.0)

Failure: Little evidence of familiarity with the subject matter; weakness in critical and analytic skills; limited or irrelevant use of literature.

Case Analysis & Report (30%) Letter Grade (Grade Point) Grade Definition A+ (4.3), A (4.0), A- (3.7)

Excellent: Strong evidence of original thinking; good organisation, capacity to analyse and synthesise; superior grasp of subject matter; evidence of extensive knowledge base.

B+ (3.3), B (3.0), B- (2.7)

Good: Evidence of grasp of subject, some evidence of critical capacity and analytic ability; reasonable understanding of issues; evidence of familiarity with literature.

C+ (2.3), C (2.0), C- (1.7)

Adequate: Student who is profiting from the university experience; understanding of the subject; ability to develop solutions to simple problems in the material.

D (1.0)

Marginal: Sufficient familiarity with the subject matter to enable the student to progress without repeating the course.

F (0.0)

Failure: Little evidence of familiarity with the subject matter; weakness in critical and analytic skills; limited or irrelevant use of literature.

Letter Grade (Grade Point)

Test (40%) Grade Definition

A+ (4.3), A (4.0), A- (3.7)

Excellent: Strong evidence of original thinking; good organisation, capacity to analyse and synthesise; superior grasp of subject matter; evidence of extensive knowledge base.

B+ (3.3), B (3.0), B- (2.7)

Good: Evidence of grasp of subject, some evidence of critical capacity and analytic ability; reasonable understanding of issues; evidence of familiarity with literature.

C+ (2.3), C (2.0), C- (1.7)

Adequate: Student who is profiting from the university experience; understanding of the subject; ability to develop solutions to simple problems in the material.

D (1.0)

Marginal: Sufficient familiarity with the subject matter to enable the student to progress without repeating the course.

F (0.0)

Failure: Little evidence of familiarity with the subject matter; weakness in critical and analytic skills; limited or irrelevant use of literature.

Part III Keyword Syllabus: The nature and scope of violence. Psychological and sociological causes of violent behaviour. Studies of violence: Violence, media, and the law; homicide, school violence, domestic violence, workplace violence, and sexual violence. Preventing and managing violence. The role of law enforcement agencies and the public. Course content: 1. Understanding violence Questions to be answered: (i) What is violence? (ii) What is a violent act and what is not a violent act? (iii) What are the reasons underlying the fact that men commit more violent crimes than women? Topics to be covered: (i) The nature and scope of violence (ii) Influences of violence on the societal level (iii) Differential on socio-demographical influences of violence (e.g., gender, age, class, etc.) 2. Psychological perspectives on violence Questions to be answered: (i) Why do people commit violent acts? (ii) Is violent crime arising from personality or interpersonal conflicts? Topics to be covered: (i) Psycho-developmental issues and violence (ii) Violent behavioural misconduct (iii) Personality disorders and violence (iv) Psychological issues related to the display of violent behaviour 3. Criminological explanations of violence Questions to be answered: (i) How do theories in Criminology inform us about causes of violent and non-violent crimes and solutions for combating different types of crimes? Topics to be covered: (i) Theoretical models of violent behaviour (e.g., social learning theory, general strain theory, self-control theory, life-course criminology, etc.)

4. Violence, media, and the law Questions to be answered: (i) Is violent behaviour learnt from media? (ii) Media influence, disadvantaged family, school failure or peer influence: Which comes first? (iii) What are the current legislations and laws in Hong Kong that are related to violent acts? (iv) How well are we being protected by the laws if we happen to fall victims to violent acts? Topics to be covered: (i) Media and reality (ii) Media as a cause of violence (iii) Issues in media violence (iv) Substantive areas of law related to violence (e.g., domestic violence, family law, juvenile delinquency, etc.) (v) Hong Kong legislations and laws dealing with different kinds of violent crime 5. Special Topic: Gang and school violence Questions to be answered: (i) Have you ever been bullied in schools? (ii) What are the characteristics of school violence? (iii) What are the common ways of preventing school violence or bullying? (iv) Which disciplinary practice is better: harsh punishment, positive discipline, or restorative practices? (v) Have you ever been assaulted in streets? (vi) What are the reasons behind street crimes? (vii) Why do young people become involved in triad societies? Topics to be covered: (i) Understanding youth problems (ii) Developmental pathways to youth violence (iii) School bullying behaviour (iv) Violent juvenile offenders (v) Juvenile involvement in triad societies (vi) Nature and characteristics of gang violence (vii) Causes of gang violence and ways of combating it

