Sociology 589 Criminal Justice in Society Fall, 1999 Office: 807 Zulauf Wednesday, 6-8:45 pm 753-6436 (off) DuSable 448 756-3839 (home) Course Outline The goal of this course is to examine the individual components of the criminal justice system, especially the judiciary, police, legal apparatus and corrections. We will examine the flow of people through the system as well as the relationships and problems between the individual components. We will also examine broader social issues that affect criminal justice operations, including political, fiscal, ideological and related issues. My intent is to run the course as a discussion group, using handouts and current events as primary source material. If you are currently working in a criminal justice agency, it would be especially useful to relate your experiences to the discussions. If you are not working in an agency, you will be expected at least once during the term to either participate in one (as in a police "ride-along") or observe one (e.g., a court setting, prison). We will be taking several field trips (Including Stateville, Dwight, Dixon). Trips are limited, and participants will be drawn by lot. Because the course has a strong internet component, you MUST have a computer account that will allow you to send and receive e-mail and surf the Net. THERE WILL BE NO TEXT BOOKS IN THIS CLASS. Instead, we will rely on library reserve, handouts and Net sources. To help defray the costs of printing, students are requested to give the Sociology Department $25. Grading: Class participation (50 points) Pop Quizes (50 points - only top 5 count) Two Class presentations (100 points each) Internet component (200 points) Variable Assignments (200 points) Final (20 page) term paper (300 points) Short (4-5 page) papers (includes one book critique) 50 points each ---------------------------- TOTAL: 1,100 It may sometimes be NECESSARY TO CHANGE the course assignments listed on the assignments page. These changes will be announced, and YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for knowing what goes on in class.
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