NEW COURSE PROPOSAL:
Family Violence:
A.
Course Description.
1.
Catalog Description: Analysis and study of family violence in America. This
phenomenon is examined in terms of detection, treatment, and prevention of
violence in America’s families. Specifically, the study of family violence
concerns itself with understanding the causes and effects of interpersonal
violence. Finally, this course will examine the response of the criminal justice
system to the dilemma surrounding family violence.
2.
Course outline of the major topics and subtopics:
A.
PART I: FAMILY AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:
1.
Introduction.
a.
Chapter 1.
b.
What is a Marriage and What is a Family.
c.
Nature and Scope of the Problem.
d.
Factors that Contribute to Family Violence.
2.
Sociological Theories of Family Violence.
a.
Functionalist.
b.
Conflict/Feminist Conflict.
3.
Family Violence and Psychological Abuse.
a.
Chapter 8.
b.
Understanding Psychological Aggression and Abuse in
Marriage.
4.
Legal Perspectives of Family Violence.
a.
Domestic Abuse Law.
b.
Assault 1st/3rd/5th Degree.
c.
Requirements for Arrest.
d.
Court Orders/Restraining Orders/Ex Parte Orders/Release
and No Contact Orders.
e.
Legal Elements of Harassment.
f.
Divorce and Child Custody.
5.
Physical and Sexual Violence in Marriages.
a.
Chapter 7
b.
Violence Against Woman Act of 1994.
6.
The Cycle of Violence Theory.
a.
Learned Helplessness and Hopelessness.
b.
The Process of Violence.
c.
Marital Rape Laws.
d.
Criminal Sexual Conduct.
7.
Male Batters.
a.
Chapter 9.
b.
Characteristics of Abused Women and Abusive Men.
B.
PART II: VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN:
1.
Legal Perspectives on Family Violence Against Children.
a.
Chapter 4.
b.
Chapter 2.
c.
Minnesota State Statutes.
2.
Neglect of the Child.
a.
Historical Analysis.
b.
Minnesota State Statutes.
c.
The Necessities of Life.
d.
Indications of Child Neglect.
e.
Failure to Thrive Syndrome.
3.
Physical Child Abuse.
a.
Minnesota Statute.
b.
The Abusers and the Abused.
c.
Indications of Physical Child Abuse.
d.
Ritualistic Child Abuse.
e.
Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy.
4.
Sexual Abuse of Children.
a.
Minnesota Statute.
b.
Indications of Sexual Abuse.
c.
Credibility of the Child Witness.
d.
Abuse Syndrome-Causes and Effects of Child Abuse.
e.
Dynamics of Abuse.
f.
Criminal Sexual Conduct.
C.
PART III: COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO VIOLENCE.
1.
Elder Abuse.
a.
Chapter 10.
b.
Theories of Elder Abuse.
c.
Types of Abuse.
d.
Causes of Elder Violence.
e.
Vulnerable Adult Investigation.
2.
Assessment and Treatment of Violent Families.
a.
Chapter 5.
b.
Chapter 12.
3.
Substance Abuse and Family Violence.
a.
Chapter 11.
4.
Victim Rights and Referrals:
a.
Medical Treatment and Release.
b.
Domestic Abuse Victim Rights.
c.
Victim’s Rights Groups.
d.
Peace Officer Response to Crime Victims.
3.
Base instructional plan and method utilized: This course will follow the outline
noted above. In addition, traditional instructional methods including lecture,
discussion, audiovisual materials and guest lecturers will be utilized to teach this
course.
4.
Course requirements and means of evaluation: The student will be assigned
the task of presenting information from the text to the group. These presentations
will be graded based on knowledge and quality of the information provided, as
well as the manner and creativity of the presentation. Periodic examinations will
be given which might include individual subject tests, midterm and final exams.
The type of examination will be a combination of multiple choice and essay.
Essay examination is the preferred testing format. This course will also require a
paper/project as means of student evaluation. The course paper will be a critical
analysis of family violence, including theoretical orientations and criminal justice
responses. Finally, several in-class exercises will be completed by the student
during the course. Course exercises will provide the student with an
understanding and appreciation of the topic phenomena of Family Violence.
5.
Textbook(s) or alternatives: The texts for this course will be:
Hampton, Robert L., et. al., (1999). Family Violence 2nd Prevention and
Treatment. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications.
Krause, Gerald P. (2004). Minnesota Criminal Statutes Guide. 2004 Revised
Edition. Minneapolis: St. Croix Publishing LLC.
In addition, Blackboard technology will be utilized in the class. Information
regarding all aspects of this course will be on the web-site. Included on the website will be the syllabus, outlines of lecture notes, exams, and course
announcements.
6.
List of references and bibliography:
Coltrane, Scott and Randell Collins (2001). Sociology of Marriage and the
Family. Gender, Love and Property. Belmont: Wadsworth/Thompson
Learning.
Faller, Kathleen Coulborn (1993). “Child Sexual Abuse: Intervention and
Treatment Issues.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families.
Gosselin, Denise Kindschi (2003). Heavy Hands An Introduction to the Crimes
of Family Violence 2nd Edition. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.
Kanel, Kristi (1999). A Guide to Crisis Intervention. Pacific Grove: Brooks/Cole
Publishing Company.
Kilgore, Nancy (1992). A Comprehensive Manual for Counselors, Social
Workers and Support Group Leaders. Sourcebook for Working With
Battered Women. Volcano: Volcano Press.
Payne, Brian K and Randy R. Gainey (2002). Family Violence and Criminal
Justice: A Life-Course Approach. Cincinnati: Anderson.
Strong, Bryan, et. al., (2001). The Marriage and Family Experience 8th. Intimate
Relationships in a Changing Society. Belmont: Wadsworth/Thompson
Learning.
Wallace, Harvey (1999). Family Violence: Legal, Medical, and Social
Perspectives. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Wallace, Harvey (1998). Victimology: Legal, Psychological, and Social
Perspectives. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
B.
Rationale for the New Course.
1.
Statement of major focus and objective of this course: The main goal of this
course is to expose future practitioners of the criminal justice system to the ever
present dilemma of family violence. The student will gain an understanding of
the causes and effects of interpersonal family violence. The student will gain an
knowledge and understanding of the theories of family violence. In addition, the
student will gain an understanding of physical and sexual abuse of children, child
neglect, psychological and physical abuse of spouses and intimates, the cycle of
violence, sexual violence in marriages and intimate relationships, and elder abuse.
During this process, the student will gain an understanding of the response of the
criminal justice system. Finally, the student will gain an understanding of how
these concepts allow for possible detection and treatment of family violence.
2.
Statement specifying how this course will contribute to the departmental
curriculum: Criminal Justice practitioners, including law enforcement and
probation officers, need this vital information to add to their comprehensive
knowledge and skills to deal with this societal problem. This is the only course in
the Criminal Justice curriculum that addresses this issue.
3.
Courses which may be dropped, if any, if this course is implemented: No
course will be dropped. This course will be offered as an elective in the program.
C.
D.
Provide a statement of the impact of this course on other departments, programs,
majors, and minors.
1.
Clearly state the impact of this course on courses taught in other
departments. Does the course duplicate the content of any other course? Is
there an effect on prerequisites? This course will not impact other courses
taught in other departments. The course does not duplicate other courses and
there is no impact on prerequisites.
2.
Would approval of this course change the total number of credits required
by any major or minor of any department? This course will not impact the
credits of any department or program.
3.
Notification. Does not Apply.
University Studies Course. Does not Apply.