Week 5: Law & Social Change
Week of February 25, 2018 – Critical Race Theory & the American Indian
To stay on track, 1) attend your first meeting with me. 2) begin to plan your visual component including an inexpensive but creative take away item.
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Preparatory Readings:
-
- Arrigo, Bruce. Social Justice/Criminal Justice. Chapter 9.
- Crow Dog, Mary. Lakota Woman. Chapters 5 – 10.
- Tygiel, Jules. Baseball’s Great Experiment.
- Rodriguez, Luis. Always Running.
- Houston, Jeanne & James. Farewell to Manzanar.
- Curran and Takata. Sociology of Law Handbook:
— Introduction
— Chapter 1, part 1
— Chapter 1, part 2
— Chapter 2 - Documentary: “Incident at Oglala” (was shown in class)
Lecture related links:
Concepts to be covered:
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- American Indian v. Native American
- the reservation Indian v. the urban Indian
- Wounded Knee
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
- American Indian Movement (AIM)
- critical race theory (CRT)
- critical legal theory (CLS)
- interracial crime
- racial hoaxes
- Leonard Peltier
- Dennis Banks
- Russell Means
Discussion Questions:
Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to this week’s assigned readings and other materials. Due: Wednesday, February 28th.
- Think about your own view of what you have been taught about the American Indian. How does your view compare to Lakota Woman and the documentary “Incident at Oglala”? Why.
- Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of critical race theory as applied to Lakota Woman. Do you agree or disagree with this theory? Why.
- Select one social change issue relating to the American Indian. Demonstrate how critical race theory would be useful. Why?
Going Beyond the Course Materials:
Note: If this week’s topics interest you, here are suggestions for going beyond:
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-
- Read one of the recommended books listed below on the American Indian. Do a visual book review.
- Examine how stereotypes and the stereotyping of the American Indian has changed from the past to present day.
- Compare and contrast the life experiences of the reservation Indian and the urban Indian.
- Trace either prime time television or movie images of the American Indian from past to present.
- Examine the legal cases involving of Leonard Peltier, Dennis Banks or other American Indian leaders.
- Examine the controversy behind American Indian mascots and logos.
- Research the development and proliferation of Indian gaming casinos. Has that helped or hurt today’s American Indians.
- Explore the Indian gaming and fishing rights and treaties in the State of Wisconsin.
- Trace the creation and development of AIM.
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Recommended Readings:
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- Leonard Peltier. Prison Writings.
- Dee Brown. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee.
- Nancy Lurie. Mountain Wolf Woman.
- Paula Gunn Allen. The Sacred Hoop: Recovering the Feminine in American Indian Culture.
- Gregory Michno. Lakota Noon: The Indian Narrative of Custer’s Defeat.i>
- .Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
- Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law.
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Email me at: takata@uwp.edu
Created: July 27, 2003
Latest Update: February 22, 2018
Week 5: Professions
Week of February 25, 2018 – The Economy: Outlook & Prospects
To stay on track, you should 1) be revising and resubmitting elements of your midterm career portfolio — objectives, resume and an elective piece. Do NOT wait until the last-minute. Monday, March 5th is the final day to submit rough drafts. Your midterm portfolio is due at the beginning of class on Friday, March 9th. 2) attend your first meeting.
Preparatory Readings
-
- Spencer Johnson. Who Moved My Cheese? — entire book.
- Mark Jones. Criminal Justice Pioneers in U.S. History. — entire book .
- Susan Takata and Jeanne Curran. Theory, Policy, Practice of a Career. [online] — Chapters 1 to 5
- J. Scott Harrs & Karen Hess. Careers in Criminal Justice and Other Related Fields – Section 1
- Randy Pausch. The Last Lecture.
Lecture related links:
Concepts to be covered:
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- anomie (Durkheim)
- Merton’s anomie (cultural goals and institutionalized means)
- alienation (Marx)
- trends
- “three waves” (Toffler)
- The Occupational Outlook Handbook
- salaries & fringe benefits
- generalist v. specialist
- internships
- Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs
- self actualization
Discussion Questions:
Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to read this week’s assigned readings. Due: Friday, March 2nd.
1. Bring in a recent current event that presents an optimistic outlook on the economy. Then, bring in another current event that presents a pessimistic outlook. Which outlook do you agree with the most? Why.
2. On page 1 of Careers in Criminal Justice and Related Fields, the authors include the following quote: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Why did the authors include this quote?
