Fall 2008

Tuesday, 6:30-8:10 PM

Office: 3101 James

Office Hours: M, Tu, Th 5:00-6:00

Room 5403 James

avitale@brooklyn.cuny.edu

Objectives

·         To become familiar with the sociological and criminological literature on incarceration.

·         To learn to produce professional book reviews.

·         To communicate ideas effectively in class and in writing.

·         To learn to read professional criminological writing effectively.

 

Books

·         Currie, Elliot. 1998. Crime and Punishment in America. New York: Henry Holt & Co.

·         Western, Bruce. 2006. Punishment and Inequality in America. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.

·         (Optional) Lanier, Mark and Stuart Henry. 1998. Essential Criminology. Boulder, CO.: Westview Press.

All books can be purchased at Shakespeare & Co. and are on reserve in the library.

 

Requirements

·        Class Participation 10%: Students are expected to be in class on time and well prepared. This means reading the assignment and participating in classroom discussions. You should be prepared to be called upon to answer questions at any time.

·         1^st Book Reviews 15%: a 2-3 page review of the book by Bruce Western.

·         2^nd Book Review 15%: a 2-3 page review of the book chosen for the second half of the class.

·         In-Class Presentations 25%: There will be two in class presentations. The first will be on your choice of book to read in the second half of the class. The second will be on the book you will write your final book review about.

·         Final Book Review 35%: This should be a professional quality review of a book of your choosing on the theme of mass incarceration..

 

Ground Rules

·         If you miss class, contact the instructor by email before the next class to receive any missed assignments, handouts, etc.

·         Please do not disturb class with cell phones, side conversations, or excessive eating in class.

·         Plagiarism (writing someone else’s words as your own), sharing your exam or paper with another student, or copying another student’s paper or exam will result in an F in the course.

·         If you feel you are not doing as well as you would like in the course you should come and see me in my office or after class. Grades can not be adjusted after an assignment is completed or once the semester is over.

Course Schedule

 

Tues. 9/2          Introduction: Scholarship of Mass Incarceration

Tues. 9/9          Currie: Introduction, Ch.1 and Ch.2.

Tues. 9/16        Currie: Ch.3 - 5.

 

Tues. 9/23        Currie: Reviews

 

Tues. 10/7        Western: Part 1

Tues. 10/21      Western: Part 2

Tues. 10/28      Western: Reviews

 

Tues. 11/4        City of Disorder Lecture in SUBO, 1^st Book Review Due.

 

Tues. 11/11      Book Choice Presentations

 

Tues. 11/18      Review Book

Tues. 11/25      Review Book

Tues. 12/2        2^nd Book Review Due

Tues. 12/9        Presentations

Tues. 12/16      Presentations

Tues. 12/23      Final Book Review Due.