6. Special Topic: Domestic violence Questions to be answered: (i) What is domestic violence? (ii) Who are the domestic violence victims? (iii) Why are family or domestic violence? (iv) Any socio-political reasons behind the issues of family or domestic violence? (v) What are the possible ways for preventing and stopping family or domestic violence? Topics to be covered: (i) Types of domestic violence (e.g., intimate partner violence, family violence, etc.) (ii) Types of the domestic abuse nature (e.g., physical, sexual, emotional, etc.) (iii) Types of domestic abuse victim (e.g., spouse abuse, child abuse, elder abuse, etc.) (iv) Intervention and preventive strategies in domestic violence 7. Special Topic: Workplace and institutional violence Questions to be answered: (i) What is workplace violence? (ii) Is workplace violent sexual harassment an illegal act? (iii) What are the early warning signs? (iv) How can the workplace violence being managed and prevented? Topics to be covered: (i) Nature and causes of workplace violence (ii) Early warning signs (iii) Common characteristics of workplace violence offender (iv) Intervention and management strategies 8. Special Topic: Sexual violence Questions to be answered: (i) Does indecent assault or rape normally occur in unfamiliar settings? (ii) What are sexual offences and stalking behaviour? (iii) How do sex offenders hunt for their victims? Topics to be covered: (i) Types of sexual violence (ii) Origins of sex offending (iii) Stalking behaviour (iv) Sex offender’s offending process

9. Special Topic: Homicidal violence Questions to be answered: (i) What are serial, mass, spree, and sexual murders? (ii) What are the differences between serial, mass, spree, and sexual murders? (iii) Is what portrayed by the media regarding serial, mass, spree, and sexual murders the same in reality? (iv) Are there any other types of homicide? (v) What are the common offender characteristics for each type of homicide? Are there any differences or they all behave the same? Topics to be covered: (i) Serial, mass, and spree murders (ii) Sexual homicide (iii) Other types of homicide (e.g., parricide, infanticide, etc.) (iv) Offender behaviour of different types of homicide 10. Issues in violent management and criminal investigation Questions to be answered: (i) What are the early warning signs for violent acts? (ii) How can these early warning signs be managed and prevented? (iii) Are investigative interviewing and interrogation the same? What is the common method used by the police in getting information from the suspects and witnesses? (iv) Are all types of confession can be trusted? (v) What are the common criminal investigative strategies used by the law enforcement? Are they the same as portrayed by the media? Topics to be covered: (i) Violent risk assessment (ii) Threat management (iii) Investigative interviewing versus interrogation (iv) Types of confession (v) Violent criminal investigative strategies (e.g., criminal profiling, geographic information system analysis, etc.) 11. Issues in violent offender correctional management and rehabilitation Questions to be answered: (i) Are prisons cost-effective in reducing crimes? (ii) What are the effective design and programs in modern prisons? (iii) Is it really needs to adopt “an eye for an eye” approach in punishing the offenders? Topics to be covered: (i) Intervention and treatment strategies (ii) Restorative justice versus retributive justice (iii) Types of violent correctional management

12. Issues in violent crime prevention Questions to be answered: (i) How do we protect ourselves from property loss or personal dangers? (ii) Is there any other effective method in protecting ourselves from being victims of crimes? (iii) What are the policing methods used by the police in protecting us? (iv) Are informal social control strategies more effective than formal social control strategies? Topics to be covered: (i) Community policing and other formal social control strategies (ii) Personal defensible space (iii) Crime prevention through environmental design

Lecture Schedule Lecture Session 01

Topic Understanding Violence  The nature and scope of violence  Influences of violence on the societal level  Differential on socio-demographical influences of violence (e.g., gender, age, class, etc.) Reading Assignment: Englander, E. K. (2006). Understanding violence (3rd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Chapter 2 (p. 13-35). Supplemental Reading: Meadows, R. J. (2009). Understanding violence and victimization (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Chapter 1 (p. 1-12).

