GRADUATE STUDENT MANUAL
(2017-2018)
Table of Contents
Welcome!3
- Dean’s Statement3
- Origins of the Department 3
Meet the Department5
Faculty of Graduate Studies Requirements 8
- Rights and Responsibilities8
- Program Requirements9
- Supervision9
- Research Issues9
- Academic Services10
- Problematic Advisory Relationships10
- Further Information10
- Funding Opportunities11
Department Expectations11
- Advisor & Thesis Supervisor11
- Thesis Committee12
- Post-Secondary Student Anxiety & Stress12
- Time Management14
Important Tidbits15
- Tuition and Fees15
- UR Self Service: Registration and Payments15
- Funding And Financial Assistance15
Writing a Thesis16
- Sample Timeline to Thesis Completion 16
- Some Notes on Thesis Defence & Timeline19
- Managing Time & Expectations20
- Demystifying the Thesis20
- Preparing the Thesis20
- After Thesis Defence21
- Electronic Thesis21
Transportation Options22
References23
Notes24
Welcome!
We are excited you have chosen to pursue a post-graduate degree with our Department. This Graduate Student Handbook has been created to help orientate you to the Department and to life as a graduate student. Please note that this document has been created to act as a guide for students in the Department of Justice Studies. The rules and expectations put forth by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) takes precedent to all material contained herein. As a graduate student you are expected to comply and follow rules put forth by FGSR. This pilot version of the Handbook is a work in progress, and as such is subject to change.
A Word From the Dean of Arts
I am pleased to welcome you to the Faculty of Arts. It is a tribute to our Department of Justice Studies that they take pride in belonging to a Faculty of Arts. This is because they understand that to ensure justice to Canadian citizens, we need officials and civil-society workers capable of broad-minded, well-informed reflection about the deep-seated social and economic problems that too many Canadians still face. The faculty members in Justice Studies will make it a priority to open your eyes to these wider issues and will encourage you to place day-to-day professional tasks within that bigger picture. This makes me proud to have them as colleagues. And I am especially pleased that you have chosen to study with them. It will be very good for the province to have working in it professionals who came through a Faculty of Arts, one that wants its students to value intellectual curiosity, diligent reflection, and open-minded debate.
Dr. Richard Kleer
Dean, Faculty of Arts
Origins of the Department
The Department of Justice Studies and the University of Regina both share a common history as each came into being in the early 1970s. The University of Regina became an autonomus post-secondary entitywhen it broke away from the University of Saskatchewan in 1974.The Schoolof Human Justice was born this same year. The Human Justice Program sought to expand the traditional boundariesof human servicesby offering more in-depth and interdisciplinary approaches to justice-related inquiries. In the earlier years, the program was housed with the Faculty of Social Work allowing students to focus on the human ‘justice’ services. The Human Justice program moved to the Faculty of Artsin 1998. In that same year, the Police Studies program was formed and the two programs merged to create of the Department of Justice Studies.
The Department Today
Undergraduate Program
Today the Department of Justice Studies has one of the highest undergraduate enrolments in the Faculty of Arts.In our teaching, research and community service, we draw upon various academic disciplines, including anthropology, criminology, law, sociology, and social work. We adopt a broad and inclusive conception of justice encompassing criminal, restorative, legal justice and social justice alongside human rights. We prepare students for work in a variety of justice settings at community, provincial, national and international levels. Our emphasis is on the integration of theory and practice. This is realized in part through “learning by doing” components in our degree programs thatinclude a practicum component and opportunities for community-service learning.
Graduate Program
The Department hosts a graduate program engaging students that seek further professionalization in their chosen fields as well as students tracking for law school and advanced graduate studies. Our graduates work in police services, restorative justice programs, corrections, probation and parole, human rights organizations, social and health services, government departments, and acadamia.
Faculty members with diverse backgrounds mentor students throughout the course of their studies. The Department’s research areas include: policing, social justice, law, transitional justice, climate change, advocacy, non-profit governance, genocide, restorative justice, health equity, corrections and social policy.
We look forward to working with you to meet your goals to contribute to your community. By joining the Department of Justice Studies, you are becoming part of a larger academic community at the University of Regina whose motto is “As One Who Serves.”
You are also becoming part of the Faculty of Arts, which is the largest faculty on campus and includes the Social Sciences and Humanities.
We encourage you to get to know faculty and colleagues in the other Departments as they can playan active role in your research including membership on your thesis committee.
MEET THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Justice Studies is made up of seven tenure track/tenured professors, a cluster of sessional instructors, and one administrative support staff. The core team is introduced in the following section.
