CRIME PREVENTION, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

About Course

This course offers a broad assessment of crime prevention, community development, and sustainable development, with a focus on the complex relationships between crime, community, and development. Students will examine the root causes of crime, the impact of crime on communities, and the role of community engagement and sustainable development in preventing crime. Key topics include crime prevention strategies, restorative justice and reconciliation, faith-based approaches to crime, evidence-based practices and policy implications, and collaborations and partnerships. Through a combination of theoretical and practical learning, students will develop the knowledge and skills needed to design and implement effective crime prevention plans that promote community development and sustainable development. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to make a positive impact in their communities and contribute to the development of safer and more sustainable societies.

Course Objectives

Analyze the complex relationships between crime, community, and development.
Develop effective crime prevention strategies that incorporate community engagement and sustainable development principles.
Apply biblical perspectives on justice, mercy, and compassion to crime prevention and community development.
Evaluate the effectiveness of crime prevention programs and policies.
Develop a comprehensive crime prevention plan that incorporates community engagement and sustainable development principles.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Crime in Communities

Topic: Defining Crime and Its Impact on Communities
Objective: Understand the concept of crime and its impact on communities.
Learning Outcomes: Define crime, explain its impact on communities, and discuss biblical perspectives on crime.
Biblical Text: Matthew 22:37-40 – “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Book Reading: Regoli, R. M. (2015). Crime and justice in America. Routledge. (Chapter 1: “Crime and Justice in America”)
Assignment: Discussion Forum: Define crime and its impact on Christian communities (500 words). Create a concept map illustrating the relationships between crime and community.

Module 2: Types of Crime and Vulnerable Populations

Module 3: Crime Prevention and Community Development

Module 4: Restorative Justice and Reconciliation

Module 5: Faith-Based Approaches to Crime

Module 6: Evidence-Based Practices and Policy Implications

Module 7: Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Abuse

Module 8: Human Trafficking and Exploitation

Module 9: Substance Abuse and Addiction

Module 10: Collaborations and Partnerships

Module 11: Policy Recommendations and Advocacy

Module 12: Community Engagement and Social Capital

Module 13: Crime Prevention and Technology

Module 14: Global Perspectives on Crime and Justice

Module 15: Sustainable Development and Crime Prevention

Topic: Combating Crime in Christian Communities

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About Course

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Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Crime in Communities

Topic: Defining Crime and Its Impact on Communities

Objective: Understand the concept of crime and its impact on communities.

Learning Outcomes: Define crime, explain its impact on communities, and discuss biblical perspectives on crime.

Biblical Text: Matthew 22:37-40 – “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Book Reading: Regoli, R. M. (2015). Crime and justice in America. Routledge. (Chapter 1: “Crime and Justice in America”)

Assignment: Discussion Forum: Define crime and its impact on Christian communities (500 words). Create a concept map illustrating the relationships between crime and community.

Module 2: Types of Crime and Vulnerable Populations

Topic: Cybercrime, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking

Objective: Analyze types of crime and vulnerable populations.

Learning Outcomes: Explain types of crime, identify vulnerable populations, and discuss biblical perspectives on justice.

Biblical Text: Proverbs 10:9 – “The Lord will destroy the house of the proud.”

Book Reading: Regoli, R. M. (2015). Crime and justice in America. Routledge. (Chapters 2-3: “Types of Crime” and “Victims of Crime”)

Assignment: Group Project: Cybercrime prevention strategies (1000 words). Create a group discussion guide on vulnerable populations.

Module 3: Crime Prevention and Community Development

Topic: Community-Based Initiatives and Partnerships

Objective: Develop strategies for crime prevention and community development.

Learning Outcomes: Explain community-based initiatives, discuss partnerships, and analyze biblical perspectives on community development.

Biblical Text: Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens.”

Book Reading: Kerley, D. R. (2015). Faith-based initiatives and community development. Routledge. (Chapters 1-2)

Assignment: Research Paper: Community-based crime prevention programs (1500 words). Create a plan for community-based crime prevention initiatives.

Module 4: Restorative Justice and Reconciliation

Topic: Principles of Restorative Justice

Objective: Analyze restorative justice and reconciliation.

Learning Outcomes: Explain restorative justice, discuss biblical perspectives on reconciliation, and analyze case studies.

