Course: CJS 326. Victimology (3)
Preparatory: CJS 101 or CJS 102 or CJS 302. This course introduces the field of victimology including the extent, types, theories, and effects of crime victimization and trauma at multiple levels of the social ecology. This course explores the influence of identities such as race, ethnicity, indigeneity, class, religious affiliation, disability, sexuality/sexual orientation, immigration status, gender/gender identity, and their intersections on crime victimization and access to justice. The meaning of victimization will be critically explored including who is considered a victim and the language used to describe victim’s experiences in various contexts. The interactions between victims and social systems will also be examined, with consideration of how various systems disproportionately reproduce harm to victims and communities. Students will learn about effective approaches for working with crime victims. Organizations and policies intended to support victims of crime will also be explored and critiqued.