3. Imagine you have a crystal ball — what changes do you see in the world of work five years from now? Ten years from now? Fifty years from now? (from H&H, p. 13, Q.1)
4. Can you think of unique skills that could make a job candidate more attractive to a hiring agency? (from H&H, p. 70, Q.7)
Midterm Career Portfolio Self-Assessment Questions (due Friday, March 9th)
1. At midterm, what have you learned? Explain in depth and in details.
2. Based on the 6Cs, what grade have you earned on your midterm career portfolio? Why.
Suggestions for your Career Portfolio:
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- How much education do you really need (now and later)? Why.
What jobs do you think will become more necessary in the future? less necessary? (H&H, p. 14, Q.5)
- What else can you do with a J.D. beyond the practice of law?
At your workplace, examine the formal organization with its informal structure. How does the work get done? - Explore how dead-end career paths emerge.
- Go to the latest edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Look up your career goal. What does it say about your future career?
- Trace the historical development and changes in your selected profession.
- Read an autobiography about a prominent CRMJ professional.
- How much education do you really need (now and later)? Why.
Recommended Readings:
-
- Deepak Malhotra. I Moved Your Cheese.
- Richard Bolles. What Color is Your Parachute?
- Malcolm Gladwell. Outliers: The Story of Success.
- Dennis W. Bakke. Joy at Work.
- Megan Hustad. How to be Useful.
— Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
— Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law.
Email: takata@uwp.edu
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Created: July 27, 2003
Latest Update: February 22, 2018
Week 5: Corrections
Week of February 25, 2018 – Prisoners & Prison Guards
To Stay on Track: 1) First meetings begin on March 2nd. Know when your meeting is. 2) Begin to plan your visual component including an inexpensive but creative take away item.
Preparatory Readings:
- Hassine. Life Without Parole. — Chapters 19-27; afterword & appendices.
- Haas and Alpert. Dilemmas of Corrections. Chapters 11-15 (from last week).
- Documentary: “Prison State” (to be shown in class)
- Documentary: “Quiet Rage” (was shown in class last week)
- Dawley. A Nation of Lords. —-
Lecture related links:
Concepts to be covered:
- building tender (BT)
- target violence
- physical victimization, psychological victimization, economic victimization
- the Zimbardo prison experiment
- role playing
- self fulfilling prophecy
- inmate code
- prisonization
- total institution (Erving Goffman)
Discussion Questions:
Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to do this week’s assigned readings and incorporate the following documentaries into your answer — “Hard Time,” “Quiet Rage” and “Prison State.” Due: Monday, March 5th.
- Compare and contrast the Haas and Alpert chapters on prison guards and staff members to Hassine’s descriptions. What are the differences and similarities? How do these two sources compare to the documentaries, “Hard Time,” “Prison State” and “Quiet Rage” (the Stanford Prison Experiment).
- Compare and contrast the Jeffrey J. Williams article (to be distributed in class), and the documentary, “Quiet Rage.” What do these sources tell us about the interrelationship between “theory, policy and practice” regarding the work of today’s correctional officers? Why.
- How can we ever change our real institutions such as Waupun, when they are designed to resist critical evaluation/feedback and operate in relative secrecy and isolation from outside control by taxpayers and legislators? Why. Be sure to incorporate the readings and other class materials into your answer.
- What did you like best about Life Without Parole? Why. What did you like least about this book? Why. Provide examples to illustrate your point.
Going Beyond the Course Materials:
Note: If you found this week’s topic interesting, check out how you can go beyond the materials discussed.
— NEW – Compare and contrast a series of prison movies and television shows (both old and new) with Hassine’s Life Without Parole. What are some similarities and differences. why.
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- Examine one of the following demographic characteristics of those in prison: age, race/ethnicity, gender or socio-economic status.
- Read John Irwin’s It’s About Time: America’s Imprisonment Binge. Are we imprisoning too many individuals? Why.
- If you enjoyed reading Hassine’s Life Without Parole, you might be interested in other prisoner autobiographies/biographies:
- Jack Henry Abbott. In the Belly of the Beast.
- Leonard Peltier. Prison Writings.
- Jarvis Jay Masters. Finding Freedom: Writings from Death Row.
- Mumia Abu-Jamal.Live from Death Row.
- Rubin “Hurricane” Carter. Thirteenth Round.
