Course Description s40

CJ 602: Law & Social Control

COURSE DESCRIPTION . An examination of the nature of law and crime with a view towards determining the nature of control of social behavior by the legal system. . Prerequisites: None . CJ 602 convenes on Thursdays from 4:00-6:20 PM

COURSE OBJECTIVES/GOALS In this course you will have the opportunity to achieve the following objectives/goals:

. To learn about the criminal justice system from a historical perspective. . To examine the current issues and crimes by using historical lessons as a guide. . To evaluate the effectiveness of law as social control and alternately, social control as a mechanism for influencing the law. . To examine current social issues relative to social control, social justice, and law. . To develop and enhance critical thinking and analytic skills by dissecting our criminological roots. . To enhance professional presentation, facilitation, and communication skills. . To write analytically and critically at the graduate level using correct citation and reference styles.

REQUIRED TEXTS Muraskin, R., & Roberts, A. R. (2005). Visions for change (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Oliver, W. M., & Hilgenberg, J. F., Jr. (2006). A history of crime and criminal justice in America. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon/Longman.

Fall 2007-CJ 602-DeTardo-Bora 1 *Additional readings may be assigned and placed on reserve.

2 . COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS Students must have a computer or access to one, as well as access to the Internet to send and receive email messages. If you are using an email account other than your Marshall email account, (i.e., hotmail, yahoo, aol, etc.) you must set your Marshall email account to forward to your other account.

. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND DETERMINATION OF GRADES To evaluate your progress in reaching the course objectives/goals, you will be assessed in the following ways:

Writing Assignments (15%) The grading scale is as follows: 2 Exams (25%, 25%) 100-90 = A, 89-80 = B, 79-70 = C, Active Participation & Facilitation (15%) 69-60 = D, 59 & below = F Mini Presentation (20%)

. WRITING ASSIGNMENTS The writing assignments were designed to sharpen your analytical and critical thinking skills as well as improve your writing. When looking at the bigger picture, these assignments will be used to help us get a better sense of where we came from, as a system and discipline, and where we are going. If at all, perhaps we can use this knowledge to inform policy and solve the crime problem.

First, each student will complete 12-two page critical analyses related to the history of criminal justice using Oliver and Hilgenberg (2006). These assignments will be worth 10 points each (or a total of 120 points). In this paper you will need to identify how behavior was controlled or contained. What behavior was prohibited? What kind of behavior was not prohibited? What kind of crimes existed that needed to be controlled? Were informal social control mechanisms used? Was behavior controlled by rule of law? Was it by an agent of social control? Who were the agents of social control? Were they effective? How?

The critical analyses must be typed and double-spaced. They will be used for our discussion during class, so you may write additional notes on them. Then, they need to be submitted to me by the end of class. The writing assignments are worth a total of 15% of your final course grade.

. EXAMS There will be two exams, that is, a comprehensive mid-term and final. Both exams are worth 25% each toward your final grade. It is most likely that a portion of these exams will be essay based.

Exam Schedule: Midterm Exam: October 11, 2007 Final Exam: December 6, 2007

Fall 2007-CJ 602-DeTardo-Bora 3 Exam & Make-up Exam Policy: Examinations must be taken during the periods designated in the syllabus. If a student arrives late for an exam, the student can complete the exam but only in the original time frame specified in class. However, if a student arrives after another student has completed the exam, the student who was late will not be allowed to take the examination, because the exam has been compromised. In other words, the student cannot take the exam or make up the exam; the student will receive a grade of zero for the examination. Deviations from this policy can be made if the student makes provisions with the instructor before the test date.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify me if he/she is unable to take an examination. Students must contact me prior to the administration of the exam. (If I am not contacted prior to the exam or if you do not show up to take the exam, you will receive a failing grade for the exam.) For those students who do contact me and have a legitimate excuse (includes family emergencies/illness or pre-approved university sponsored activities), an alternative time to take the exam will be determined. The format of the make-up exam will be left to my discretion.

. ACTIVE PARTICIPATION/FACILITATION At the graduate level, students are expected to participate in class discussions on a regular basis, as it is at best, one of the most valuable avenues for learning in the classroom. Thus, students are expected to make a significant contribution by asking thought provoking questions, making pertinent observations, and sharing information. In order to participate, you must be present in class. I understand that there are circumstances that may arise throughout the semester that prevent a student from attending class. Verified excused absences include those resulting from death or illness of a family member, pre-approved university sponsored activity, or religious holiday (see MU Graduate Catalog). In the case of an unexcused absence in which an assignment is due, you will be expected to get that material to me somehow on the assigned date. Otherwise, 5 points will be deducted from the assignment for each day it is not submitted. Active class participation will account for 15% of your final grade. Facilitation is described in the next section.

