| SOC 329 Correctional Systems Dr. Ernie Thomson [email protected] 909-593-3511 x4476 Hoover 109 COURSE DESCRIPTION "The United States affords a glaring example of the limited impact that criminal justice responses may have on crime ....... if locking up those who violate the law contributed to safer societies, then the United States should be the safest country in the world." Excerpt from a 1993 Canadian government report on crime prevention. Since 1993 US prison populations have tripled. Like other social institutions, the use of prisons has emerged and changed at particular times and in particular sets of circumstances. Probably the best known work on prisons is French social theorist Michel Foucault's book Discipline and Punish, which describes the change in France from public torture/executions to imprisonment which occurred during the period of French industrialization. Foucault also points out the similarities in changes in several other institutions at the time, like schools, factories, mental institutions, and so on. In this class, we will look at the circumstances that led to the emergence and changes in prisons in the United States over its history. There will be a special focus on the recent "imprisonment binge" in the US and its causes and consequences. We will also examine how technological development historically generates large "surplus populations" and we will look at some ways that societies have dealt with this problem (from torture/executions to massive out-migration to prisons, mental institutions, and the welfare state, etc.). We will look closely at the social problems generated by these approaches, especially the dilemmas posed by prisons. We will also examine the origins and dimensions of the imprisonment binge in the US that began in the 1980's and continues to grow. In this part of the course we will look at the massive growth of prison populations, what this has done to prisons and prisoners, and some of the major implications of these policies. We will conclude by looking at the current debates over the US prison situation and consider whether there is a way out of the growing disaster posed by current policies and practices. ** Use of internet material will be a required part of the course ** Information from assigned internet sites will be covered on exams COURSE MATERIAL It's About Time: America's Imprisonment Binge (Austin & Irwin, 3rd edition) -- ULV Bookstore or online Internet assignments can be accessed through the class webpage linked at http://erniethomson.com EXAMS AND GRADING INFORMATION There will be three one-hour exams during the semester - each will count 1/4 of the overall course grade. The required term paper and attendance/participation will count for 1/4 of the overall course grade. Each exam covers material assigned/discussed since the previous exam (exams are not comprehensive). Exams include a combination of multiple choice, true/false, matching, fill in blanks, and short answer items. ** There are no "extra credit" projects for this class! OFFICE HOURS Office hours will be updated on my office door each semester. Appointments can be made for other times - email is the best way to make appointments. My email and office phone number are at the top of this page and on my homepage. If you need to contact me for any reason, please email me (preferred) or leave a phone message. I will get back to you as soon as possible (usually within 24 hours for email). Please do not hesitate to contact me for any reason and as often as needed. ATTENDANCE POLICY Regular attendance is crucial to your getting the most benefit from the class and to your course grade. You should plan to attend all class meetings, arrive on time, and stay for the whole meeeting. Excessive absences will result in lower exam scores and lower course grades |
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