- Eldridge Cleaver. Soul on Ice.
- The Autobiography of Malcolm X.
Recommended Readings:
— John Irwin. The Warehouse Prison.
— John Irwin. The Imprisonment Binge.
-
- Alfie Kohn. Beyond Discipline: From Compliance to Community.
- Alfie Kohn. Unconditional Parenting.
Email me at: takata@uwp.edu
Created: July 27, 2003
Latest Update: February 22, 2018
Week 4: Law & Social Change
Week of February 18, 2018- Marxist Criminology and Socialist Feminism
To stay on track, you should be 1) Finishing up your self-assessment, and proofreading your bibliography. 2) Signed up for your first meeting (in my office 370 MOLN).
Preparatory Readings:
-
- Arrigo, Bruce. Social Justice/Criminal Justice. Chapters 1 and 2.
- Crow Dog, Mary. Lakota Woman. Chapters 1 through 4.
- Tygiel, Jules. Baseball’s Great Experiment.
- Rodriguez, Luis. Always Running.
- Houston, Jeanne & James. Farewell to Manzanar.
- Curran and Takata. Sociology of Law Handbook:
— Introduction
— Chapter 1, part 1
— Chapter 1, part 2
— Chapter 2 - Documentary: “Incident at Oglala” (to be shown in class)
Lecture related links:
Concepts to be covered:
-
- Karl Marx
- means of production
- modes of production
- infrastructure
- superstructure
- alienation
- exploitation
- marginalization
- gender inequality
- patriarchy
Discussion Questions:
Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to this week’s assigned readings and the documentary, “Incident at Oglala.” Due: Monday, February 26th.
- According to Marxist criminologists, what is the connection between criminal justice and social justice? (from Arrigo, p. 27, Q.1). How does this theory relate to “Incident at Oglala”? Why.
- What insights about criminal justice/social justice does a socialist feminist perspective offer? (Arrigo, p. 47, Q.6) Provide examples from Lakota Woman .
- Which theory — Marxist Criminology or Socialist Feminism — is a more accurate view of today’s social world? Why.
Going Beyond the Course Materials:
Note: If this week’s topics interest you, here are suggestions for going beyond:
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-
- Read one of the recommended books listed below on Marxist criminology and/or Socialist Feminism.
- Examine how a particular setting (i.e., school, work, shopping mall, church) is socially stratified. Who’s on top? Who’s on the bottom? Why.
- Trace the changing status and role of women. Did the laws relating to women cause social change or did social change cause the laws to change the status of women? Why.
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Recommended Readings:
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- Jeffrey Reiman. The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison.
- Anthony Platt. The Iron Fist and the Velvet Glove.
- M.J. Lynch & W.B. Groves. Primer in Radical Criminology.
- R. Michalowski. Order, Law and Crime.
- Freda Adler. Sisters in Crime.
- A. Davis. Women, Race and Class.
- Catherine MacKinnon. Toward a Feminist Theory of the State.
- J. Messerschmidt. Capitalism, Patriarchy, and Crime.
- Nicole Rafter and E. Stanko. Judge Lawyer Victim Thief: Women, Gender Roles and Criminal Justice.
- I. Young. Justice and the Politics of Difference.
- Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
- Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law.
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Email me at: takata@uwp.edu
Created: July 27, 2003
Latest Update: February 15, 2018
Week 4: Professions
Week of February 18, 2018 – The Modern-Day Professionalization of the Criminal Justice Profession/The Formal Structure of Criminal Justice:
To stay on track, you should be 1) revising and resubmitting elements of your midterm career portfolio — objectives, resume and an elective piece. Do NOT wait until the last-minute. 2) signed up for your first meeting
Dates/Deadlines
— Friday, March 9th, beginning of class – Midterm Career Portfolio due
— Friday, March 16th – Last Day to Drop Class
Preparatory Readings
-
- Spencer Johnson. Who Moved My Cheese? — entire book.
- Mark Jones. Criminal Justice Pioneers in U.S. History. — Parts 3, 4, and 5.
- Susan Takata & Jeanne Curran. Theory, Policy, Practice of a Career. [online] — Chapters 4 & 5
- J. Scott Harrs & Karen Hess. Careers in Criminal Justice and Other Related Fields –
- Randy Pausch. The Last Lecture.
