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CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN - RESULTS OF A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY COURSE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, URBANA-CHAMPAIGN - REPORT 2 - INSTRUCTOR'S OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS, MARCH 1978

NCJ Number
49203
Author(s)
L S BELL
Date Published
1978
Length
265 pages
Annotation
RESULTS OF THE FIRST YEAR OF THE CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN PROGRAM (CPTED) COURSE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING TEACHER'S RECOMMENDATIONS AND STUDENT'S EVALUATIONS.
Abstract
KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE ARE BRIEFLY SUMMARIZED IN ORDER TO DISCUSS COURSE EVALUATIONS. THESE WERE TO PROVIDE A GENERAL PROGRAM OVERVIEW, TO REVIEW SPECIFIC CRIME-ENVIRONMENT CASE STUDIES, TO PRODUCE A FORUM FOR THE EXCHANGE OF DIVERSE VIEWPOINTS, AND TO OFFER OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO APPLY CPTED AWARENESS TO INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS. A COURSE EVALUATION BY THE STUDENTS WAS CONDUCTED BY USE OF QUESTIONNAIRES. THERE WAS GENERAL INTERDISCIPLINARY INTEREST IN THE COURSE, AND STUDENT SATISFACTION AFTER TAKING THE COURSE WAS HIGH. FUNDAMENTAL ASSUMPTIONS WHICH GUIDED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COURSE WERE STILL BELIEVED TO BE VALID AFTER THE FIRST YEAR EVALUATION. THESE INCLUDE THE PREMISIS THAT THE COURSE SHOULD BE ORIENTED TO DEAL WITH PRACTICAL INTERESTS OF DESIGNERS, PLANNERS, AND POLICYMAKERS THAT INFLUENCE ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN PRIORITIES AND DECISIONS, THAT THE COURSE SHOULD BE INTERDISCIPLINARY, THAT THE FIRST PRIORITY SHOULD BE TO OFFER THE COURSE TO REASONABLY ADVANCED STUDENTS, THAT JOINT DEPARTMENTAL SPONSORSHIP IS DESIRABLE, AND THAT THE COURSE SHOULD DRAW UPON ALL AVAILABLE AND RELEVANT RESOURCES. COURSE FORMAT AND TEACHING DEVICES ARE REVIEWED. IN CONDUCTING A COURSE, THE INSTRUCTOR SHOULD KEEP IN MIND THAT STUDENTS WILL PROBABLY HAVE A MODERATE INTEREST IN STATISTICAL CRIME DATA, AND THAT CREATIVITY AND FREE COMMUNICATION IS BENEFICIAL. INSTRUCTORS SHOULD MAKE USE OF LECTURES/PRESENTATIONS, LARGE AND SMALL GROUP DISCUSSIONS, FIELD TRIPS AND POLICE RIDE-ALONG PROGRAMS, AND INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS. EXAMPLES OF PAPERS PREPARED BY CPTED STUDENTS AND THE RESULTS OF STUDENT QUESTIONNAIRES ARE PRESENTED IN APPENDIXES.