SOCIOLOGY 452 (ON CAMPUS): PEACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
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Sociology 452: Peace and Social Justice
Jim Thomas                                                                                                         jthomas@sun.soci.niu.edu
DuSable 448 - 6 to 8:45 pm                                                                                   (816-756-3839 (h)
Office: 807 Zulauf                                                                                                 Office Hours:

The concept of "justice" remains an ambiguous term. "Peace," while an apparently simple concept, is never as easy 
to define as it seems in practice.  Peace and Social Justice (SOCI 452-on campus) critically explores these terms as 
they play out in varieties of contemporary social and international conflict. Emphasis will be placed on "social 
justice," as we examine the philosophical, historical, legal, and other factors that facilitate or restrict individuals,
groups, and nations in pursuing a common good beyond individual self-interest.  Emphasis will be placed on "social 
justice," as we address the philosophical and conceptual roots, ask "social justice for whom," and explore the 
relationship betweeen the "Enlightment tradition" and contemporary views of "justice and equality." Topics will 
include the law and crime, "environmental justice," interpersonal violence, racism, sexism, and other topics around 
which social conflict emerges.

The course takes a "social harms" approach to justice, which suggests that crime and justice cannot be understood only 
by looking at legal transgressions, but instead must examine whether policies and behaviors have an adverse effect
on people, groups, and nations.

TEXTS and READINGS:

Avaiable at bookstore:
   --Tom R. Tyler (Editor). 1997. Social Justice in a Diverse Society (Paperback)
   --Paulo Freire: Pedagogy of the Oppressed
   --D. Sullivan and L. Tifft: Restorative Justice: Healing Foundations....

Available on class homepage:
   --Hal Pepinski: From Crime and Criminal Justice to Violence/Peacemaking 
   --Weekly online readings

NOTE: This class will have a strong ONLINE compenent of Net exercises, WebBoard discussion group, and other 
activities. Students are expected to have access to a computer and be able to engage in weekly activities.
YOU MUST HAVE REGULAR WEB ACCESS AND BE ABLE TO READ PDF AND MSWORD FILES!
ASSIGNMENTS/READINGS WILL BE GIVEN AT LEAST TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE, SHAPED
BY EMERGING CLASS ISSUES.

GRADING

--Class participation: 70 points (10 pct of grade)
--Quizzes (only top 5 will count): 50 points
--WebBoard:       100 points
--Midterm exam:   100 points
--Final exam:     100 points
--Final Paper:    150 points
--WEB Exericises: 200 points
________________
TOTAL:  770

NOTE: ATTENDANCE IS MANDATORY--YOU GET ONE UNEXCUSED ABSENCE! MORE THAN ONE 
*UNEXCUSED* ABSENCE WILL RESULT IN A TEN (10) POINT REDUCTION FROM YOUR TOTAL POINTS 
FOR EACH UNEXCUSED ABSENCE.

Here is how you SIGN UP for Webboard & listserv. 

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