California State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Latest update: January 25, 1999
Faculty on the Site.

Sociology 595-01, Criminal Justice and Social Change
Tuesday, 7:00- 9:45 pm SBS E305
Jeanne Curran, Ph.D., Esq.

• Goals: To examine the criminal justice system as a social institution from the many perspectives of those who come into contact with it, namely, most of us, in some way or another. The course will take the perspective of public discourse on a topic of primary importance to the present social community. In plain English, that means that we will consider the institution from the perspective of those whose professional roles lie within it, from the perspective of those who are prosecuted by it, and from the perspective of the community and the individual and what their needs are as this institution embarks on a new century in which it will play a major part.

• Required texts:

  • Global Perspectives, Reichel
  • Images of Color, Images of Crime, Mann and Zatz
  • Dear Habermas Site Readings on Public Discourse and Criminal Justice

  Recommended Text

  • Babbie and Halley, SPSS for Criminal Justice

• Required activities:

  • Completion of exercises on basic concepts covered in the course. These exercises are on the site, as are Lecture Notes covering each of the questions. You must have an e-mail account (available through school as are computers should you not have access to one), and all written materials must be submitted to jeanne by e-mail. Workshops during the first two weeks will teach you to access the site, and to send e-mail.

  • There may be a final exam for purposes of synthesis. The class will decide this issue. A unanimous decision will be required. Public discourse will be used to make that decision.

  • Individual classroom presentation. Topics offered to give you an idea, but not meant to limit your choices:

    These presentations must be posted on the WebBoard the week before the class presentation. The posting must include:

    1. A tightly delineated and delimited topic that can be discussed within a single class period. The topic should be stated in 25 words or less. Sample: Effect on identity formation when young black males are stereotyped as violent.

    2. References to readings the group expects class to have covered by text and pages. If these include Web links, the links should be given to the material. Sample: Young Black Males and the Criminal Justice System
       

    3. Three questions for discussion:

       1. To what extent can we agree that identity is "socially constructed?"
       2. Can we agree on stories in which the "violent" stereotype affected identity formation?
       3. How does such a perspective, from the standpoint of social construction, lead to charges of "mushy" liberalism? Doesn't everyone have something to contend with in the social construction of their identity?

       Please note that the discussion group must consider the topic from an entire range of perspectives, not just one. I will even expect that those who have a specific position on the topic present arguments for the opposing perspective, the better to understand the arguments.

    4. A "Semester Production", term borrowed from Kenneth Gergen. More detail up soon, but for now, go by his definition. "[A] production on a topic of his/her choosing. The production is intended to broaden the possibilities of expression. Thus, you may wish to create a pastiche of connected writings, or abandon writing in favor of creating some other form of production that treats issues or topics relevant to Criminal Justice and Social Change." The production will also be designed to fit into the interactive nature of learning in the course so that others will be able to share in the benefits of your work. The production should be presented in some format that will be accessible to others over the Web, though the actual production of a Web page is not required.

• Grading:

  • Completion of assignments will be required for a passing grade.
  • Competent group and individual projects will be required for a B or better.
  • Creative analysis and synthesis of the material will be required for an A.

• Office:

  SBS B326
  310-243-3831
  Office Hours: T 2:30-4:30, 5:30-7:00 p.m., W 1:00-2:00