An Associate of Arts Degree in Criminology is awarded to recognize the successful completion of the equivalent of two years of full-time study. It requires 60 credits as prescribed below, inclusive of 3 elective credits. An overall minimum GPA of 2.33 is required.
Upon completion of the Associate of Arts degree, students can then transfer directly into SFU’s Criminology program to complete the final two years of a Bachelor of Arts Degree.
The Criminology program is designed to assist students in gaining an in-depth understanding of the complexities of criminal and other deviant behavior and of society’s reaction to crime and deviance.
The program emphasizes the importance of meeting local needs and drawing on the strengths and resources within the community.
Admission Requirements
Grade 12 or equivalent including a C+ minimum in the following:
English 12 (or ENGL 060)
Principles of Math 11 (or Math 051)
Transfer
This program is currently articulated for transfer with SFU and UCFV. Refer to www.bctransferguide.ca * for additional information *note that some courses may still be listed as IIG transfers
Year 1
Students are required to successfully complete the 30 credits prescribed below:
CRIM 101 - Introduction to Criminology
CRIM 104 - Sociological Explainations Of Criminal And Deviant Behaviour
ENGL 110 - College Composition
ENGL 111 - Introduction to Modern Fiction
FNSC 106 - Exploring the Natural Sciences
FNST 101 - Introduction to First Nations Studies II
PHIL 100 - Introduction to Critical Thinking
POLI 111 - Canadian Government and Politics
PSYC 111 - Introduction to Psychology I
PSYC 121 - Introduction to Psychology II
Year 2
Upon successful completion of Year 1, students are required to complete the 27 credits prescribed below plus 3 elective credits.
ADMN 165 - Introduction To Computing Systems
CRIM 103 - Psychological Explanations Of Criminal And Devient Behavior
CRIM 131 - Introduction to Criminal Justice System
CRIM 135 - Introduction to Canadian Law
CRIM 220 - Introduction to Research Methods
CRIM 230 - Criminal Law in Canada
CRIM 231 - Introduction to the Judicial Process
SOCI 200 - The Nature of Racism
STAT 203 - Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences
Course Listing for this program
ADMN 165 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction To Computing Systems
Introduction to Computing Systems explains how computer systems, comprised of hardware and software, work. Computing systems are used as a tool, and are intended to increase operation efficiencies in business. Having a clear understanding of computing systems is important to those who often work with limited resources. In addition to enabling the student in understanding how to implement and utilize computing systems, this course will review examples of how computing systems and information technology have been used in economic development. More Details on this course
Prerequisites:COMP 050 / or equivalent or permission of the instructor.
CRIM 101 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to Criminology
This is a general overview course in Criminology. The course explores the history and evolution of criminological thought in addition to an overview of the various criminological themes: crime, delinquency, deviance, rehabilitation and treatment, victims, corrections, and the practical application of criminology to First Nations peoples. The course also addresses the relationship between theory and practice and the relationship between criminology and other disciplines. More Details on this course
CRIM 103 - Credits: 3.000
Psychological Explanations Of Criminal And Devient Behavior
This course is an introduction to, and critical examination of, biogenetic, psychiatric, and psychological explanations of criminal and deviant behavior. Special attention will be given to the hypothesized links between criminality and genetics, physiology, the endocrine system, mental disorders, personality, moral development and other forms of social learning including the impact of residential schools. More Details on this course
Prerequisites:PSYC 111 / PSYC 121 / Recommended.
CRIM 104 - Credits: 3.000
Sociological Explainations Of Criminal And Deviant Behaviour
A survey of some major sociological perspectives on crime and deviance. This will include both mainstream and critical theories, such as anomie, neutralization, control, group conflict, sub-cultural, ecological, and functionalist criminological theories. Theories will be situated in their historical, social and political contexts. Students will analyze and compare the theories’ underlying assumptions, their strengths and weaknesses, and their practical policy applications. More Details on this course
CRIM 131 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to Criminal Justice System
This course examines the patterns of crime and victimization in Canadian society with a particular view to the role of Aboriginal peoples within the criminal justice system. The course reviews mainstream and Aboriginal police operations, discretion and decision-making, and criminal courts and sentencing. In addition, this course will explore corrections from mainstream, youth and Aboriginal perspectives including correctional institutions and culturally based models of correction. More Details on this course
CRIM 135 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to Canadian Law
Criminology 135 is a general introduction to the fundamental and competing principles of jurisprudence and to the basic legal institutions of Canada. This Course prepares students for law, Aboriginal Law, and law-related courses offered in future studies and reflect the Aboriginal history of interaction with the Canadian Legal System. In addition to reviewing the basic development of law in Canada, this course will also review the legal institutions and systems in Canada and the roles and responsibilities of members within the legal professions. This course will explore legal reasoning and application, the doctrine of precedent, principles of statutory interpretation and will also introduce the fields of contract, torts, administrative law, and family law. More Details on this course
CRIM 220 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to Research Methods
This introductory course explores qualitative and quantitative approaches to social science research. Students will explore the basics of Social Scientific Research from a Social Science/Criminological Perspective. This introductory course will provide students with an overview of the nature of research, models of social scientific research, bridging theory and data, research ethics, sampling, observational methods, obtrusive and unobtrusive research techniques, types of research strategies, and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. The first half of each class will be devoted to Research Method Theory and application, the second half of the class will be devoted to How to write a research proposal and report. More Details on this course
CRIM 230 - Credits: 3.000
Criminal Law in Canada
This course reviews the nature, scope and basic principles of criminal law in Canada. Students will study fundamental legal concepts such as mens rea, negligence and strict liability. The course will analyze the concept of criminal responsibility in Canada and it will critically examine the legislative policies expressed in the Criminal Code. In addition to the exploration of the basic elements of a criminal offence this course will review criminal law as it pertains to and affects Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal populations including the examination of legal principles as they relate to specific aboriginal crimes and major defences. This course will also review the impact of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Indian Act on criminal law. More Details on this course
Prerequisites:CRIM 135
CRIM 231 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to the Judicial Process
This course provides a critical examination and evaluation of the judicial process in Canada from both an Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal perspective. This course will look at the structure and functions of the criminal court system and its relationship to other branches of government and Aboriginal peoples. In addition, this course will review the appoint, tenure and removal of judges; the social psychology of courts; the jury system; plea bargaining; judicial behaviour of the courts and the courts real and perceived role in Canadian Society. More Details on this course
Prerequisites:CRIM 131
ENGL 110 - Credits: 3.000
College Composition
English 110 prepares students to write successful college essays. This course focuses on the writing process. Students will learn how to develop, organize, write, revise, document, and edit essays. More Details on this course
Prerequisites:ENGL 060 / or English 12 or permission of instructor.
