Sociology 587                             Instructor: Jim Thomas
Spring, 2005                              Office: 807 Zulauf
Saturdays (See below)                     Phone: (815) 753-6436 (off)
Office Hours:  TBA                        (815) 756-3839 (home)
                                          Email:  jthomas@sun.soci.niu.edu

(NOTE: This class has a substantial interactive Internet component.
You MUST keep up on the internet component, or it will affect your grade 
substantially. Field trips are encouraged, but not mandatory. You are
strongly encouraged to attend, however.

By Fall, 2004, there are nearly  1.5 MILLION people in U.S. prisons, 
and over 670,000 in jails, or over 2 million people in prisons and jails.  
An additional 6 million were on probation or parole.  This has lead to 
problems in prison administration, prison living, and finding money to 
pay for an increasing prison population. This course examines the 
corrections process, culture, and administration. Special focus will be 
given to the question: "What should we do with social offenders?"
 
Required Texts and Readings
 
Clear and Cole:  Corrections in America
Jame Jacobs:  Stateville 
Class Handous & Net URLs
Current Events
 
We will be taking several field trips.  Participants will be drawn by lot.
Because of the many trips, class meetings will be adjusted accordingly.

MEETING SCHEDULE - HOFFMAN ESTATES:

February 5:    1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
February 19:   9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 5:       9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March 19:      9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
April 9:       9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
April 23:      (ARRANGED)
May 7:         9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
Grading:
   Two tests (midterm & final):  100 points EACH
   Pop quizzes: (50 points -- only 5 highest scores will be counted)
   Short presentations to class (two): 25 points each
   Final term paper:  (150 points)
   WebBoard:  100 points
   Class participation: (50 points)
  -------------------
  Total:  600 points   (grading will be done on straight 90/80/70 scale)
 
It may be NECESSARY TO CHANGE the course assignments listed on the 
assignments page. These changes will be announced in class and posted in 
e-mail. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for knowing what goes on in class.

Final papers will be due on Saturday, May 7.
Late papers cannot be accepted.

The course will be easier (and make more sense) if you keep up on the
ASSIGNMENTS.