Summer 2004
Dr. Tod W. Burke
Office:307 Adams St. 6B
Work: 831-6657
E-mail: tburke@radford.edu
Meeting Times: Tuesday & Thursday evenings 6:00-10:00 pm
RHEC Room 604
Victimology is the scientific study of victims including the relationship between the victim and offender; the victim and the criminal justice system; and the victim with other societal institutions. The purpose of this course is to examine the relationship between victims and crime, although other victimization studies may be discussed.
Depending on class size, topics for discussion may include (but are not limited to):
Date rape Doctor-patient sexual misconduct Media's influence on victimology Child abuse Same-sex domestic violence Hate crimes Racial profiling Inmate victimization (prisons and hospitals) Bullying Campus violence Hazing Workplace violence Victims and the criminal justice system Restorative Justice Elder abuse Victims of white collar crime Pros and cons to victim impact statements Tourists as victims Battered husbands Identity theft Stalking Victims of police brutality False accusations of victimization/Munchausen Syndrome Victims of con games False memories Sudden Infant Death Syndrome The relationship between animal abuse and human violence Teenage gambling
Grading will be based upon individual and group presentations, written assignments, and attendance/participation (including reading assignments). The value of each assignment will be noted in class. Any student missing more than one class will be deducted 20 points for each class missed (whether excused or not). This is considered part of your participation grade; if you are not in class, you are unable to participate! Formal papers must be in APA format!
The group (and perhaps some individual) presentations will be based upon a "grab-bag" topic approach. In other words, students will randomly select a topic from the list noted above. The presentation should be creative, interesting, and interactive. If you plan on using PowerPoint for your presentation, do not read the material from the slide to the class. Use the slides merely as an aid for your presentation. Your presentation should be approximately one hour (including discussion, role-playing, debates, etc.) in length. The group/individual will be graded based upon content, creativity, structure, preparedness, and clarity (see oral report guidelines on my homepage at: www.radford.edu/~tburke).
Syllabus subject to change!