September 18 - Crime rates, crime theories, crime victims Here are some readings for Sept 18: (GUIDING QUESTION: Is "crime" a "bourgeoise concept?") (There will be a brief lecture/summary of the historical material -- be prepared throughout the term to refer back to basic information for previous readings, as we will try to build on and integrate previous material and issues into current topics) PRESENTERS: Amy Misner Jim Thomas NOTE: Because Amy is raising questions about gender and crime, the Ingraham/Heterogendering article is back on the reading listPreliminary discussion questions: 1) Drawing from the URC/FBI information (and from your other social science courses), compare the types of crimes on which the FBI focuses with the types of people likely to be offenders (note: A prelinary definition of class would be useful). NOTE -- These are the '96 reports, because later reports are in PDF format, which might not be accessible to everybody) 2) Amy suggests that we might be asking the wrong question. We should also be focusing on gender biases and patriarchy, and this would be a good time to start. Do our readings provide insights to possible gender codes? 3) What are the CJ implications for Ingraham's argument that heterosexuality is an "institution" that invisibly shapes all social practices? 4) Patricia Hill Collin's "Matrix of Domination" argument suggests Class/Race/Gender as interconnected forms of asymmetrical power and control. Does her argument provide any weight for Amy's contention? There will be other questions based on these, but this should get us all started.
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