Lecture related links:
Concepts to be covered:
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- social problems
- dead-end career paths
- technical skills v. general skills
- exchange theory
- achievement motivation theory
- utility theory
- the formal structure
- line and staff
- informal structure
- rites of passage
Note: You will be held accountable for the readings and discussion questions listed here. There will be no “testing.” That means that you will not have to live in anxious anticipation of what we will ask and how much you will have to know. Instead, I will provide weekly discussion questions, lectures, essays, and concepts I feel that you should know as a result of having taken this course. You will assure me of that learning and receive your grade for the questions and concepts about which you choose to write and talk about. In addition you will find detailed explanations and examples on our grading policies in the first week’s reading.
Discussion Questions:
Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to read this week’s assigned readings. Due: Friday, February 23rd.
1. In Parts 3 through 5 of Criminal Justice Pioneers..., which individual had to overcome the greatest obstacles? Why.
2. In this week’s Pioneers … , which individual do you find the most admirable? Why.
3. Compare and contrast the importance between the formal structure and the informal organization in the workplace?
Suggestions for your Career Portfolio:
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- At your workplace, examine the formal organization with its informal structure. How does the work get done?
- Explore how dead-end career paths emerge.
- Go to the latest edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Look up your career goal. What does it say about your future career?
- Trace the historical development and changes in your selected profession.
- Read an autobiography about a prominent CRMJ professional.
Recommended Readings:
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- Carl T. Rowan. Dream Makers, Dream Breakers: The World of Justice Thurgood Marshall.
- Clarence Darrow. The Story of My Life.
- Robert C. Cotrell. Roger Nash Baldwin and the American Civil Liberties Union.
- Jack Pollack . Earl Warren: The Judge Who Changed America.
- William Moses Kunstler and Sheila Isenberg. My Life as a Radical Lawyer.
- F. Lee Bailey. The Defense Never Rests.
- Samuel L. Knapp. The Life of Thomas Eddy.
- Samuel Walker. Popular Justice: A History of American Criminal Justice.
- Thomas J. Brown. Dorothea Dix: New England Reformer.
- Ari Hoogeboom. Rutherford B. Hayes: Warrior and President.
- Zebulon Brockway. Fifty Years of Prison Service: An Autobiography.
- Rudolph Chamberlain. There is No Truce: A Life of Thomas Mott Osborne, Prison Reformer.
- Estelle Freedman. Maternal Justice: Miriam Van Waters and the Female Reform Tradition.
- Gladys A. Erickson. Warden Ragen of Joliet.
- Gladys Carpenter Duffy. Warden’s Wife.
- Jane Addams. Twenty Years at Hull House.
- Jean Ehshtain. Jane Addams and the Dream of American Democracy.
- Deepak Malhotra. I Moved Your Cheese.
- Richard Bolles. What Color is Your Parachute?
- Malcolm Gladwell. Outliers: The Story of Success.
- Dennis W. Bakke. Joy at Work.
- Megan Hustad. How to be Useful.
— Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
— Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law.
Email: takata@uwp.edu
* * * * *
Created: July 27, 2003
Latest Update: February 15, 2018
Week 4: Corrections
Week of February 18, 2018 – Realities of Prison Life
To Stay on Track: 1) Work on your self-assessment questions, and proofread your annotated bibliography.
Falling behind: 1) if you are not finished with your annotated bibliography. 2) you have not signed up for your first meeting.
Dates/Deadlines
— Friday, February 23rd, beginning of class – Annotated Bibliography due including self-assessment.
Preparatory Readings:
- Hassine. Life Without Parole. — Chapters 1-18
- Haas and Alpert. Dilemmas of Corrections. Chapters 11-15.
- Documentary: Quiet Rage (to be shown in class)
- Dawley. A Nation of Lords. —-
Lecture related links:
Concepts to be covered:
- building tender (BT)
- target violence
- physical victimization, psychological victimization, economic victimization
- role playing
- self fulfilling prophecy
Discussion Questions:
Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to do this week’s assigned readings and “Quiet Rage” and other documentaries shown in class to date. Due: Monday, February 26th.
- If the prison experiment has failed miserably, then why do we keep building more prisons? Incorporate this week’s course materials into your answer. What does this tell you about the interrelationship between theory, policy and practice? Incorporate the documentary, “Quiet Rage.”
- Compare and contrast the realities of prison life according to Hassine’s Life Without Parole and this week’s readings in Haas & Alpert’s Dilemmas of Corrections. Provide examples from the readings.