Session 02

Psychological Perspectives on Violence  Psycho-developmental issues and violence  Violent behavioural misconduct  Personality disorders and violence  Psychological issues related to the display of violent behaviour Reading Assignment: Schmalleger, F. (2008). Criminology today: An integrative introduction (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Chapter 6 (Psychological and Psychiatric Foundations of Criminal Behavior). Supplemental Reading: Conklin, J. E. (2009). Criminology (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Chapter 5 (p. 145-183). Ellis, L & Walsh, A. (2000). Criminology: A global perspective. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Chapter 8 (p. 216-265).

Session 03

Session 04

Criminological Explanations of Violence  Theoretical models of violent behaviour (e.g., social learning theory, general strain theory, self-control theory, life-course criminology, etc.) Reading Assignment: Ellis, L & Walsh, A. (2000). Criminology: A global perspective. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Chapter 11 (p. 339-366). Supplemental Reading: Schmalleger, F. (2008). Criminology today: An integrative introduction (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Chapter 7, 8, and 9. Violence, Media, and the Law  Media and reality  Media as a cause of violence  Issues in media violence  Substantive areas of law related to violence (e.g., domestic violence, family law, juvenile delinquency, etc.)  Hong Kong legislations and laws dealing with different kinds of violent crime Reading Assignment: Chui, W. H., & Lo, T. W. (2008). Understanding criminal justice in Hong Kong. Portland, OR: Willan Publishing. Chapter 2 (p. 14-44). Carrabine, E., Lee, M., South, N., Cox, P., & Plummer K. (2009). Criminology: A sociological introduction (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge. Chapter 18 (p. 331-348). Supplemental Reading: Jones, C., & Vagg, J. (2007). Criminal Justice in Hong Kong. New York: Routledge-Cavendish.

Session 05

Special Topic: Gang and School Violence  Understanding youth problems  Developmental pathways to youth violence  School bullying behaviour  Violent juvenile offenders  Juvenile involvement in triad societies  Nature and characteristics of gang violence  Causes of gang violence and ways of combating it Reading Assignment: Meadows, R. J. (2009). Understanding violence and victimization (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Chapter 5 (p. 153-176). Supplemental Reading: Gerler, E. R. Jr. (2004). Handbook of school violence. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press. Quiz 1: Session 01 – 04

Session 06

Special Topic: Domestic Violence  Types of domestic violence (e.g., intimate partner violence, family violence, etc.)  Types of the domestic abuse nature (e.g., physical, sexual, emotional, etc.)  Types of domestic abuse victim (e.g., spouse abuse, child abuse, elder abuse, etc.)  Intervention and preventive strategies in domestic violence Reading Assignment: Roberts, A. R., & Fields, M. D. (2002). Handbook of domestic violence intervention strategies: Policies, programs, and legal remedies. New York: Oxford University Press. Chapter 2 (p. 23-48). Due date (tentative): Case Analysis Assignment

Session 07

Special Topic: Workplace and Institutional Violence  Nature and causes of workplace violence  Early warning signs  Common characteristics of workplace violence offender  Intervention and management strategies Reading Assignment: Meadows, R. J. (2009). Understanding violence and victimization (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Chapter 4 (p. 116-152). Supplemental Reading: Paludi, M. A., Nydegger, R. V., & Paludi, C. A. (2006). Understanding Workplace violence: A guide for managers and employees. Westport, CA: Praeger Publishers.

