NCJ Number
168367
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Education Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1996) Pages: 147-154
Date Published
1996
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The status of courses on environmental offenses in programs on criminal justice and other topics was examined by means of a national survey conducted in 1993.
Abstract
Environmental legislation and enforcement agencies have proliferated during the last decade. Therefore, criminal justice curricula need to included courses on environmental crime. The survey used a questionnaire mailed to the chairpersons of the 370 undergraduate and graduate departments of criminology, criminal justice, and closely related fields listed in Peterson's Four-Year Colleges, 1994. Responses came from 168 programs. Results revealed that only six programs already have a course on environmental crimes. Three other programs offer a source related to environmental crime, such as environmental law or environmental enforcement protection. Thirty-two programs present material on environmental crime in another offering. Sixteen programs indicated future plans for an environmental crime course. One hundred programs do not cover environmental crime in any way in their curricula, although most offer courses on other specific crimes. The courses on environmental crimes are usually elective undergraduate seminars. Faculty members complain of the lack of a fully satisfying textbook. Findings indicate the need for a course in environmental crime in criminal justice curricula. The survey and the authors' teaching experience suggests five guidelines for introducing environmental crime into the criminal justice curriculum. Discussion of guidelines and 26 references