Dr. Nick Jones
Associate Professor
Office: CL 343
Email:
Phone: 585-4862
Research and Teaching Interests
Nick earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from San Jose State University in 1997. He completed his PhD in Sociology atthe University of Calgary in 2006 for his work focused on the judicial response to the Rwandan Genocideprior to which he worked with federal parolees and in a youth custody facility. He research areas include: restorative justice, transitional justice, policing and genocide. Nick joined the Department in 2006.
Dr. Sarah Britto
Professor
Office: CL 343.3
Email:
Phone: 585-4035
Research and Teaching Interests
Sarah earned her PhD in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the Florida State University her work on media and fear of crime.Her primary research interests include understanding crime related public perceptions, restorative justice and capital crimes, and gender-inequality and violent crime.She has worked at campuses across North America prior to joining the Department in 2015.
Hirsch Greenberg
Practicum Coordinator
Office: CL 343
Phone: 585-4779
Email:
Research and Teaching Interest
Hirsch’s research and teaching interests are informed by his experience and education. Restorative Justice/Peace Keeping and Inter-Professional Collaborative Practices are central philosophical and theoretical approaches that underpin his practice, research and teaching. He has applied this approach to crime, homelessness, mental health and addictions as well as voluntary involvement in community-based organizations.
Dr. Rick Ruddell
Professor
Law Foundation of Saskatchewan Chair in Police Studies
Office: CL 335
Email:
Phone: 337-8541
Research and Teaching Interests
Prior to this position, Rick was the Director of Operational Research at the Correctional Service of Canada. He hashad faculty positions at Eastern Kentucky University and California State University, Chico. He received his PhD in Criminology Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. His research focus includes policing, criminal justice policy, and juvenile justice. Rick joined the Department in September 2010.
Dr. Michelle Stewart
Associate Professor
Office: CL 336
Email:
Phone: 585-4873
Research and Teaching Interests
Michelle received her Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of California Davis with research focused on policing practices and training. Her current research investigates risk and prevention with attention to disabilities and how disabilities are understood in justice settings. Her research areas include: political anthropology, policing, settler-colonialism, disability studies, social movements and advocacy. She teaches the social justice stream and joined the Department in 2011.
Dr. Gloria DeSantis
Assistant Professor
Office: CL 327
E-mail:
Phone: 585-5066
Research and Teaching Interests
Prior to joining the Department in 2015, Gloria worked in social-justice oriented nonprofit organizations for 25 years. Her research interests focus on nonprofit sector advocacy in Canada, human rights, mixed methods research, participatory action research, community engagement in public policy-making, and knowledge creation from the ground up.
Dr. Margot Hurlbert, LLB, LLM (Seconded 2016-2018)
Professor Justice Studies/Sociology and Social Studies
Office: CL 235
E-mail:
Phone: 585-4232
Research and Teaching Interests
Margot is interested in pursuing justice andapplies her 18 years of practising law in a diversity of contexts (such as the environment, farming, employment, criminal justice system, human rights claims, family and business) to this endeavour. Margot’s research is water governance, energy, adapting to climate change, and marginalized people in Canada and South America. Margot joined the Department(s) in 2005.
Corie Smith
Administrative Support Staff
Office: CL 343
Email:
Phone: 585-4779
Corie is the Administrative Support Staff to the Department of Justice Studies. She works with students, professors and colleagues from our Faculty and the broader University community.Corie assists with the development and delivery of material, forms, and information pertaining to the Department. She also delivers support and service, as appropriate,to advise or direct students to the best possible resources. Corie joined the Department in 2004.
Faculty of Graduate Studies Requirements
This Section is taken directly from FGSR and it includes details about student’s rights and responsibilities. An electronic copy of this information and additional helpful links can be found at:
The Graduate student is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the program of study is consistent with the approved program as defined in the letter of acceptance and in the respective section in the Graduate Calendar. The student is expected to read the Graduate Calendar and any other relevant documents, including the FGSR web page in order to become familiar with all regulations and deadlines relating to their programs. The fundamental responsibilities of students include:
- Registration is accurate and does not lapse.
- Submission of appropriate forms to the department for signature and processing.
- Paying all fees required by the deadline dates set out in the Graduate Calendar.
- Students are also ultimately responsible for the ethical and academic process and outcome of their research.
Rights and Responsibilities
The Graduate Students' Association has developed the following proposal to provide an outline of the rights and responsibilities of graduate students to the University of Regina. This proposal is not intended to legislate the relationship between students and faculty but rather to outline and clarify some basic principles which will foster a positive experience for all individuals.
The Graduate Students' Association recognizes that graduate studies are a commitment not to be undertaken lightly by students. It is a crucial step in becoming a professional in one's field, and to that end, graduate students should strive to achieve academic excellence. The graduate student's educational environment should foster academic excellence and provide a good model for graduates to use in the future.
