Criminology
Victim Services Certificate Summer Institute
The Victim Services Certificate is comprised of four courses: CRIM 175: Victimology; CRIM 176: Victim Services; CRIM 177: Legal Policy and Victim Services; and CRIM 140: Family Violence. The certificate provides a basic academic and skills-based foundation to work with crime victims through non-profit and government-based victim services organizations and allied professions.
Those who earn the certificate will learn about victimological theory, the victim-offender relationship, prevalence and trends of victimization, victims’ response to crime, and victimization across the lifespan. Students who take these courses will learn the basic skills to work with victims in the midst of a crisis and to provide both short- and long-term interventions. They will gain an understanding of the myriad of services that are available to victims, as well as the need for appropriate referrals for those who survive and display an array of traumas. Students will gain an in-depth understanding of the U.S. justice system, the role of a victim advocate, and the financial remedies available to victims such as compensation and restitution. Special attention is paid to the role of the victim in each aspect of the criminal justice system. Finally, students will learn about local, state, national, and international policies that address victimization and how these impact victims’ rights. The Victim Services certificate will provide students and practitioners alike with an in-depth foundation to understanding and working with crime victims.
All course work, readings and exams will be delivered via the Internet using Blackboard.
Victim Services
This course surveys community services for victims. It will focus on victim services as a new subsystem. Theoretical, social, and legal issues that affect delivery of victim services will be addressed.
- Dates: Online, May 23 – July 1
- Class No. 50339
- Units: Three
- Course: CRIM 176
- Grading Option: Letter Grade
- Fee: $475
- Instructor: Toni DuPont-Morales, Ph.D.
Victimology
This introductory course will provide you with a basic overview of the theories, concepts and practices of victimology. It will cover such topics as: history and theory of victimology; measurement of victimization; vulnerability; culpability; victim blaming; types of victims; victim rights; victim services; the victim’s role in the criminal justice system; victim compensation and restitution; and mediation and restorative justice.
- Dates: Online, May 23 – July 1
- Class No. 50341
- Units: Three
- Course: CRIM 175
- Grading Option: Letter Grade
- Fee: $475
- Instructor: John Dussich, Ph.D.
Family Violence
This course examines the typology and history of family abuse including: legal guidelines, treatment, approaches; emotional abuse, sexual abuse, spousal abuse, elder abuse, and child abuse as a criminogenic factor. The objective of this course is to provide students with the tools to address an array of issues pertaining to family violence and the laws, policies, and programs that are in place to address this issue.
- Dates: Online, July 5– August 14
- Class No. 50335
- Units: Three
- Course: CRIM 140
- Grading Option: Letter Grade
- Fee: $475
- Instructor: Bernadette Muscat, Ph.D.
Legal Policy in Victim Services
This course examines specific issues relating to rights of victims of crime, with special emphasis on the development and growth of victim’s rights in the legal system. This course requires students to use critical thinking skills in the analysis of legislation and specific legal policies regarding victim services. The objective of this course is to provide students with the tools to address an array of issues pertaining to victim rights, the process of changing attitudes, and current victim services, laws, policies, and programs.
- Dates: Online, July 5 – August 14
- Class No. 50337
- Units: Three
- Course: CRIM 177
- Grading Option: Letter Grade
- Fee: $475
- Instructor: Arthur Wint, J.D.