Introduction to Criminal Justice - Section 005
Fall 2002
Sequence of Topics and Readings
UPDATED: 10/7/02
This list may change; be sure to check back on the main course page for notice of changes.
|
Be sure to go to the review page for questions related to the readings, and review sheets |
NOTE:
this is subject to change, as time and class needs dictate.
NOTE: CJBE = Criminal Justice, Brief Edition; BIG = BIG - DOWNLOAD AT SCHOOL - I try to give you instructions about printing specific pages if they are real big
|
WEEK OF |
TOPIC AND READING |
| 9/2 | Overview of the syllabus; using the resources provided; developing group norms for conversation; mass questionnaire |
| 9/9 |
TOPICS: What is the nature of crime? What "purposes" does it
serve? How is it changing in American Society? How do we figure out how
much there is?; Explanations of crime READ:
RECOMMENDED: Gary LaFree, Robert J. Bursik, Sr., James Short, and Ralph B. Taylor (2000). The Changing Nature Crime in America. In G. Lafree, R. Bursik, J. Short, amd R. Taylor (eds.) Crime and Justice 2000 Volume 1 . Washington: National Institute of Justice.BIG - about 49 pages - just read pages 16 to 30 - from heading "Predictions About Crime and the Criminal Justice System in the Years Ahead" to the heading "The Changing Nature of Crime in America" ONLINE: http://www.rbtaylor.net/50_read_changingnatureofcrimeinus.pdf |
| 9/16 |
TOPICS: More on measuring crime; UCR vs. NCVS; What is a rate?; perspectives on the purposes of the
criminal justice system; the question of confidence in the criminal
justice system; a respect-based model of policing
READ: |
| 9/23 |
TOPICS: The juvenile justice system; Civil vs. criminal law; definitions
of crime; loopholes; battered women defense syndrome
READ:
RECOMMENDED: Harris, P., Welsh, W., Butler, F. (2000). A Century of
juvenile justice. In G. Lafree,
R. Bursik, J. Short, and R. Taylor (eds.) Crime
and Justice 2000 Volume 1 . Washington: National Institute of
Justice.BIG BIG 67 pages - JUST READ AND PRINT PAGES 1-14 ONLINE: http://www.rbtaylor.net/50_read_juvcourtplacement.pdf TEST 1 PROBABLY AROUND THE END OF THIS WEEK |
| 9/30 |
TOPICS: Stepping through the CJS: tensions in the criminal justice system;
due process; legal
guilt vs. factual guilt; Bill of Rights
READ:
http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/constitution.table.html#amendments Read the following amendments: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 15 RECOMMENDED: Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966) (USSC+).Portions available ONLINE (these are html pages): |
| 10/7 |
TOPICS: Community policing: purposes and implementation; the Co-Production
model; community input in Chicago; The History of policing; The Function
of Police; Police Training; Police, Race and Gender; Police and Technology
impacts
READ: RECOMMENDED: Skogan, W. et al (2000). Public involvement: Community policing in Chicago. Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice. BIG - JUST PRINT AND READ PAGES 1-17 - this is about a 40 page document - Available ONLINE at: |
| 10/14 |
TOPICS: The "Respect Based" model of policing; Police
corruption; Use of Excessive force; oversight of the police; "Zero
Tolerance" Strategies; "Driving While Black"
READ:
Recommended: In-class participation
exercise: Private Hell 36 (1956) |
|
10/21
real date: 11/4 |
TOPICS: Courts; Specialized Courts; Drug Courts; Community Prosecution;
the U. S. Attorney as a leader of a problem solving group (SACSI);
questions about bail READ:
RECOMMENDED: Groff, L. (2001) Strategic approaches to community safety initiative. Washington: National Institute of Justice. ONLINE: http://www.rbtaylor.net/50_read_sacsi.pdf |
|
10/28
read date: |
TOPICS: Prosecutorial discretion; plea bargaining; rights to counsel
READ:
GUEST SPEAKER MONDAY 11/11: Mr. Michael Davis. State Drug Law Enforcement Procedures. EARN EXTRA CREDIT BY WRITING REACTION PAPER GUEST LECTURE 11/13 AND 11/15: Mr. William Love. Topic: Court Procedures |
|
11/4
real date: 11/18 |
TOPICS: questions of jury representativeness; sentencing guidelines; goals
of sentencing; victims issues
READ:
|
|
11/11
real date: 11/25 |
TOPICS: Victims, Victim rights, Victim Impact Statements, Restitution and
Compensation, Mediation
READ:
RECOMMENDED: Look at the Victims Bill of Rights in each state http://www.ncvc.org/law/issues/bills/bills_frames.htm TEST 3 LIKELY TO BE 11/27 |
| 11/18 |
TOPIC: Jails and Prisons
READ:
In class participation exercise: "Brute Force" (1947) |
| 11/25 |
TOPICS: Probation and parole
READ:
http://www.rbtaylor.net/50_read_paroleincalif.html In class participation exercise: "Brute Force" (1947) |
| 12/2 |
TOPIC: Returning offenders; offender re-entry; community justice;
restorative justice models
READ: J. Travis (2001). Prisoner reentry seen through a community lens. Washington, DC: Urban Institute. ONLINE: http://www.rbtaylor.net/50_read_reentry_travisspeech.pdf RECOMMENDED: Lynch, J., and Sabol, W. (2001). Prisoner entry in perspective. Washington, D.C.: Urban Institute. BIG. ONLINE: http://www.rbtaylor.net/50_read_reentry_lynchsabol.pdf |
| 12/9 |
TOPICS: White collar crime, environmental crimes,
READ: CJBE Ch. 3 (sophisticated crimes) WED. DEC. 11 is last day of class |
| 12/16 | FRIDAY 12/20, 11:00 AM TO 1:00 PM IS OUR SCHEDULED FINAL EXAM TIME. TEST 4 WILL TAKE PLACE DURING THIS PERIOD. IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE AN END OF SEMESTER ASSESSMENT. SO YOU NEED TO PLAN TO BE THERE |