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Sociology 495 Instructor: Jim Thomas
Spring, 2006 Office: 807 Zulauf
Time: 6 - 8:40 Phone: (815) 753-6436 (off)
Classroom: 378 DuSable (815) 756-3839 (home)
Credit: 3 hours Email: jthomas@math.niu.edu
This course, designed for students wishing an indepth understanding
of prisons and prison issues, will be organized around prison trips,
discussions, readings, and practical activities. Although we will focus
primarily on Illinois prisons and jails, other states may be included if
an opportunity arises. It satisfies the Section B elective requirement
for the Sociology/CJ emphasis.
Required Texts and Readings (tentative)
James B. Jacobs: Stateville: The penitentiary in mass society
Dennis Shere: Cain's Redemption
Bud Allen/Diana Bosta: Games Criminals Play
Richard Jones: Doin' Time
Zaitzow and Thomas: Women in Prison: Gender and Social Control
Class Handous & Net URLs and IDOC information
Additional JStor Readings as assigned
Current Events
Grading:
Two exams (100 points EACH) / OR: Substantial class project--200 points
Final term paper: (150 points)
Prison trips: (200 points) (We will take at least 6;
4 are required (50 points each)
Short response papers (required for prison trips to earn 50 points each)
Class and project participaton: (100 points)
WebBoard: (100 points)
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(grading will be done on straight 90/80/70 scale)
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Page maintained by: Jim Thomas - jthomas@math.niu.edu