University of Nevada, Las Vegas - Department of Criminal Justice

CRJ 450 Section 001

Seminar in Criminal Justice: Sex Crimes

F 11:30 am -2:20 pm, BEH 110

Fall 2005

Instructor: Dr. Alexis Kennedy

Office Hours: MWF 9:30-11:10

Office: CDC 8 Room 808

Phone: 895-5122

Email: alexis.kennedy@ccmail.nevada.edu

Website: www.alexiskennedy.com

Resources

Textbook: Stephen T Holmes & Ronald M Holmes. 2002. Sex Crimes (2^nd edition). Sage Publications.

Additional Readings: Additional readings are listed in the class schedule and will be made available either on the course website OR on the e-reserve readings at the Lied library (also available on line).

Internet Resources: Outlines for the class lectures and some of the additional readings will be posted on the course website. The website can be accessed through Dr. Kennedy’s website, www.alexiskennedy.com Click on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Courses link and then select the link to CRJ 450. Assistance is available in the computer laboratories on campus should you have any problems accessing the resources.

Course Objectives

This course will explore the problem of victimization due to criminal sexual behavior, deviant sexual preferences and commercial sexual activities. The legalization of sexual behavior will be the introductory topic with consideration of how laws reflect social morals. The psychological and social consequences of being a participant in commercial sex industries such as prostitution and pornography will be examined. Deviant sexual behavior will be considered through an analysis of paraphilias and fetishes. The consequences of childhood sexual abuse and incest will be explored in some detail. The course will conclude with an examination of rape and sexual assault.

Upon completion of this course, students will possess knowledge about the legality of different types of sexual behavior. Students will also understand the potential negative consequences of coercive sexual activity.

Disclaimer: The material covered in this course will be graphic and potentially disturbing. Sexual behavior will be described in clinical but not gratuitous terms. The topic areas, however, may be upsetting or traumatizing to some students. If you have any concerns about the material covered, you are encouraged to discuss them with the professor.

Requirements

Grade Determinants:

Mid-term Exam: 30% (October 14)

Paper: 30% (due November 18)

Final Exam: 40% (December 16)

Grading Scale:

Policies

Attendance:

Although attendance is not mandatory in this course, students may find that attending class is necessary in order to pass. A substantial number of multiple choice questions on the exams will come from class lecture material and this material may not be covered in the course textbook.

Accessibility:

The UNLV Disability Resource Center (DRC) houses the resources for students with disabilities. If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations, you will need to contact the DRC for the coordination of services. The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex (SSC), Room 137. Their numbers are: (702) 895-0866/Voice; (702) 895-0652/TDD; and (702) 895-0651/Fax. For additional information please visit http://www.unlv.edu/studentlife/drc. If you feel that you might be eligible for special accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact the DRC.

Make-up Exams:

Written proof will be required to make-up exams missed due to illness, death in the family, or observance of religious holidays. Dr. Kennedy should be contacted prior to or within 24 hours of missing an exam and make-ups will be scheduled at her discretion.

Late Assignments:

The paper is due in class on November 18^th. Assignments handed in after November 18^th will lose 5% per day (including weekend days) unless accompanied by a medical note. Papers handed in after November 18^th should be emailed to Dr. Kennedy (to assess how many days late it is) and then left in her mailbox at the Department of Criminal Justice.

Integrity:

The Academic Code is published in the undergraduate catalog and can be accessed online at http://www.unlv.edu/pubs/catalogs/undergraduate/pdf/main/acadpol.pdf. Cheating or plagiarism is prohibited and may result in penalties including failure of this course.

The University requires all members of the University Community to familiarize oneself with and to follow copyright and fair use requirements which can be found at http://www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright/.  You are individually and solely responsible for violations of copyright and fair use laws.

Calendar and Reading Assignments