- Which came first — the violent person creating the violent prison or prisons as a violent environment creating the violent person (0r an even more violent person)? Why. Relate the documentary “Quiet Rage” and the readings into your answer.
Going Beyond the Course Materials:
Note: If you found this week’s topic interesting, check out how you can go beyond the materials discussed.
— NEW – Compare and contrast a series of prison movies and television shows (both old and new) with Hassine’s Life Without Parole. What are some similarities and differences. Why.
-
- Examine one of the following demographic characteristics of those in prison: age, race/ethnicity, gender or socio-economic status.
- Read John Irwin’s It’s About Time: America’s Imprisonment Binge. Are we imprisoning too many individuals? Why.
- If you enjoyed reading Hassine’s Life Without Parole, you might be interested in other prisoner autobiographies/biographies:
- Jack Henry Abbott. In the Belly of the Beast.
- Leonard Peltier. Prison Writings.
- Jarvis Jay Masters. Finding Freedom: Writings from Death Row.
- Mumia Abu-Jamal.Live from Death Row.
- Rubin “Hurricane” Carter. Thirteenth Round.
- Eldridge Cleaver. Soul on Ice.
- The Autobiography of Malcolm X.
Recommended Readings:
— John Irwin. The Warehouse Prison.
— John Irwin. The Imprisonment Binge.
-
- Alfie Kohn. Beyond Discipline: From Compliance to Community.
- Alfie Kohn. Unconditional Parenting.
Email me at: takata@uwp.edu
Created: July 27, 2003
Latest Update: February 15, 2018
Week 3: Law & Social Change
Week of February 11, 2018 – Difference and More Habermas
To stay on track, 1) finish up the research on your visual project topic and begin your annotated bibliography.
* * * * *
Preparatory Readings:
-
- Arrigo, Bruce. Social Justice/Criminal Justice.
- Crow Dog, Mary. Lakota Woman.
- Tygiel, Jules. Baseball’s Great Experiment.
- Rodriguez, Luis. Always Running.
- Houston, Jeanne & James. Farewell to Manzanar.
- Curran and Takata. Sociology of Law Handbook: Chapter 2.
— Introduction
— Chapter 1, part 1
— Chapter 1, part 2
— Chapter 2 - Movies: “Sneetches” and “Zax” (to be shown in class)
Lecture related links:
Concepts to be covered:
-
- private autonomy v. public autonomy
- difference
- dilemma of difference
- privileging subjectivity
- the Other
- inclusion/exclusion
- You will be held accountable for the readings and discussion questions listed here. There will be no “testing.” That means that you will not have to live in anxious anticipation of what we will ask and how much you will have to know. Instead, I will provide weekly discussion questions, lectures, essays, and concepts I feel that you should know as a result of having taken this course. You will assure me of that learning and receive your grade for the questions and concepts about which you choose to write and talk about. In addition you will find detailed explanations and examples on our grading policies in the first week’s reading.
Discussion Questions:
Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to this week’s assigned readings and other materials. Due: Wednesday, February 14th.
- Select a current event (not discussed in class) that best illustrates Habermas’ discussion of private autonomy v. public autonomy. Which should take priority and why?
- According to Martha Minow, what is the dilemma of difference? How does this relate to the Dr. Seuss stories shown in class?
- What are the connections between Habermas and the focus of this course — law and social change.
Going Beyond the Course Materials:
Note: If this week’s topics interest you, here are suggestions for going beyond:
-
- Read Habermas’ Between Facts and Norms.
- Explore the following concepts: the Other, the dilemma of difference, privileging subjectivity, and the arrogance of knowingness. relationship between “law and social change.” Can laws cause social change? Or, does social change “change” laws? How? Why?
Recommended Readings:
- Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
- Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law.
Email me at: takata@uwp.edu
Created: July 27, 2003
Latest Update: February 8, 2018
Week 3: Professions
Week of February 11, 2018 – Evolution and Historical Development of the Criminal Justice Profession:
To stay on track, you should be revising and resubmitting elements of your midterm career portfolio — objectives, resume, and an elective piece.
Preparatory Readings
-
- Spencer Johnson. Who Moved My Cheese? — entire book.
- Mark Jones. Criminal Justice Pioneers in U.S. History. — Parts 1 and 2.
