Course List
Police Studies 2000
An Introduction to Policing in Canada: This course will examine the organization of policing, its mandate and operation. It will provide an overview of the history and development of policing in Canada; examples from Newfoundland and Labrador will be used where appropriate. It will discuss the various roles and responsibilities of the police in society. It will explore the issue of police decision making, the exercise of police powers, and the use of discretion by police officers. Several other issues relating to policing will be discussed including police recruitment and training, the professional role of the police, stress on the job and policing in a diverse society.
Prerequisites: None
Police Studies 3000
Crime Victims and Policing: This course will provide an opportunity to explore contemporary victim issues, in particular, as they relate to enhancing police response and sensitively to the needs of victims. The course will explore different types of victimization. Students will develop their capacity for critical analysis and understanding by examining the impact that involvement in the CJS can have on victims. It will discuss the role the victim can play in bringing about progressive and positive changes in CJS. The course will consider recent legislative developments, programs and services and emerging issues. The course will present the students with information about how victim engagement can promote public confidence in the administration of justice and how important the police role can be in this engagement process. It will also consider the impact on the police officer of ongoing interaction with trauma and victims.
Prerequisites: A minimum of 60 credit hours, including Police Studies 2000 and two additional courses from the Elective Courses List.
Police Studies 3100
Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice examines the gendered aspects of criminal offending, victimization, criminal justice responses (police, courts, corrections), and workers in the criminal justice system.
Prerequisites: A minimum of 60 credit hours including Sociology 1000 and Police Studies 2000.
Police Studies 3200
Internship: This is a part-time unpaid placement with a police department, Provincial Corrections, or various areas of the Department of Justice including the Sheriff's Office and Correctional Facilities. The number of openings varies and admission to the course is selective and competitive. Placements are for 12 weeks, eight hours a week, in addition to a regularly scheduled class meeting.
Prerequisites: A minimum of 60 credit hours including Police Studies 2000 and three additional courses from the Elective Courses List.
Police Studies 3500
Investigative Interviewing will introduce students to investigative interviewing. It covers a range of topics that will help develop and/or improve the interviewing skills of those working in various disciplines where professional interviewing skills are essential.
Prerequisite: Students should have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours.
Police Studies 4000
Advanced Issues in Policing provides in depth discussion of various aspects of policing. It will discuss how social, economic and political factors influence the challenges of policing in a democratic society. It will look at police powers of arrest, search and release and how they are affected by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The different types of offences found in the Criminal Code and the special knowledge required to police them will be covered. The course will consider the use of police discretion, police misconduct and accountability and ethics in policing. It will also look at officer safety and stress in the work place. Several special topics related to policing will be discussed including: policing persons with mental illness, policing drug related offences, and policing racially diverse communities.
Prerequisites: A minimum of 60 credit hours, including Police Studies 2000 and three additional courses from the Elective Courses List.
Police Studies 4001
Police Decision Making and Ethics provides students with the tools to locate, critically review, and summarize the findings and practical implications of police research on key topics. These topics include the influence of discretion on police powers and the importance of ethics and accountability in policing. The course will also discuss police officer stress and how it is influenced by ethical dilemmas. Examples of misuse of discretion and ethical dilemmas will be discussed. Prerequisites: A minimum of 60 credit hours, including Police Studies 2000 and three additional courses at the 3000 level from the Elective Courses List.
Previous Study & Work Experience
Memorial University recognizes and credits previous study and work experience via the prior learning and assessment recognition (PLAR) procedures governed by the Faculty of Arts (or a committee delegated by the Faculty) which would recommend to the Registrar's Office the number of credit hours to be granted to particular students for previous work experience.
