Our Class

Week of  December 10, 2017 –   Summary & Conclusion

To stay on track — 1) Attend the last few class sessions in order improve on your class participation. 2) If you have missing discussion questions/sets, you have a “no grade” for your second meeting. The deadline to resolve this issue is before the last day of class. Will become an “F” if unresolved.     

Dates & Deadlines:

December 11th – The Last Day of Class

Preparatory Readings:

• • Bonsignore . Before the Law.  entirety.
  • Bellow and Minow. Law Stories. entirety.
  • Documentary: “—” (to be shown in class)
  • Curran and Takata. Sociology of Law Handbook.
    — Introduction
    — Chapter 1, part 1
    — Chapter 1, part 2
    — Chapter 2

Lecture related links:

• Structural Violence
•  Theory, Policy, Practice
• Who’s Habermas? Why Habermas?
• W.I. Thomas’ Definition of the Situation

Concepts to be covered:

• 6Cs
• illocutionary discourse
• interrelationship between theory, policy, practice

Discussion Questions:

Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to do this week’s readings. Due:  Friday,  December 8th.

1.     David Butler states: “Each technology gives us a different space,” (Bonsignore, p 553). Which theoretical perspective — structural functionalism, Marxism, labeling theory, Habermasian theory — do you think best explains this quote? Why.  
2.   “Cyberspace may be a vibrant place, a creative place, a fun place, even a lucrative place. It is not, however, a harmonious place,” (Bonsignore, p. 555). What is your interpretation of this statement? Given  new and expanding technologies, what is the future direction of law? Why. 
3.   After completing Law Stories, which story do you find the most interesting? Why. the least interesting? Why. 
4.   What was the most important thing that you learned from this course? Why.
5.   What are the strengths and weaknesses of the teaching/learning model? What ideas and suggestions do you have to improve this model? (Constructive criticism only). 

Questions for the Overall Learning Assessment of your Visual Project (due Wednesday, December 6th).

1. Connect Your Visual Project to the Course Materials — Explain in depth, how your visual project relates to the course, (i.e., the readings, the documentaries, class discussions, major concepts & theories). In addition, relate your visual project to “theory, policy, practice.” 
2.  Learning — Based on your visual project, what have you learned? Provide examples to illustrate your points. (Focus only on your visual project).  
3.  Self-Assessment — Based on the 6Cs with particular emphasis on competence, what grade have you rightfully earned on the overall learning assessment part of your visual project? Why. Provide a letter grade: ___ Explain why.  

Beyond the Readings:

• Select a controversial issue relating to conflict resolution: 
  • restorative justice
  • victim-witness mediation
  • dispute resolution
• Visit the county courthouse. Observe “law in action.” 
• Write your own law story 

 Recommended Readings:

— Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
— Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law. Check out this link Martha Minow on the Dear Habermas site.

Our Creativity – Making Cards

Email me at: takata@uwp.edu

* * * * *

Updated:  December 6, 2017

Our Class

Week of  December 3, 2017 –   Cyberspace and the Future of Law

To stay on track — 1) Proofread your overall learning assessment before submitting it. 2) Attend the last few class sessions in order improve on your class participation. 3) If you have missing discussion questions/sets, you have a “no grade” for your second meeting. The deadline to resolve this issue is before the last day of class. Will become an “F” if unresolved.     

Dates & Deadlines:

December 6th – Your overall learning assessment is due

December 11th – The Last Day of Class

Preparatory Readings:

• • Bonsignore . Before the Law. Chapters 21, 22, 23 & 24.
  • Bellow and Minow. Law Stories. entirety.
  • Documentary: “—” (to be shown in class)
  • Curran and Takata. Sociology of Law Handbook.
    — Introduction
    — Chapter 1, part 1
    — Chapter 1, part 2
    — Chapter 2

Lecture related links:

• Structural Violence
•  Theory, Policy, Practice
• Who’s Habermas? Why Habermas?
• W.I. Thomas’ Definition of the Situation

Concepts to be covered:

• cyberspace
• transborder data flow
• ODR (online dispute resolution)
• intellectual property
• 6Cs
• illocutionary discourse
• interrelationship between theory, policy, practice

Discussion Questions:

Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to do this week’s readings. Due:  Friday,  December 8th.