- Susan Takata and Jeanne Curran. Theory, Policy, Practice of a Career. [online] — Chapters 2 and 3
- J. Scott Harrs & Karen Hess. Careers in Criminal Justice and Other Related Fields –
- Randy Pausch. The Last Lecture.
Lecture related links:
Concepts to be covered:
-
- archival research
- field observation
- participant observation
- interviewing
- survey research
- the politics and ethics of research
- demographic forecasts
- occupational norms
Note: You will be held accountable for the readings and discussion questions listed here. There will be no “testing.” That means that you will not have to live in anxious anticipation of what we will ask and how much you will have to know. Instead, I will provide weekly discussion questions, lectures, essays, and concepts I feel that you should know as a result of having taken this course. You will assure me of that learning and receive your grade for the questions and concepts about which you choose to write and talk about. In addition you will find detailed explanations and examples on our grading policies in the first week’s reading.
Discussion Questions:
Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to read this week’s assigned readings. Due: Friday, February 16th.
1. In Parts 1 and 2 of Criminal Justice Pioneers… , which individual did you find the most interesting/fascinating? Why. Which individual had the greatest impact on the profession? Why.
2. Which social scientific research methodology would be the best approach to obtain accurate information about your career goal? Why.
3. What is the future outlook of your selected career? Are you surprised? Why or why not. (Be sure to cite or attach the source).
Suggestions for your Career Portfolio:
Note: Start thinking about ideas for your career portfolio. Cannot be something that you are doing or have done for another course. Research cannot be 100% online (i.e., google, askjeeves). Must use scholarly works, (not the popular press — Time Magazine, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated). No term papers! Allow time to dialogue, and obtain feedback.
-
- Go to the latest edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Look up your career goal. What does it say about your future career?
- Trace the historical development and changes in your selected profession.
- Read an autobiography about a prominent CRMJ professional.
Recommended Readings:
-
- James Q. Wilson. Thinking about Crime.
- Judith Pinkerton Josephson. Allan Pinkerton: The Original Private Eye.
- Joseph Bucklin Bishop. Charles Joseph Bonaparte: His Life and Public Services.
- S.N. Lake. Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshall.
- Woodworth Clum. Apache Agent: The Story of John P. Clum .
- Gene Caesar. Incredible Detective: The Biography of William J. Burns.
- Gloria E. Myers. A Municipal Mother: Portland’s Lola Greene Baldwin, America’s First Police-Woman.
- Alfred E. Parker. Crime Fighter, August Vollmer.
- Curt Gentry. J. Edgar Hoover: The Man and His Secrets.
- John C. McWilliams. The Protectors: Harry J. Anslinger and the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 1930-1962.
- William J. Bopp. O.W. Wilson and the Search for a Police Profession.
- Paul Heimel. Eliot Ness: The Real Story.
- Daryl Gates and Diane K. Shah. Chief: MY LIfe in the LAPD.
- Peter Maas. Serpico.
- W.R. Morris. Buford: The True Story of the “Walking Tall” Sheriff.
- Penny Harrington. Triumph of Spirit: An Autobiography of Penny Harrington.
- Richard Bolles. What Color is Your Parachute?
- Malcolm Gladwell. Outliers: The Story of Success.
- Dennis W. Bakke. Joy at Work.
- Megan Hustad. How to be Useful.
— Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
— Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law.
Email: takata@uwp.edu
* * * * *
Created: July 27, 2003
Latest Update: February 8, 2018
Week 3: Corrections
Week of February 11, 2018 – Who Goes to Prison and why?
To Stay on Track: 1) You should be finishing the research on your pre-approved visual project topic. Begin working on your annotated bibliography.
You are falling behind if you have NOT emailed me your visual project topic.
Preparatory Readings:
- Hassine. Life Without Parole. — Foreword, Preface, Chapters 9-18.
- Haas and Alpert. Dilemmas of Corrections. Chapters 6-10.
- Documentaries: “Hard Time,” and “The House I Live In” (to be shown in class)
- Dawley. A Nation of Lords. —-
Lecture related links:
Concepts to be covered:
- utilitarianism
- jails v. prisons
- disproportionate representation
Note: You will be held accountable for purposes of grading for the readings and discussion questions listed here. There will be no “testing.” That means that you will not have to live in anxious anticipation of what you will be asked and how much you will have to know. Instead, there will be weekly discussion questions, lectures, essays, and concepts that you should know as a result of having taken this course. You will assure me of that learning and receive your grade for the questions and concepts about which you choose to write and discuss in class.
