Readings for SEPTEMBER 18

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 list



Preliminary 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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