1.     David Butler states: “Each technology gives us a different space,” (Bonsignore, p 553). Which theoretical perspective — structural functionalism, Marxism, labeling theory, Habermasian theory — do you think best explains this quote? Why.  
2.   “Cyberspace may be a vibrant place, a creative place, a fun place, even a lucrative place. It is not, however, a harmonious place,” (Bonsignore, p. 555). What is your interpretation of this statement? Given  new and expanding technologies, what is the future direction of law? Why. 
3.   After completing Law Stories, which story do you find the most interesting? Why. the least interesting? Why. 
4.   What was the most important thing that you learned from this course? Why.
5.   What are the strengths and weaknesses of the teaching/learning model? What ideas and suggestions do you have to improve this model? (Constructive criticism only). 

Questions for the Overall Learning Assessment of your Visual Project (due Wednesday, December 6th).

1. Connect Your Visual Project to the Course Materials — Explain in depth, how your visual project relates to the course, (i.e., the readings, the documentaries, class discussions, major concepts & theories). In addition, relate your visual project to “theory, policy, practice.” 
2.  Learning — Based on your visual project, what have you learned? Provide examples to illustrate your points. (Focus only on your visual project).  
3.  Self-Assessment — Based on the 6Cs with particular emphasis on competence, what grade have you rightfully earned on the overall learning assessment part of your visual project? Why. Provide a letter grade: ___ Explain why.  

Beyond the Readings:

• Select a controversial issue relating to cyberspace and the future of law: 
  • intellectual property
  • cyberbullying
  • identity theft
  • virtual reality
• Visit the county courthouse. Observe “law in action.” 
• Write your own law story 

 Recommended Readings:

— Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
— Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law. Check out this link Martha Minow on the Dear Habermas site.

Our Creativity – Making Cards

Email me at: takata@uwp.edu

* * * * *

Updated:  November 30, 2017

Our Class

Week of  November 26, 2017 –   Conflict Resolution

To stay on track — 1) Finish Question 2  and begin Question 3 of your visual project’s overall learning assessment. 2) Attend your second meeting.    

Dates & Deadlines:

November 20-28 – Second Meetings

December 6th – Your overall learning assessment is due

December 11th – The Last Day of Class

Preparatory Readings:

• • Bonsignore . Before the Law. Chapters 18 & 19.
  • Bellow and Minow. Law Stories.  White and Afterword
  • Documentary: “—” (to be shown in class)
  • Curran and Takata. Sociology of Law Handbook.
    — Introduction
    — Chapter 1, part 1
    — Chapter 1, part 2
    — Chapter 2

Lecture related links:

• Structural Violence
•  Theory, Policy, Practice
• Who’s Habermas? Why Habermas?
• W.I. Thomas’ Definition of the Situation

Concepts to be covered:

• mediation
• dispute resolution
• restorative justice
• victim-offender mediation 
• private autonomy v. public autonomy

Discussion Questions:

Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to do this week’s readings. Due:  Friday,  December 1st.

1.    In White’s “On the Vision and Practice of Participation in Project Head Start,” what is the tension between facts and norms? Why.  
2.  How would the four sociological perspectives — structural functionalism, Marxism, Labeling Theory  and Habermasian Theory — explain conflict resolution? Which perspective do you agree with the most? Why. 
3.   Does American society have too much conflict or too little conflict? How could this be measured and evaluated?  [Bonsignore, p 501, Q.3]  
4.   Is restorative justice a legitimate goal of our justice system? Is it obtainable? [Bonsignore, p. 533, Q.4] 

Questions for the Overall Learning Assessment of your Visual Project (due Wednesday, December 6th).