Discussion Questions:
Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to do this week’s assigned readings and view “Hard Time” and “The House I Live In”. Due: Monday, February 19th.
- Based on the materials presented this week, who goes to prison? Why. In your opinion, who belongs in prison? Why. Is there a discrepancy between who goes to prison and who belongs in prison? Why. Incorporate both documentaries into your answer.
- Examining today’s American correctional system, what does Hassine tell us about the interrelationship between theory, policy, practice?
- Compare and contrast this week’s Haas & Alpert readings with Hassine, “Hard Time,” and “The House I Live In.” What are some similarities as well as the differences?
Going Beyond the Course Materials:
Note: If you found this week’s topic interesting, check out how you can go beyond the materials discussed.
-
- Examine one of the following demographic characteristics of those in prison: age, race/ethnicity, gender or socio-economic status.
- Read John Irwin’s It’s About Time: America’s Imprisonment Binge. Are we imprisoning too many individuals? Why.
- If you enjoyed reading Hassine’s Life Without Parole, you might be interested in other prisoner autobiographies/biographies:
- Jack Henry Abbott. In the Belly of the Beast.
- Leonard Peltier. Prison Writings.
- Jarvis Jay Masters. Finding Freedom: Writings from Death Row.
- Mumia Abu-Jamal.Live from Death Row.
- Rubin “Hurricane” Carter. Thirteenth Round.
- Eldridge Cleaver. Soul on Ice.
- The Autobiography of Malcolm X.
Recommended Readings:
— John Irwin. The Warehouse Prison.
— John Irwin. The Imprisonment Binge.
-
- Alfie Kohn. Beyond Discipline: From Compliance to Community.
- Alfie Kohn. Unconditional Parenting.
Email me at: takata@uwp.edu
Created: July 27, 2003
Latest Update: February 8, 2018
Week 2: Law & Social Change
Week of February 4, 2018 – Law and Social Change & Habermas
To stay on track, you need to begin to research your approved visual project topic and build your annotated bibliography.
You are falling behind if 1) I do not have your email address and 2) you have not emailed me your visual project topic.
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Preparatory Readings:
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- Arrigo, Bruce. Social Justice/Criminal Justice.
- Crow Dog, Mary. Lakota Woman.
- Tygiel, Jules. Baseball’s Great Experiment.
- Rodriguez, Luis. Always Running.
- Houston, Jeanne & James. Farewell to Manzanar.
- Curran and Takata. Sociology of Law Handbook:
— Introduction
— Chapter 1, part 1
— Chapter 1, part 2
— Chapter 2
Lecture related links:
Concepts to be covered:
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- the interrelationship between law and social change
- facts, norms, and the tension between facts and norms
- private autonomy v. public autonomy
- Theory, policy, practice
You will be held accountable for the readings and discussion questions listed here. There will be no “testing.” That means that you will not have to live in anxious anticipation of what we will ask and how much you will have to know. Instead, I will provide weekly discussion questions, lectures, essays, and concepts I feel that you should know as a result of having taken this course. You will assure me of that learning and receive your grade for the questions and concepts about which you choose to write and talk about. In addition you will find detailed explanations and examples on our grading policies in the first week’s reading.
Discussion Questions:
Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to this week’s assigned readings. Due: Wednesday, February 7th.
- Should laws lead to major social changes? Or, should social change dictate the creation of new laws? Why. What does this tell us about the interrelationship between theory, policy, practice?
- According to Habermas, what is a fact? What is a norm? What is meant by the tension between facts and norms? Provide your own example.
- Explain the progress made on your visual project to date. Focus specifically on what you have accomplished rather than what you plan to do.
Suggested Visual Projects:
Note: Start thinking about ideas for your visual project. Must relate to “law and social change.” Must be approved before starting your annotated bibliography. Cannot be something that you are doing or have done for another course. Must conduct research using scholarly works, (not the popular press — Time Magazine, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated). Email me your topic ASAP!
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- What is social change? Research an example of social changes in today’s society. Are these changes slow and gradual or quick and sudden? Why.
- Explore the relationship between “law and social change.” Can laws cause social change? Or, does social change “change” laws? How? Why?
Recommended Readings:
- Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
- Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law.
Email me at: takata@uwp.edu
Created: July 27, 2003
Latest Update: February 1, 2018
Susan Takata 