Biblical Text: Matthew 18:15-22 – “Reconciliation and forgiveness.”

Book Reading: Van Ness, D. W. (2013). Restorative justice. Routledge. (Chapters 2-3)

Assignment: Reflective Journal: Restorative justice in Christian communities (500 words). Create a restorative justice program plan.

Module 5: Faith-Based Approaches to Crime

Topic: Biblical Foundations for Justice and Mercy

Objective: Analyze faith-based approaches to crime.

Learning Outcomes: Explain biblical foundations for justice and mercy, discuss faith-based crime prevention programs, and analyze case studies.

Biblical Text: Micah 6:8 – “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.”

Book Reading: Kerley, D. R. (2015). Faith-based initiatives and community development. Routledge. (Chapters 3-4)

Assignment: Research Paper: Faith-based crime prevention programs (1500 words). Create a plan for faith-based crime prevention initiatives.

Module 6: Evidence-Based Practices and Policy Implications

Topic: Research-Based Interventions

Objective: Analyze evidence-based practices and policy implications.

Learning Outcomes: Explain evidence-based practices, discuss policy implications, and analyze case studies.

Biblical Text: Proverbs 22:29 – “A man of great wrath will suffer punishment.”

Book Reading: Regoli, R. M. (2015). Crime and justice in America. Routledge. (Chapters 4-5)

Assignment: Research Paper: Evidence-based crime prevention programs (1500 words). Create a policy brief on crime prevention.

Module 7: Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Abuse

Topic: Recognizing and Responding to Domestic Violence

Objective: Analyze domestic violence and intimate partner abuse.

Learning Outcomes: Explain domestic violence, discuss biblical perspectives on relationships, and analyze case studies.

Biblical Text: 1 Peter 3:7 – “Husbands, in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way.”

Book Reading: Walker, L. E. (2017). The battered woman syndrome: A multidimensional approach. Springer Publishing Company. (Chapters 1-2)

Assignment: Group Project: Domestic violence prevention strategies (1000 words). Create a domestic violence prevention plan.

Module 8: Human Trafficking and Exploitation

Topic: Identifying and Combating Human Trafficking

Objective: Analyze human trafficking and exploitation.

Learning Outcomes: Explain human trafficking, discuss biblical perspectives on justice, and analyze case studies.

Biblical Text: Isaiah 58:6-12 – “Undo the chains of injustice.”

Book Reading: Beirne, P. (2018). Human trafficking: A reference handbook. ABC-CLIO. (Chapters 1-2)

Assignment: Research Paper: Human trafficking prevention programs (1500 words). Create a human trafficking prevention plan.

Module 9: Substance Abuse and Addiction

Topic: Understanding and Addressing Substance Abuse

Objective: Analyze substance abuse and addiction.

Learning Outcomes: Explain substance abuse, discuss biblical perspectives on addiction, and analyze case studies.

Biblical Text: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.”

Book Reading: Stanton, M. D. (2017). The addiction counselor’s desk reference. Springer Publishing Company. (Chapters 1-2)

Assignment: Group Project: Substance abuse prevention strategies (1000 words). Create a substance abuse prevention plan.

Module 10: Collaborations and Partnerships

Topic: Building Partnerships with Law Enforcement and Social Services

Objective: Develop collaborations and partnerships.

Learning Outcomes: Explain partnerships, discuss biblical perspectives on community, and analyze case studies.

Biblical Text: Matthew 25:31-46 – “The least of these.”

Book Reading: O’Connor, T. (2018). Community policing: A contemporary perspective. Routledge. (Chapters 1-2)

Assignment: Research Paper: Collaborative crime prevention programs (1500 words). Create a partnership plan with law enforcement and social services.

Module 11: Policy Recommendations and Advocacy

Topic: Advocating for Crime Prevention Policy

Objective: Analyze policy recommendations and advocacy.

Learning Outcomes: Explain policy recommendations, discuss biblical perspectives on advocacy, and analyze case studies.

Biblical Text: Proverbs 31:8-9 – “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Book Reading: Schneider, A. L. (2017). Policy design for democracy. University of Kansas Press. (Chapters 1-2)

Assignment: Policy Brief: Crime prevention policy recommendations (500 words). Create an advocacy plan for crime prevention policy.