1. Connect Your Visual Project to the Course Materials — Explain in depth, how your visual project relates to the course, (i.e., the readings, the documentaries, class discussions, major concepts & theories). In addition, relate your visual project to “theory, policy, practice.” 
2.  Learning — Based on your visual project, what have you learned? Provide examples to illustrate your points. (Focus only on your visual project).  
3.  Self-Assessment — Based on the 6Cs with particular emphasis on competence, what grade have you rightfully earned on the overall learning assessment part of your visual project? Why. Provide a letter grade: ___ Explain why.  

Beyond the Readings:

• Select a controversial issue relating to conflict resolution: 
  • restorative justice
  • victim-witness mediation
  • dispute resolution
• Visit the county courthouse. Observe “law in action.” 
• Write your own law story 

 Recommended Readings:

— Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
— Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law. Check out this link Martha Minow on the Dear Habermas site.

Our Creativity – Making Cards

Email me at: takata@uwp.edu

* * * * *

Updated:  November 23, 2017

Our Class

Week of  November 19, 2017 –  The Jury

To stay on track — 1) Work on Question 2 of your visual project overall learning assessment. 2) Attend your second meeting.    

Dates & Deadlines:

November 20-28 – Second Meetings

November 24th – Thanksgiving Vacation (no class) 

December 6th – Your overall learning assessment is due

December 11th – The Last Day of Class

Preparatory Readings:

• • Bonsignore . Before the Law. Chapter 14, 15, 16.
  • Bellow and Minow. Law Stories. Weaver.
  • Movie: “Inside the Jury Room” (to be shown in class)
  • Curran and Takata. Sociology of Law Handbook.
    — Introduction
    — Chapter 1, part 1
    — Chapter 1, part 2
    — Chapter 2

Lecture related links:

• The Robert Garrow Case
• Structural Violence
•  Theory, Policy, Practice
• Who’s Habermas? Why Habermas?
• W.I. Thomas’ Definition of the Situation

Concepts to be covered:

• Duncan v. Louisiana
• Blakely v. Washington
• jury nullification
• peremptory challenges
• jury selection
• Batson v. Kentucky
• Miller-El v. Cockrell

Discussion Questions:

Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to do this week’s readings, and view “Inside the Jury Room.” Due:  Monday, November 27th.

1.    How does Weaver’s “Daily Log of Independent Fieldwork” relate to structural violence? Why.  
2.  How might a structural functionalist, Marxist, Labeling theorist and Habermas conduct a study of juries?
3.   Which of the four sociological perspectives — structural functionalism, Marxism, labeling theory or Habermasian theory — best explains the documentary, “Inside the Jury Room? Why. 
4.   What can we learn [from this story] about the importance of having a jury of one’s peers? (Bonsignore, p 468) 

Questions for the Overall Learning Assessment of your Visual Project (due Wednesday, December 6th).

1. Connect Your Visual Project to the Course Materials — Explain in depth, how your visual project relates to the course, (i.e., the readings, the documentaries, class discussions, major concepts & theories). In addition, relate your visual project to “theory, policy, practice.” 
2.  Learning — Based on your visual project, what have you learned? Provide examples to illustrate your points. (Focus only on your visual project).  
3.  Self-Assessment — Based on the 6Cs with particular emphasis on competence, what grade have you rightfully earned on the overall learning assessment part of your visual project? Why. Provide a letter grade: ___ Explain why.  

Beyond the Readings:

• Select a controversial issue relating to juries: 
  • jury selections
  • jury of one’s peers
  • peremptory challenges
  • jury nullification 
• View “Twelve Angry Men.” Compare and contrast with “Inside the Jury Room.”  
• Visit the county courthouse. Observe “law in action.” 
• View an old movie or television program that depicts the legal profession. How realistic are these portrayals? 
• Come up with your own law story 

 Recommended Readings:

— Paula DiPerna. Juries on Trial. 

— Alan Dershowitz. The Best Defense. 

— Steve Bogira. Courtroom 302: A Year Behind the Scenes in an American Courthouse. 

