Discussion Questions:

Note: In order to answer these discussion questions, you will need to view "Requiem for Frank Lee Smith." Incorporate the assigned readings for this week in your answers.




1. From The Derrick Bell Reader , "... why is society relatively willing to grant small civil rights concessions to blacks and other minorities from time to time, but so reluctant to recognize economic rights (such as the right to food) that would benefit all the poor without regard to color? [D&S, p. 369]
2. How does race/class relate to the documentary, "Requiem for Frank Lee Smith"? Why.
3. What correctional policies can be created from the principles of restorative justice (based on indigenous justice principles)? Are these values more compatible with some offenses than others? More appropriate for some types of offenders than others? What would Fellman say about this issue? Why. [from Walker, p. 369]
4. Do you think prison gang formation is influenced most by external forces and the gang affiliations offenders bring to prison from the streets or by the internal forces of the prison environment, such as racial composition? What arguments can you offer to support your position? [from Walker, p. 369]

Suggested Visual Projects/Creative Measures:

Note: Start thinking about ideas for your visual projects/creative measures. Must relate to "race, crime, law." 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). You are expected to turn in a bibliography with each visual project. No term papers! Allow time to dialogue and present your creative measure in class. Email me your ideas ASAP.

• Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. An excellent resource for juvenile justice related issues.
  
• National Criminal Justice Resource Service. Administered by the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
  
  

• Make A Box a Week focusing on this week's topic, "Race & Corrections."
• Compare and contrast minorities in prison to minorities in jail. What are the similarities and differences between these two correctional populations? Why.
  
• Explore:
  -- prisoner rights and race/ethnicity.
  -- race/ethnicity and prison gangs.
  -- rehabilitation and recidivism by race
  -- alternatives to incarceration by race
  -- community supervision in racial/ethnic communities
  
  
  
• Examine Race, Ethnicity, and the Criminal Justice System published by the American Sociological Association (September 2007).
• Research the Dalai Lama -- his past and present.
• Research "forgiveness". Begin with these books: Martha Minow, Between Vengeance and Forgiveness. Desmond Tutu, No Future Without Forgiveness.

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). What small item did you create to "give away" to those visiting your visual project?
2. Explain in depth, how your visual project specifically relates to "race, crime, law" (i.e., the readings, the documentaries, class discussions, major concepts). Demonstrate the interrelationship between "theory, policy, practice" in your visual project. 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) ___ ? Explain why this particular grade.
   

   Recommended Readings:

   
   
   • Paul Wice. Rubin "Hurricane" Carter and the American Justice System.
   • Marc Mauer . Americans Behind Bars: A Comparison of International Rates of Incarceration.
   • William Wilbanks. The Myth of a Racist Criminal Justice System.
   • Marc Mauer. Race to Incarcerate.
   • Marc Mauer. Young Black Men and the Criminal Justice System: A Growing National Problem.
   • Michael Tonry. Malign Neglect: Race, Crime, and Punishment in America.
   • Jerome Miller. Search and Destroy: African-American Males in the Criminal Justice System.
   • Joan Petersilia. Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System.
   • Kenneth Culp Davis. Discretionary Justice.
     
     
   • The Dalai Lama. The Universe in a Single Atom: The Convergence of Science and Spirituality.
   • The Dalai Lama. Ethics for the New Millennium.
   • The Dalai Lama. An Open Heart.
   • The Dalai Lama. Live in a Better Way.
   • Paul Loeb. The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear. [if you have not read this for another course]
   • Paulo Freire. Pedagogy of the Oppressed.
   • Alfie Kohn. No Contest. The Case Against Competition.
   • Thomas Kuhn. Structure of Scientific Revolutions.
     
     
   • Desmond Tutu. No Future Without Forgiveness.
   • Jurgen Habermas. Between Facts and Norms.
     
   • Martha Minow. Making All the Difference: Exclusion, Inclusion and American Law. Check out this link Martha Minow on the Dear Habermas site.
     
     
     
     

   Course Syllabus for CRMJ/SOCA 365 "Race, Crime, Law"

   
   
   
   
   takata@uwp.edu
   
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