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California State University, Dominguez Hills
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Soka University Japan - Transcend Art and Peace
Created: July 27, 2003
Latest Update: February 15, 2008
jeannecurran@habermas.org
takata@uwp.edu

CRMJ 353: Criminal Justice/Social Justice

You will be held accountable for purposes of grading for the readings and exercises listed here. There will be no "testing." That means that you will not have to live in anxious anticipation of what we will ask and how much you will have to know. Instead, we will provide weekly discussion questions, lectures, essays, and concepts we feel that you should know as a result of having taken this course. You will assure us of that learning and receive your grade for the questions and concepts about which you choose to write and talk with us. In addition you will find detailed explanations and examples on our grading policies in the first week's reading.

* * * * *

Week 5: Week of February 17, 2008

To stay on track, 1) you should be well into your review of the scholarly literature for your pre-approved visual project topic(s). 2) This week, sign up for a midterm meeting. 3) Join the community building discussion group.

Topic: Truth Commissions/Flight of Our Dreams

Preparatory Readings:

• Paul Loeb. The Impossible Will Take a Little While. -- Chapters 13 through 21.
• Martha Minow. Between Vengeance and Forgiveness. - Chapter 4.
• Cornel West. Democracy Matters. ----
• Documentary: "---- " (to be shown in class)
  
  

Lecture related links:



• Join the Community Building discussion group.
  
• Paul Loeb's website
• W.I. Thomas "Definition of the Situation
  
  




Concepts to be covered:



• Nelson Mandela
• the African National Congress (ANC)
• truth commissions
• imagination
• creativity
• silenced/silencing



Discussion Questions:

Note: You will need to incorporate this week's text readings into your answers.

1. According to Minow, what is the role and function of a truth commission? Do you think truth commissions are effective? Why.

2. As we listen to others, how do we discern authentic communication vs. empty rhetoric? [from Loeb's website]

3. Can imagination save us? [from Loeb, p. 137]

4. Are the core myths of our society communal about joining together or individual, based on lone heroes? [from Loeb's website]

5. Is there a song in your own life experience that gives you hope in times of trial or despair? Explain. [from Loeb's website]

6. Identify a current situation of corruption,deceit, or oppression with which you are familiar. Brainstorm possible strategies of creative resistance. [from Loeb's website]



Suggested Creative Measures:




Note: Start thinking about ideas for your creative measures. Must relate to "criminal justice/social justice." Must be approved before starting your creative measure. Cannot be something that you are doing or have done for another course. Research cannot be 100% online (i.e., google, askjeeves). Must conduct library research using scholarly works, (not the popular press -- Time Magazine, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated). No term papers! Allow time to dialogue and present your creative measure in class. Email me your idea.



• Research the effectiveness of truth commissions.
• Identify a particular time of strife in American or world history. Research the role of music during that time. Find specific examples of song lyrics that offered hope for the oppressed, or inspired citizen movements to keep on acting. [from Loeb's website]
• Alexie talks about being "deadly serious and deadly funny at the same time." Explain how powerful activism can be both. [from Loeb's website]
• Since computers can be powerful political tools, . . . at what point do we need to shut them off and engage in face-to-face with our fellow human beings? Explore some examples/cases. [from Loeb's website]



Recommended Readings:



• Robert Bly (ed). Neruda and Vallejo .
• Susan Griffin. The Book of Courtesans.
• John Lewis. Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement.
• Toni Mirosevich. The Rooms We Make Our Own.
• Walter Wink. Jesus and Nonviolence: The Third Way.
• Sherman Alexie. The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven.
• Tony Kushner. Angels in America.
• Tony Kushner. Save Your Democratic Citizen Soul.
  
  
• Martha Minow. Breaking Cycles of Hatred: Memory, Law and Repair.
• Desmond Tutu. No Future Without Forgiveness.
• MoveOn.org. Move On's 50 Ways to Love Your Country.
  
  

Self-Assessment Questions for each Visual Project:




1. List the names of the individuals in your group. What did you do exactly for this visual project? (If in a group, explain the division of labor and your individual contribution to this visual project).
2. Briefly explain how your visual project relates to "criminal justice/social justice" (i.e., the readings, the documentaries). What did you learn?
3. Assess how the 6Cs apply to your visual project, with special attention on competence and creativity. What is your visual project self-assessment (provide a letter grade) ___ ? Why.

Course Syllabus for CRMJ 353 Criminal Justice/Social Justice

takata@uwp.edu