Course Content & Weekly Learning Modules
Students are expected to engage in the material presented in the course. Below is the outline for how the course content will be covered and addressed. Each of the following weeks corresponds to topics we will plan to cover during the semester. These are influential events, perioods of time, and happenings in both historical and contemporary times. These events have served to shape our society and how we as individuals view the world around us and how we form our understanding of justice and injustice. In some instances great outcomes have resulted and in others horrible human suffering and tragedy have been heavy prices to pay for lessons learned. Throughout each discussion we will address the role of individuals, the the impact on society these events have had, the role of society to address issues, and the notion of justice, or in many instances injustice, that are associated with these events and periods of time. This is a survey course in that we will be tackling quite a few topics covering turning points in history. I will also bring you a few topics that are contemporarty concerns in society impacting us today.
Beginning of the Semester:
I will provide you with associated supplemental reading material for each of the following topics. For each of these subject areas I will provide a folder/file of content on the course webpage in the Resources tab on Regienet with all sorts of corresponding reading material and supplements. We will cover each of these topics, time permitting this semester. I often set out a more ambitious plan than we actually have time for so please anticipate some adjustments to the schedule below. I am a firm believer in providing the opportunity for depth of the material and am less concerned with squeezing everything in. Please come prepared with some background understanding of the topic so that the class lecture is rooted in context for you.
Please be aware - the outline below is often fluid and I often do not get to cover every topic that I would like to cover so, it is likely we will stray from this blueprint a bit - I will do my best to keep you posted as we work our way through the material. As noted above, I prefer to cover topics in depth as the class allows and is interested. I prefer quality over quantity.
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Please notice that sections of material cross-over weeks and there are folders in our course organized by topic. I will be adding information to these folders and this is where you will find the associated powerpoint slides.
WEEK #1
Introduction and course overview: a discussion of what we will be doing this semester and what I want you to learn and experience in this course. I will share some of my background with you so that you know a bit about the experiences that have shaped my views on the topics we will be discussing.
What is Justice?
We will discuss several different perspectives on justice and how we determine what is "just". We will include ideas of injustice. This is a foundational lecture establishing our current understanding of justice by addressing some of the influential thinkers from the past and their contributions to the idea of justice.
Readings: *See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
Assignments: Make sure you are familiar with the syllabus, the course layout in Reggienet, where the supplemental readings are located, and what book is required.
Discussion board post # 1 - see the Forums tab in Reggienet - post by this Sunday night at 11:55
Start reading the Bales book: ch. 1
WEEK #2
What is Justice? - contd'
*See folder in the Resources tab for additional supplemental readings
Assignment: Discussion board post # 2 - see the Forums tab in Reggienet - post by Sunday night at 11:55
Read Bales book ch 2
WEEK #3 (Labor Day is Monday)
What is Justice? - contd'
Civic Engagement: what is it and why is it important? Where has it been and where is it headed?
Intro to Poverty, Economics, Social Structure and Social Stratification
*See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
Assignment: Discussion board post # 3 - see the Forums tab in Reggienet - post by Sunday night at 11:55
Bales book: ch. 3
WEEK #4
Poverty, Economics, Social Structure and Social Stratification - contd'
*See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
WEEK #5
Poverty, Economics, Social Structure and Social Stratification - contd'
Intro to Eugenics
*See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
Assignment: Discussion board post # 4 - see the Forums tab in Reggienet - post by Sunday night at 11:55
Read Bales book: ch. 4
WEEK #6
Wrap-up of remaining material: Exam #1 covering lecture material & videos, etc. from weeks 1 - 5, and first 2 chapters of Bales book.*See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
WEEK #7
Eugenics contd' (yes, we had to split the material which I don't like to do but the way the calendar works it was necessary)
*See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
Assignment: Discussion board post # 5 - see the Forums tab in Reggienet - post by Sunday night at 11:55
Read Bales book: ch. 5
WEEK #8
Intro to Genocide
*See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
Assignment:
Bales book: ch. 6
WEEK #9
Genocide contd'
*See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
Take Quiz #1 - over ch. 1, 2, 3 of the Bales book and a few questions on class lecture material
Assignment: Discussion board post # 6 - see the Forums tab in Reggienet - post by Sunday night at 11:55
Read Bales book: ch. 7
WEEK #10
Intro to Crime and Justice and Criminology
*See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
Assignment: Discussion board post # 7 - see the Forums tab in Reggienet - post by Sunday night at 11:55
WEEK #11
continue Criminal Justice, Drugs and Incarceration - legalize, criminalize, decriminalize and victimless crimes
*See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
Read Bales book: ch. 8
WEEK #12 - should be finishing the Bales book soon.
Wrap-up of remaining material: Exam #2 on all assigned readings, lecture material, etc. from weeks 7-11.Incarceration and the impacts of mass incarceration and reentry
*See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
Assignment: Discussion board post # 8 - see the Forums tab in Reggienet - post by Sunday night at 11:55
Bales book: ch. 9
WEEK #13
Drugs and Incarceration to Reentry
Incarceration and the impacts of mass incarceration and reentry
Disease Transmission and Epidemiology
*See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
Assignment: Discussion board post # 9 - see the Forums tab in Reggienet - post by Sunday night at 11:55
WEEK #14
THANKSGIVING - no class
WEEK #15
Wrap-up CJ related material and intro Sex Slavery / Human Trafficking
*See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
Assignment: Discussion board post # 10 - see the Forums tab in Reggienet - post by Sunday night at 11:55
Read Bales book: Ch 10
WEEK #16
Sex slavery and Human Trafficking
Take Quiz 2 over course material and ch. 4,5,6, of Bales book.
*See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
Assignment: Discussion board post # 11 - see the Forums tab in Reggienet - post by Sunday night at 11:55
WEEK #17
Exam #3 - Final Exam is scheduled by ISU. I will update in an announcement when I know the date.
On all assigned readings, lecture material, etc. from weeks 13-16, and Bales book*See folder in the Resources tab for additional readings
Final Exam is during finals week at the regularly scheduled time:
Accomodations:
Any student needing to arrange a reasonable accommodation for a documented disability and/or medical/mental health condition should contact Student Access and Accommodation Services at 350 Fell Hall, (309) 438-5853,
Mental Health
Life at college can get complicated. If you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed, lost, anxious, depressed or are struggling with personal issues, do not hesitate to call or visit Student Counseling Services (SCS). These services are free and completely confidential. SCS is located at 320 Student Services Building, (309) 438-3655.
If you are worried about a friend and don't know how to help, you can call SCS and ask to speak to a counselor. The Kognito simulation, available through SCS's webpage, can also help you learn how to assist your friend in connecting to services.
Disclaimer: The information on this syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor and it is the student's responsibility to keep up with all changes as they are announced.
Cheating, plagiarism, academic dishonesty, etc. will not be tolerated and can result in a failing grade for the class and further proceedings initiated by the University including expulsion.