. MINI PRESENTATION For the second part of the semester, we will be learning about the current issues and crimes that plague the criminal justice system. Each student will complete a 20-30 minute presentation (PowerPoint preferred) on a chapter from Muraskin and Roberts (2005). Each student will have the opportunity to select an area of interest (see second half of tentative course outline). More details will be provided explaining the requirements in full. The presentation is worth 20% of your final grade.

Furthermore, a facilitator will be appointed to guide discussion after the presentation has been given. As part of your participation grade, the facilitator can earn up to 25 points toward his/her participation grade; the remaining students will take the role of discussants. As a facilitator it

4 would be wise to come prepared to class with questions from the selected chapter (presentation topic) and to develop additional questions from the presentation. As a facilitator you will need to guide the discussion by soliciting opinions about the subject, how this subject relates to our history, and if applicable, how this issue fits into the context of law and social control. Facilitators will be graded on keeping the group discussion focused, maintaining neutrality, listening skills, encouraging discussion, summarizing key ideas, and asking substantive questions.

. ADDITIONAL POLICIES Academic Dishonesty: I would assume that every student is familiar with MU’s Dishonesty policy. If a student violates this policy, discretion will be used by the instructor depending on the severity of the offense. The sanctions may include but are not limited to lowering of a grade on a paper, lowering the final course grade, or failing the course.

For those of you, who need a reminder about the policy, please refer to the statement below.

According to the Student Handbook (2003-2004): Violations of this standard include but are not limited to: 1.A. All forms of academic misconduct, wherever committed, as defined in the Statement of Student Academic Rights and Responsibilities. Such misconduct includes cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation or falsification of data, or collaboration with others on an academic assignment unless specifically permitted by the instructor. Under West Virginia Board of Governors Policy Bulletin No. 60, disciplinary action for academic misconduct will, in most cases, be the responsibility of the academic unit in which the misconduct occurred. Sanctions and appeal routes for academic misconduct are described in the Statement of Student Academic Rights and Responsibilities. (pp. 40-41) Extra Credit: There will be no opportunities to receive extra credit in this course.

Classroom Civility: 1. All students are expected to be in class on time (including exam days). 2. All pagers, wireless phones, electronic games, radios, tape or CD players, or other electronic devices must be turned off before you enter the classroom. 2a. This also means no text messaging during class or during exams. 3. All individual conversations are not permitted. 4. Any questions that pertain to the syllabus, assignments, or grades should be asked before or after the lecture/discussion begins. Questions asked during the lecture must be relevant to the topic being discussed. 5. Respect different opinions and keep an open mind. 6. All students are expected to abide by the academic integrity policy-this means no cheating or plagiarizing!

Fall 2007-CJ 602-DeTardo-Bora 5 7. Students are expected to speak one at a time. Do not be disruptive. 8. Working on other materials during class time is considered disruptive not only to the instructor but to other classmates as well. 9. Do not use class time to catch up on your ZZZZZ’s. 10. Support your fellow classmates and reward each other with positive remarks/comments.

The DeTardo-Bora Policy: As students have a code of conduct to follow, I believe the instructor should follow one as well. Throughout this course, I will make an effort to see that the following responsibilities are carried out (these responsibilities were adapted from McKeachie, 1999). 1. I will encourage the free pursuit of learning 2. I will demonstrate respect for students 3. I will respect confidentiality 4. I will model the best scholarly and ethical standards 5. I will foster honest academic conduct and ensure fair evaluation 6. I will avoid exploitation, harassment, or discrimination

6 Tentative Course Outline: CJ 602

Week Date Topic & Assigned Readings Out-of-Class Assignments 1 8/23 Introduction Oliver & Hilgenberg-Chapter 1 & 2

2 8/30 History of Criminal Justice Oliver & Hilgenberg-Chapters 3 & 4 Two critical analyses due

4 9/13 History of Criminal Justice Oliver & Hilgenberg-Chapter 7 One critical analysis due

7 10/4 History of Criminal Justice Oliver& Hilgenberg-Chapters 12-14 Three critical analyses due

8 10/11 MID-TERM EXAM

9 10/18 Crime Challenges 2-Student Presentations Muraskin & Roberts Chapter 1 & TBA

10 10/25 Crime Challenges 2-Student Presentations Muraskin & Roberts TBA

11 11/1 Crime Challenges 2-Student Presentations

Fall 2007-CJ 602-DeTardo-Bora 7 Muraskin & Roberts TBA

12 11/8 Terrorism Law Enforcement 2-Student Presentations Muraskin & Roberts TBA

13 11/15 The Law Corrections 2-Student Presentations Muraskin & Roberts TBA

14 11/22 NO CLASS-THANKSGIVING BREAK

15 11/29 Technology Gender Issues 2-Student Presentations Muraskin & Roberts TBA

16 12/6 FINAL EXAM