—  Deborah L. Rhode.  Access to Justice. 

— Mark Weiner. Black Trials.  

— Dan T. Carter. Scottsboro: Tragedy of the American South. 

— Anthony Lewis. Gideon’s Trumpet. 

— Harriet Ziskin. Blind Eagle. 

— Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
— Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law. Check out this link Martha Minow on the Dear Habermas site.

Our Creativity – Making Cards

Email me at: takata@uwp.edu

* * * * *

Updated:  November 16, 2017

Our Class

Week of  November 12, 2017 –  Lawyers

To stay on track — 1) Work on Question 1 of your visual project overall learning assessment. 2) Know when you signed up for your second meeting.    

Dates & Deadlines:

November 20-28 – Second Meetings

November 24th – Thanksgiving Vacation (no class) 

December 6th – Your overall learning assessment is due

December 11th – The Last Day of Class

Preparatory Readings:

• • Bonsignore . Before the Law. Chapter 11, 12, and 13. 
  • Bellow and Minow. Law Stories. Ogletree; Smith.
  • Movie: “The Paper Chase” (to be shown in class)
  • Curran and Takata. Sociology of Law Handbook.
    — Introduction
    — Chapter 1, part 1
    — Chapter 1, part 2
    — Chapter 2

Lecture related links:

• The Robert Garrow Case
• Structural Violence
•  Theory, Policy, Practice
• Who’s Habermas? Why Habermas?
• W.I. Thomas’ Definition of the Situation

Concepts to be covered:

• LSAT
• the reproduction of hierarchy
• the Socratic methods
• “fight” theory v. “truth” theory

Discussion Questions:

Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to do this week’s readings, and view “The Paper Chase.” Due:  Monday, November 20th.

1.    According to the structural functionalist, Marxist, labeling theorist and Habermas, what is the most important point in the movie, “The Paper Chase.” Which perspective do you agree with the most? Why.  
2.   In Ogletree’s “Public Defender, Public Friend…” , what is the most important message that the author is trying to convey? Why. What would Howard Becker and Jurgen Habermas say is the most important message in this story? Why. 
3.   In Smith’s “On Representing a Victim of Crime,” what is the tension between facts and norms? What might you suggest to relieve the tension? Why. 
4. In an earlier edition of Bonsignore’s book, Florynce Kennedy said, “[T]he law is a hustle…” What did she mean by this? How would the four sociological perspectives explain/interpret this statement? Which interpretation do you agree with the most? Why.  
5. Relating to the clip, “The Robert Garrow Case” and this week’s readings (both Bonsignore and Bellow/Minow books), should there be any limits to a lawyer’s advocacy? Should socity have any interest in the lawyer-client relationship so long as the lawyer is ethical? (Bonsignore, p. 374, Q. 3. You need to read this question in its entirety).  

Questions for the Overall Learning Assessment of your Visual Project (due Wednesday, December 6th).

1. Connect Your Visual Project to the Course Materials — Explain in depth, how your visual project relates to the course, (i.e., the readings, the documentaries, class discussions, major concepts & theories). In addition, relate your visual project to “theory, policy, practice.” 
2.  Learning — Based on your visual project, what have you learned? Provide examples to illustrate your points. (Focus only on your visual project).  
3.  Self-Assessment — Based on the 6Cs with particular emphasis on competence, what grade have you rightfully earned on the overall learning assessment part of your visual project? Why. Provide a letter grade: ___ Explain why.  

Beyond the Readings:

• Select a controversial issue relating to lawyers: 
  • law school rankings
  • affirmative action in the legal profession
  • ethical dilemmas in the practice of law

the public defender

• Interview a lawyer. Find out what his/her law school experience was like. 
• Visit the county courthouse. Observe “law in action.” 
• View an old movie or television program that depicts the legal profession. How realistic are these portrayals? 

 Recommended Readings:

— Paula DiPerna. Juries on Trial. 

— Alan Dershowitz. The Best Defense. 