ENGL 111 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to Modern Fiction
This course is designed to introduce students to the world of fiction (short stories and novels) through a variety of First Nations and western texts. Students will explore the meaning of literature through subjective experiences and objective study of literary concepts in an interactive atmosphere. More Details on this course
Prerequisites:ENGL 110 / or permission of instructor.
FNSC 106 - Credits: 3.000
Exploring the Natural Sciences
This course reviews concepts used in the study of the natural sciences with an emphasis on biology. Students will explore astronomy, cell biology, genetics, evolution, biological diversity, geology and ecology. Indigenous and contemporary scientific ways of knowing about the natural world will be compared and contrasted. Students will be given an opportunity to explore a specific example of traditional indigenous knowledge about nature through a final project. The course includes a laboratory component that provides theoretical knowledge and practical experiences in gathering, organizing and analyzing different aspects of natural science. More Details on this course
FNST 101 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to First Nations Studies II
This is an introductory First Nations Studies course that will review the historical relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples within Canada. It will then provide an overview of the contemporary relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples within Canada as they relate to issues of identity, consciousness, population, health, social development, justice, urban experience, treaties, self-determination and self-government, land claims policy, organization, the Canadian Government, and economic development. More Details on this course
PHIL 100 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to Critical Thinking
While the truth of an argument rests upon a statement’s correspondence to the facts of the matter, the logical strength of an argument rests upon the degree to which the claims and evidence actually support the overall conclusion of the argument. This course provides students with the philosophical concepts and critical skills necessary to assess the logical strength of arguments to determine when an argument constitutes a logically strong argument and when, conversely, it constitutes an argument in appearance only. This course offers a much-needed practical foundation in critical thinking skills that will enable students to become stronger thinkers in their own writing and more adept critics of texts ranging from television commercials to political texts of major social significance. More Details on this course
POLI 111 - Credits: 3.000
Canadian Government and Politics
This is a general course in Canadian politics which will focus on the structures of power, the functions of political institutions and the conflicts within the political system as a whole. While the focus of the course is federal politics, some time will be devoted to understanding the provincial and municipal levels of government. Attention will be given to some contemporary political issues (Quebec separation and Aboriginal concerns) and Aboriginal self-government. More Details on this course
Prerequisites:ENGL 060 / or English 12 equivalency or permission of instructor.
PSYC 111 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to Psychology I
Psychology 111 is a survey course which introduces students to the field of psychology in general. Students will be encouraged to use a critical and inquiring approach to information presented to them, to be open minded, creative and divergent thinkers. More Details on this course
Prerequisites:ENGL 060 / or English 12.
PSYC 121 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to Psychology II
Psychology 121 provides an introduction to psychology in general and focuses on areas of special interest within the field of psychology. The course will provide students with a basic understanding of psychology as well as allowing them to develop a questioning approach to psychology as it is experienced in daily life. This inquisitive approach will be of benefit to students in any further studies they may undertake. More Details on this course
Prerequisites:PSYC 111 / or permission of instructor.
SOCI 200 - Credits: 3.000
The Nature of Racism
This course examines the nature of racism and solutions to it from a historical, political, sociological, and cultural perceptive. This course will also look at race and culture as a social concept recognizing the impact of dominant majority group values, norms, and conflicting ideologies that inevitably lead to inequitable social and economic structures in Canada. Racism is analyzed by looking how it is manifested in government, education, media, human services, employment, justice and law enforcement. Finally, the concept of democratic racism will be explored as well as the policies and practices that support or attempt to dissolve its existence. More Details on this course
STAT 203 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences
This is an introduction course into the discipline of statistics with an emphasis upon applications within the social sciences. The course provides students with an overview of statistical methods that includes scales, measures of central tendency, frequency distributions, normal distributions, sample distributions, hypothesis testing (also known as significance testing), variability, probability, z-scores, analysis of variance, estimation, and linear regression and correlation. The student will learn to apply these descriptive and inferential statistical methods in interpretations of data and analyses of behavioural research pertaining to the social sciences. More Details on this course
Prerequisites:Written Exam (Minimum 50%) or Math Course
For information on transferability, please see the BC Council on Admissions and Transferability