Most graduate students have an enriching experience during their studies at the University of Regina and leave this institution with a positive view of their research, advisor, committee, and department. This view is invaluable in the promotion of graduate studies and the reputation of the University of Regina. Upon graduation, graduate students will become representatives of their graduate program and of the University of Regina.
Program Requirements
The primary responsibility of graduate students is the timely and satisfactory completion of their program requirements including research, and/or course work. It is the responsibility of graduate students to familiarize themselves with their program requirements as described in the Calendar and Handbook of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. In addition, each graduate student is responsible for participating in the development of a detailed study program, in writing, within the graduate student's first academic semester.
Graduate students have the right to have academic expectations outlined within their first academic semester. Graduate students have the right to receive assistance with the development of their study program, as well as approval of the program, within their first academic semester. Graduate students have the right to expect that their study program will not be changed without their consultation.
Supervision
The graduate student is responsible for maintaining contact with advisors and committee members in order to keep them updated on the progress of the student's program. The graduate student is responsible for meeting deadlines and providing academic products of suitable quality for evaluation.
Graduate students have the right to regular contact with advisors or committee members throughout their program. Graduate students' have the right to an alternate advisor during an extended absence of the primary supervisor. In order to facilitate the timely completion of program requirements, graduate students have the right to timely feedback (within approximately one month) on all academic products presented for evaluation.
Research Issues
The graduate student should clarify such research issues as ownership of data, authorship of publications and joint research agreements, in writing, with their advisors and committee members.
A document clarifying such research issues should be reviewed by a third party, such as but not limited to, the Faculty of Graduate Studies, before a student signs it. Graduate students are responsible for following the guidelines outlined by the University of Regina Policy Statement on Scholarly Misconduct and the Intellectual Property Document.
Graduate students have the right to expect that agreements regarding data ownership, authorship and research agreements will be adhered to. Graduate students have the right to expect that the guidelines of the Policy Statement on Academic Misconduct and the Intellectual Property Document will be adhered to. Graduate students have the rights provided by copyright protection of their thesis and related research contributions.
Academic Services
The graduate student, employed as a Teaching Assistant, is responsible for providing the academic services outlined by the collective agreement between the University of Regina and Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2419. The graduate student is responsible for being informed of the details of the collective agreement, as well as, employment opportunities for graduate students. Graduate students are responsible for adhering to the terms of financial agreements they have entered into.
Graduate students have the right to receive a description of the academic services they are expected to provide and to refuse requests to perform any other duties. Graduate students have the right to fair consideration in employment competitions. Graduate students have the right to expect that financial agreements will be adhered to.
Problematic Advisory Relationships
The graduate student is responsible for interacting with advisors and committee members in a professional manner. Graduate students are responsible for doing their part in maintaining positive working relationships. Graduate students are responsible for respecting confidentiality and privacy requests.
Graduate students have the right to expect a professional relationship with their advisors and committee members. Graduate students have the right to expect a reasonable degree of confidentiality and privacy. Graduate students have the right to request a separation from advisors with whom irreconcilable differences have arisen and an expectation that honest efforts will be made for the successful integration with a new advisor. Graduate students have the right to assistance from their advisors, committee members, department and the Faculty of Graduate Studies in ensuring a successful student-advisor relationship.
Further Information
Graduate Students' Association, RIC 118, E-Mail:
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, Rm. 110, North Tower Residence, 306-585-4161
University of Regina Undergraduate Calendar
CUPE 2419 Collective Agreement
Funding Opportunities
There are a number of funding opportunities available to you as a graduate studentso please familiarize yourself with the deadlines and be in touch with FGSR and your supervisor to be sure you are prepared for these deadlines. Grants are a great item to have on your resume but you need to plan ahead as some are due before school starts including applications for Graduate Teach Assistantships.
Department Expectations
Introduction
Once admitted to the Department, students are expected to be active (full-time or part-time) students. As a member of the Department, students are expected to conduct their research and studies in an ethical manner and to have research findings that reflect methods that are ethical and appropriate for the research. Prior to data collection, students are expected to participate in classes and seminars that will give them the tools to conduct effective research. Students are expected to attend classes regularly, complete assignments by required deadlines and maintain overall good standing. As indicated by FGSR, each student is expected to maintain good standing while in the program. For the purposes of FGSR, each student is expected to maintain an average of 70%. Keep in mind that financial support, including scholarships and grants, are most often merit-based. As such, students will be better positioned to apply and compete for these grants by having strong grades. If you are concerned about your performance and/or anticipate that you are not meeting expectations you are encouraged to meet with your instructors and/or your supervisor. There might be tools or assistance that can be provided – rather than struggle alone ask for assistance. The university also provides a number of student services that may aid in your efforts.