— Steve Bogira. Courtroom 302: A Year Behind the Scenes in an American Courthouse. 

—  Deborah L. Rhode.  Access to Justice. 

— Mark Weiner. Black Trials.  

— Dan T. Carter. Scottsboro: Tragedy of the American South. 

— Anthony Lewis. Gideon’s Trumpet. 

— Harriet Ziskin. Blind Eagle. 

— Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
— Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law. Check out this link Martha Minow on the Dear Habermas site.

Our Creativity – Making Cards

Email me at: takata@uwp.edu

* * * * *

Updated:  November 9, 2017

Our Class

Week of  November 5, 2017 –  Law Enforcement 

To stay on track — Proofread your work carefully. Your visual component (including the self-assessment)  is due on Friday, November 10th.   

Dates & Deadlines:

Friday, November 10th – Visual Component is due 

November 20-28 – Second Meetings

November 24th – Thanksgiving Vacation (no class) 

December 6th – Your overall learning assessment is due

December 11th – The Last Day of Class

Preparatory Readings:

• • Bonsignore . Before the Law. Chapter 8, 9 & 10. 
  • Bellow and Minow. Law Stories. Minow .
  • Curran and Takata. Sociology of Law Handbook.
    — Introduction
    — Chapter 1, part 1
    — Chapter 1, part 2
    — Chapter 2

Lecture related links:

• Structural Violence
•  Theory, Policy, Practice
• Who’s Habermas? Why Habermas?
• W.I. Thomas’ Definition of the Situation

Concepts to be covered:

• police use of deadly force
• the rule of law v. the order of custom
• Terry v. State of Ohio
• Brown v. Texas
• Florida v. Bostick
• police discretion
• racial profiling/DWB
• police body cams

Discussion Questions:

Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to do this week’s readings. Due:  Monday, November 13th.

1.    Other than your own visual project, which project was the most creative? the most informative? Explain why. 
2.   Why did Chief Justice Warren say that the exclusionary rule is not very effective in regulating police actions in which arrest is not the police officer’s aim? Why. [Bonsignore, p. 288, Q.1]
3.    What might Goldstein say about the deployment of secret regulations in law enforcement, in light of his statement about the ‘high value … placed on candor, forthrightness, and honesty in confronting the need for appropriate resources and authority, in the uses made of the criminal law and in acknowledging the discretion police are required to exercise? [Bonsignore, p. 306, Q.2]
4. How would a structural functionalist, Marxist, labeling theorist and Habermas explain “racial profiling” by law enforcement? Why. Which theoretical perspective do you agree with the most? Why . 
5. In Minow’s “What’s Wrong with These Pictures? . . . ” what is the most important message that the author is trying to tell us? Why. Which theoretical perspective — structural functionalist, Marxist, labeling theory or Habermasian theory — best explains this story? Why. 

Questions for the Overall Learning Assessment of your Visual Project (due Wednesday, December 6th).

1. Connect Your Visual Project to the Course Materials — Explain in depth, how your visual project relates to the course, (i.e., the readings, the documentaries, class discussions, major concepts & theories). In addition, relate your visual project to “theory, policy, practice.” 
2.  Learning — Based on your visual project, what have you learned? Provide examples to illustrate your points. (Focus only on your visual project).  
3.  Self-Assessment — Based on the 6Cs with particular emphasis on competence, what grade have you rightfully earned on the overall learning assessment part of your visual project? Why. Provide a letter grade: ___ Explain why.  

Beyond the Readings:

• Select a controversial issue on law enforcement to explore further:
  • police recruitment and training
  • affirmative action in policing
  • police use of deadly force
  • police brutality
  • community oriented policing
  •   police administration and leadership
  •  females in law enforcement
  •  minority police officers

 Recommended Readings:

— Jerome Skolnick and James J. Fyfe. Above the Law: Police and the Excessive Use of Force.

— Peter K. Manning. Police Work.

— Samuel Walker. The Police in America. An Introduction.