Session 08

Special Topic: Sexual Violence  Types of sexual violence  Origins of sex offending  Stalking behaviour  Sex offender’s offending process Reading Assignment: Ellis, L & Walsh, A. (2000). Criminology: A global perspective. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Chapter 18 (p. 540-559). Supplemental Reading: Terry, K. J. (2005). Sexual offenses and offenders: Theory, practice, and policy. Florence, KY: Wadsworth Publishing.

Session 09

Special Topic: Homicidal Violence  Serial, mass, and spree murders  Sexual homicide  Other types of homicide (e.g., parricide, infanticide, etc.)  Offender behaviour of different types of homicide Reading Assignment: Ellis, L & Walsh, A. (2000). Criminology: A global perspective. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Chapter 16 (p. 487-509). Supplemental Reading: Smith, M. D., & Zahn, M. A. (1999). Homicide: A sourcebook of social research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Session 10

Issues in Violent Management and Criminal Investigation  Violent risk assessment  Threat management  Investigative interviewing versus interrogation  Types of confession  Violent criminal investigative strategies (e.g., criminal profiling, geographic information system analysis, etc.) Reading Assignment: Turner, J. T., McCann, J. T., & Gelles, M. (2003). Threat assessment: A risk management approach. Binghamton, NY: Haworth Press. Chapter 6 (p. 61-82). Supplemental Reading: Ferguson, C. J. (2010). Violent crime: Clinical and social implications. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Quiz 2: Session 05 – 09

Session 11

Issues in Violent Offender Correctional Management and Rehabilitation  Intervention and treatment strategies  Restorative justice versus retributive justice  Types of violent correctional management Reading Assignment: Ferguson, C. J. (2010). Violent crime: Clinical and social implications. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Chapter 16 (p. 351-377).

Session 12

Issues in Violent Crime Prevention  Community policing and other formal social control strategies  Personal defensible space  Crime prevention through environmental design Reading Assignment: Chui, W. H., & Lo, T. W. (2008). Understanding criminal justice in Hong Kong. Portland, OR: Willan Publishing. Chapter 12 (p. 248-270).

Session 13

Quiz 3: Session 10 – 12 Due date (tentative): Final Term Paper

Recommended Reading: Text(s): Essential Reading Carrabine, E., Lee, M., South, N., Cox, P., & Plummer K. (2009). Criminology: A sociological introduction (2nd ed.). New York: Routledge. Chui, W. H., & Lo, T. W. (2008). Understanding criminal justice in Hong Kong. Portland, OR: Willan Publishing. Conklin, J. E. (2009). Criminology (10th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Ellis, L & Walsh, A. (2000). Criminology: A global perspective. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon. Englander, E. K. (2006). Understanding violence (3rd ed.). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Ferguson, C. J. (2010). Violent crime: Clinical and social implications. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Gerler, E. R. Jr. (2004). Handbook of school violence. Binghamton, NY: The Haworth Press. Glick, L., & Miller, J. M. (2007). Criminology (2nd ed.). New York: Pearson Education. Jones, C., & Vagg, J. (2007). Criminal Justice in Hong Kong. New York: Routledge-Cavendish. Meadows, R. J. (2009). Understanding violence and victimization (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Paludi, M. A., Nydegger, R. V., & Paludi, C. A. (2006). Understanding Workplace violence: A guide for managers and employees. Westport, CA: Praeger Publishers.

Roberts, A. R., & Fields, M. D. (2002). Handbook of domestic violence intervention strategies: Policies, programs, and legal remedies. New York: Oxford University Press. Schmalleger, F. (2008). Criminology today: An integrative introduction (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Siegel, L. J. (2003). Criminology (8th ed.). Florence, KY: Wadsworth Publishing. Smith, M. D., & Zahn, M. A. (1999). Homicide: A sourcebook of social research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Terry, K. J. (2005). Sexual offenses and offenders: Theory, practice, and policy. Florence, KY: Wadsworth Publishing.