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Sociology 589 Criminal Justice in Society
Spring, 2008 Office: 807 Zulauf
Monday, 6-8:40 pm (815)753-6436 (off)
DuSable 448 (815) 756-3839 (home)
jthomas@math.niu.edu
WebBoard
Class Homepage
Course Outline
In this course, we will 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.
The course will be run as a seminar, 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).
As graduate students, you all have a serious responsibility to each other,
and to the seminar, to read, analyze, integrate and critique the literature
you are assigned. You must participate fully. Attendance is required, and
you must accept the responsibility of attending each seminar meeting. Each
unexcused absence will reduce your total final points by 25 points.
TEXTS:
Sherryl Kleinman: Opposing Ambitions
Tifft and Sullivan: Restorative Justice
Jeffrey Reiman: Rich get Richer (poor get prison) - 8th edition
Grading:
Class participation (100 points)
Two Class presentations (150 points each)
Variable Assignments (100 points)
Final Exam/project/exercise (200 points)
Final (18-20 page) term paper (200 points)
WebBoard: (100 points)
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TOTAL: 1,000
Grading is on a straight 90 / 80 / 70 percent scale.
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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