—  Jim Dwyer, Peter Neufield & Barry Scheck. Five Days to Execution and Other Dispatches form the Wrongly Accused.

— Kenneth J. Peak and Ronald W. Glensor. Community Policing and Problem Solving: Strategies and Practices. 

— Richard A. Leo, et al., eds.  The Miranda Debate: Law, Justice and Policing.

— Anthony Lewis. Gideon’s Trumpet. 

— Nicholas Alex. Black in Blue. 

— Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
— Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law. Check out this link Martha Minow on the Dear Habermas site.

Our Creativity – Making Cards

Email me at: takata@uwp.edu

* * * * *

Updated:  November 2, 2017

Week of  October 29, 2017 –  Habermas’ Between Facts and Norms/Law Stories 

Our Class

To stay on track — 1) Finish up your visual component and begin the self-assessment questions.  

You are falling behind if you — 1) have not resolved your “no grade” because of missing discussion questions. 2) have not signed up for your second meeting. 

Dates & Deadlines:

Friday, November 10th – Visual Component is due including self-assessment. 

November 20-28 – Second Meetings

November 24th – Thanksgiving Vacation (no class) 

Preparatory Readings:

• • Bonsignore . Before the Law. Chapter –. 
  • Bellow and Minow. Law Stories. Introductions; Alfieri; Lapides; Lynd .
  • Curran and Takata. Sociology of Law Handbook.
    — Introduction
    — Chapter 1, part 1
    — Chapter 1, part 2
    — Chapter 2

Lecture related links:

• Structural Violence
•  Theory, Policy, Practice
• Who’s Habermas? Why Habermas?
• W.I. Thomas’ Definition of the Situation

Concepts to be covered:

• Jurgen Habermas
• facts
• norms
• tension between facts and norms
• private autonomy v. public autonomy
• privileging subjectivity

Discussion Questions:

Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to do this week’s readings. Due:  Friday, November 3rd.

1.   What does silence and silencing have to do with this week’s law stories?  Why. What are some of the other themes in Law Stories? Why stories? 
2.   In your own words, define structural violence, and demonstrate how this concept relates to all of this week’s law stories. (Be sure to cover all stories). 
3.    What is the tension between facts and norms in “We are all we’ve got”? According to Habermas, how night this tension be resolved? Why.

Self-Assessment Questions for the Visual Component (due Friday, November 10th).

1. Division of Labor: If working in a group, a) list the names of the individuals in your group, and b) explain the division of labor, (i.e., who did what) as well as your individual contributions. 
2.  Self-Assessment: Based on the 6Cs, what grade have you rightfully earned on the bibliographic part of this visual project? Why. Provide a letter grade: ___ Explain why.  

Beyond the Readings:

 — Find the ideal example of the tension between facts and norms. Examine each part — fact, norm and tension. 

 Recommended Readings:

— Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
— Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law. Check out this link Martha Minow on the Dear Habermas site.

Our Creativity – Making Cards

Email me at: takata@uwp.edu

* * * * *

Updated:  October 26, 2017

Week of  October 22, 2017 –  Law & Popular Will/Theoretical Perspectives: Interactionism & Feminism 

Our Class

To stay on track — 1) Finish up your visual component including an inexpensive but creative take away item.   2) Sign up for your second meeting. 

You are falling behind if you have not resolved your “no grade” because of missing discussion questions. 

Dates & Deadlines:

Tuesday, October 24th – Last day to drop class

Friday, November 10th – Visual Component is due including self-assessment. 

November 20-28 – Second Meetings

November 24th – Thanksgiving Vacation (no class) 

Preparatory Readings:

• • Bonsignore . Before the Law. Chapter 6-7. 
  • Bellow and Minow. Law Stories. — .
  • Curran and Takata. Sociology of Law Handbook.
    — Introduction
    — Chapter 1, part 1
    — Chapter 1, part 2
    — Chapter 2

Lecture related links:

•  Theory, Policy, Practice
• Who’s Habermas? Why Habermas?
• W.I. Thomas’ Definition of the Situation

Concepts to be covered:

• labeling
• societal reaction
• moral entrepreneurs
• Howard Becker
• feminist theory
• intersectionality

Discussion Questions:

Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to do this week’s readings. Due:  Friday, October 27th.

