INSIDE DOUGLAS COLLEGE / JANUARY 10, 1989

 

Students choosing careers in
the criminal justice system are
learning better ways to deal with
problems in our society.

Instructors in Douglas
College’s Criminology Depart-
ment help students to think
before acting, and to consider all
ramifications of their actions.

"Critical thinking is vital, so
they can deal with whatever is
thrown in their way," says in-
structor Kathleen Heggie. "For
instance (when a police officer
considers use of force) they
might then ask themselves---
why am I pulling a gun?"

Discussions in the classroom
© swirl around current and often

controversial legal questions

As you may know, the Provin-
cial Instructional Development
Advisory Committee (IDAC)
along with the Council of Prin-
cipals has recently completed a
study which has culminated in
the Morin Report (Developing
the Human Dimension). This
report has recommended the es-
tablishment of a free standing
Human Resource Development
Centre to serve the professional
development needs of faculty,
staff, board members and ad-
ministration in the B.C.
Colleges and Institutes System.
A full 60 (%) percent of its one
million dollar budget has been
dedicated for grants to in-

 

 

 

Understanding Crime

such as abortion, prostitution,
and AIDS quarantine. Students
are encouraged to examine the
issues from all angles.

Native justice is particularly
emphasized, says Heggie, with a
criminology program also of-
fered at Vancouver’s Native
Education Centre.

Referring to the number of
Native Indians in B.C. courts
and jails she says: "The fact that
Natives are over-represented in
the justice system means we
need to look at psychological
and social theories which might
explain why."

A feminist perspective is also
incorporated into the teaching
and questioning. "Regarding

GRANTS AHOY: Get Ready

dividuals and institutions within
the Colleges and Institutes sys-
tem.

According to Diane Morrison,
Provincial Coordinator of
Professional Development, the
Steering Committee of the
Centre is currently working on
criteria to judge grant alloca-
tions to the system. An
announcement as to criteria is
expected early in the New Year.

Now is the time to put pen to
paper to begin the process of
idea generation. Even though
the rules of the game are unclear
at this point, it would appear
that proposals which address
"immediate" or long term, "prac-

 

 

 

prostitution, for instance, we
look at the fact that it’s the
women and not their customers
continually being dragged into
court; what does this say about
power?"

This academic emphasis bet-
ter prepares students for future
employment, she says, while
winning Douglas College high
praise from all levels of the
criminal justice community.

While examining social issues
students also gain practical ex-
perience. By volunteering as
police auxiliaries, on victim as-
sistance programs and various
other community-based
programs, the students gain
hands-on experience.

 

tical applications to jobs and
which provide a sense of
renewal and development"
would be considered for grant al-
location. (Morin Report the
Human Dimension)

For a copy of the Morin
Report or Action Steps for Im-
plementation contact, Eugene
Hrushowy, Faculty Professional
Development Consultant, local
2632.

Updates on criteria for
proposals and funding
mechanisms will be reported
here and in the Douglas College
Professional Development
Newsletter, as they become
available.

5