1.   There is also tension between the medical community and drug law enforcement. Does marijuana have proven therapeutic uses, or is the California referendum just a way to begin to legalize marijuana?  (Bonsignore, p. 173, Q.2) How would an interactionist analyze this issue? Why.
2.   There is a battle over sexual preferences taking place in churches, in schools, and in the courts. What should be the place of legal institutions in cultural battles? Before concluding that the courts should stay out of them, remember from our earliest case study that nonintervention is never neutral.  (Bonsignore, p. 178, Q.4) 
3.    … How can legal regulation or company policies be drawn in order to both take into account manifest industrial hazards AND avoid discrimination based on gender of the possibility of pregnancy? (Bonsignore, p. 202, Q.1). What would Howard Becker’s stance be? Why.
4.  What transformation in the judicial approach to cases at the intersection of race and gender would be required for Crenshaw’s criticism of the cases to be met? (Bonsignore p. 213, Q.1). 

Self-Assessment Questions for the Visual Component (due Friday, November 10th).

1. Division of Labor: If working in a group, a) list the names of the individuals in your group, and b) explain the division of labor, (i.e., who did what) as well as your individual contributions. 
2.  Self-Assessment: Based on the 6Cs, what grade have you rightfully earned on the bibliographic part of this visual project? Why. Provide a letter grade: ___ Explain why.  

Beyond the Readings:

 — Examine some of the classic social scientific studies  based on participant or outside observer methodologies. 

—  Evaluate the works of Herbert Blumer, Howard Becker and Travis Hirschi. 

— Explore the labeling that goes on in schools, at the workplace or within one’s family. 

— Study both the positive and negative stereotypes/stereotyping. 

 Recommended Readings:

— Herbert Blumer.  Symbolic Interactionism.   

— Howard Becker. Outsiders.

— Harriet Ziskin. Blind Eagle.  

*****

 — Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
— Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law. Check out this link Martha Minow on the Dear Habermas site.

Our Creativity – Making Cards

Email me at: takata@uwp.edu

* * * * *

Updated:  October 22, 2017

Week of  October 15, 2017 –  Law & Society at Midterm 

To stay on track — Continue to work on your visual component including an inexpensive but creative take away item.   

You are falling behind if you have not resolved your “no grade” because of missing discussion questions. 

Dates & Deadlines:

Tuesday, October 24th – Last day to drop class

Friday, November 10th – Visual Component is due including self-assessment. 

Preparatory Readings:

• • Bonsignore . Before the Law. Chapter 1-5. 
  • Bellow and Minow. Law Stories. — .
  • Curran and Takata. Sociology of Law Handbook.
    — Introduction
    — Chapter 1, part 1
    — Chapter 1, part 2
    — Chapter 2

Lecture related links:

•  Theory, Policy, Practice
• Who’s Habermas? Why Habermas?
• W.I. Thomas’ Definition of the Situation

Concepts to be covered:

• structural functionalism
• Marxism
• illocutionary discourse
• aesthetics of answerability

Discussion Questions:

Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to do this week’s readings. Due:  Friday, October 20th.

1.   Focusing back on “law and discretion,” compare and contrast how a structural functionalist and a Marxist would explain this subject. Be sure to explain why. 
2.  Returning to the parable, “Before the Law,” how would a structural functionalist interpret this parable? Why. How would a Marxist explain this parable? Why. Which theoretical perspective — structural functionalism or Marxism — do you agree with the most? Why. 
3.    At midterm, what have you learned about your visual project topic? Provide examples to illustrate your point. What have you accomplished on the visual phase of your project? 

Self-Assessment Questions for the Visual Component (due Friday, November 10th).

1. Division of Labor: If working in a group, a) list the names of the individuals in your group, and b) explain the division of labor, (i.e., who did what) as well as your individual contributions. 
2.  Self-Assessment: Based on the 6Cs, what grade have you rightfully earned on the bibliographic part of this visual project? Why. Provide a letter grade: ___ Explain why.  

Beyond the Readings:

 — Explore the issues surrounding today’s homeless.

—  Examine what is considered poverty level. Calculate a budget of how to feed a family of four for one month at poverty level. 

— Study an issue from a social class perspective: sports, education, work, leisure, religion and so forth. What are the social class differences? Why.

 Recommended Readings:

— Jeffrey Reiman.  The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison.   

— Anthony Platt.   Child Savers.  

*****

 — Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
— Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law. Check out this link Martha Minow on the Dear Habermas site.

Email me at: takata@uwp.edu

* * * * *

Updated:  October 12, 2017

Week of  October 8, 2017 –  Theoretical Perspectives: Marxism/Law, Status, Wealth & Power

To stay on track — You should be planning your visual component including an inexpensive but creative take away item.   

You are falling behind if you have not resolved your “no grade” because of missing discussion questions. 

Dates & Deadlines:

Tuesday, October 24th – Last day to drop class

Friday, November 10th – Visual Component is due including self-assessment. 

Preparatory Readings:

• • Bonsignore . Before the Law. Chapter 5. 
  • Bellow and Minow. Law Stories. — .
  • Curran and Takata. Sociology of Law Handbook.
    — Introduction
    — Chapter 1, part 1
    — Chapter 1, part 2
    — Chapter 2

Lecture related links:

•  Theory, Policy, Practice
• Who’s Habermas? Why Habermas?
• W.I. Thomas’ Definition of the Situation

Concepts to be covered:

• Marxism
• Karl Marx
• bourgeoisie
• proletariat
• lumpenproletariat
• class consciousness & false consciousness
• the underclass
• revolution
• capitalism
• infrastructure & superstructure
• exploitation
• alienation
• Richard Quinney
• conflict theory

Discussion Questions:

Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to do this week’s readings. Due:  Friday, October 13th.

1.   Do sentencing criteria discriminate against the lower-class offenders? Are the factors relevant in determining sentences the same as those denoting “success” in society? To what extent does the achievement of success in society result from the prior achievement of status, wealth, and power by one’s family or by happening to be born into the “right environment?” (Bonsignore, p. 121, Q.2)   
2.  What contemporary questions are suggested by the investigation of slavery? Can modern-day roles be placed in the same paradigm of masters, overseers, drivers, and slaves? (Bonsignore, p. 123, Q.2).
3.    At the most General Motors stood to pay $23,600 to Streich. So why all the commotion and high-priced legal talent?  (Bonsignore, p. 132, Q.6).  
4.    Should the phrase “wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment” be broad enough to include bargaining about plant closings? (Bonsignore, p. 137, Q.2).  
5. …Using the various readings found in this chapter, evaluate the Marxian thesis. (Bonsignore, p. 150, Q.4) 

Self-Assessment Questions for the Visual Component (due Friday, November 10th).

1. Division of Labor: If working in a group, a) list the names of the individuals in your group, and b) explain the division of labor, (i.e., who did what) as well as your individual contributions. 
2.  Self-Assessment: Based on the 6Cs, what grade have you rightfully earned on the bibliographic part of this visual project? Why. Provide a letter grade: ___ Explain why.  

Beyond the Readings:

 — Explore the issues surrounding today’s homeless.

—  Examine what is considered poverty level. Calculate a budget of how to feed a family of four for one month at poverty level. 

— Study an issue from a social class perspective: sports, education, work, leisure, religion and so forth. What are the social class differences? Why.

 Recommended Readings:

— Jeffrey Reiman.  The Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison.   

— Anthony Platt.   Child Savers.  

*****

 — Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
— Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law. Check out this link Martha Minow on the Dear Habermas site.

Email me at: takata@uwp.edu

* * * * *

Updated:  October 5, 2017