Criminal Justice/Sociology 326A: Comparative Corrections

Fall 2008

MWF 9:40 a.m.-10:40 a.m.(Block 2)-Trout 207

Diane V. BroganOffice: Trout 205

Phone: 375-2472 (office)Office Hours:

992-5886 (home)MWF 10:50 a.m. – noon and by appt.

Email:

Course Description

This course is designed to provide an exploration of philosophies, rationales and models of adult corrections by utilizing an overview of the correctional systems of both the United States and other select countries. This comparative approach allows a broader and more meaningful examination of the current state and future direction of correctional models. In addition, it allows students to place correctional philosophies and practices in their historical and cultural context and to critically evaluate the economic, political and social influences that drive the direction of corrections and shape the dimensions of social control. Specific attention is given to the various origins, forms and functions of punishment over time and place.

The course begins with a critique and examination of correctional policy and practice within the United States as a frame of reference. Subsequently, the course incorporates independent research by students regarding correctional systems of selected countries as compared to the United States.

Finally, the course presents critical issues facing correctional systems and introduces students to the principles of restorative justice and their application.

Course Objectives

Students who satisfactorily complete this course should be able to

  • describe an overview of correctional philosophies and models in selected nations given a cross-cultural perspective
  • demonstrate knowledge of intermediate sanctions, probation, parole and alternative correctional processes and to critically evaluate their efficacy
  • identify and explain the problems facing correctional systems and generate possible solutions
  • identify and evaluate the implications of cross-national practices for the United States
  • articulate and critique the application of restorative justice principles

Required Reading

Braswell, Michael, John Fuller and Bo Lozoff. 2001. Corrections, Peacemaking and Restorative Justice: Transforming Individuals and Institutions. Cincinnati: Anderson Publishing.

Miethe, Terance D. and Hong Lu. 2005. Punishment: A Comparative Historical Perspective. Cambridge University Press.

Quinn, James F. 2003. Corrections: A Concise Introduction, 2nd Edition. Long Grove, Illinois: Waveland Press.

Course Format and Policies

Class meetings will consist primarily of lecture and class discussion. Lectures will include material from the text as well as new, related information. All students are expected to participate in class discussions and exercises in order to more fully examine and apply course material. Guest speakers are planned for the same purpose. Students are required to do the assigned reading for each class prior to attending that class.

Regular class attendance is expected of all students, therefore, attendance will be taken and recorded. Each student is allowed two absences for whatever reason—illness, sporting event, lack of interest in class that day, etc. Each student is responsible for deciding between difficult choices of whether to attend class versus some other pressing event. Students are advised not to buy airline tickets or make other commitments with the intent of negotiating with the instructor. Since attendance is viewed as a critical component of the student’s responsibility in this course, each absence after two will result in a loss of 5 points from the final exam grade.

Make-up examinations will only be given for the most extenuating circumstances (such as continuing coma) which involve a written medical excuse, a letter from the registrar or other written documentation. Again, students are advised not to buy airline tickets or make other commitments with the hope that a make-up or early exam will be given. Exams will not be scheduled for your individual convenience.

Students are kindly requested to submit all papers in this course printed on both sides of the paper=reduce, reuse, recycle!

Evaluation Criteria and Grading System

Examinations:

Three examinations will be administered during the course. Each will be worth 100 points. Exams 1 and 2 will each constitute 20% of the final course grade and Exam 3 (final) will constitute 25% of the final course grade,

Final Paper

Each student will be assigned the responsibility of researching the correctional system of a specific country, of preparing a written paperconcerning that research and presenting their work to the class. This assignment is worth 100 points and constitutes 25% of the final course grade. The paper must be fully documented per ASA guidelines and must be submitted to Safe Assignment by the due date (which will be assigned after class begins based on enrollment).

The paper must include the following:

  • a brief description of the demographics of your country as well as an overview of its social, cultural, political and economic orientation
  • a brief history of corrections in your country
  • the current philosophical basis of corrections
  • status of non-institutional corrections
  • public attitudes toward offenders and corrections
  • characteristics of those offenders who receive different dispositions (probation, parole, incarceration) including a brief breakdown of crime rates
  • prison populations, philosophy and programs
  • pressing issues for the system
  • implications for application of practices/ideas in the U.S. which includes comparing and contrasting the U.S. system with that of your country
  • other issues of your choosing/interest----legal rights afforded sentenced offenders, death penalty issues, influence of religion in the design/practice of corrections, programs of rehabilitation—just to name a very few options

Since resources for comparative corrections are less numerous than we would like, students are advised to start searching immediately for a country and to determine whether sufficient information is available. A session in the library is scheduled for our third class meeting in order to receive guidance from library staff in this limited area. The following two resources have been placed on reserve in the library for this course:

Winterdyk, John A. 2004. Adult Corrections: International Systems and Perspectives. Monsey, New York: Criminal Justice Press.

Zvekic, Ugljesa. 1994. Alternatives to Imprisonment in Comparative Perspective. Chicago: Nelson-Hall.

Student Led Discussion of Text Material and Class Participation

Each student will be assigned specific text material for review and class discussion. The student is expected to take leadership in summarizing the material, identifying key concepts and leading meaningful class discussion on the critical analysis and application of the material. Students who are not presenting are expected to participate in class discussion by adding to and applying the text information. This course component is worth 100 points and will constitute 10% of the final grade. Assignments will be made early in the class based on enrollment.

Grading Scale:

100 to 90 = A(91 to 90 = A-)

89 to 80 = B(89 to 88 = B+) (81 to 80 = B-)

79 to 70 = C(79 to 78 = C+) (71 to 70 = C-)

69 to 60 = D(69 to 68 = D+) (61 to 60 = D-)

below 60 = F

Academic Integrity

All students are expected to be familiar with and adhere to all of the policies outlined in Academic Integrity at Roanoke College. All necessary steps will be taken to enforce these policies in an effort to guarantee fairness for all students and to uphold the values embodied by this honor system. Any exceptions with regard to specific written or oral assignments will be discussed in class. Students should be diligent in their efforts to document sources used in all researched projects. Resources defining plagiarism are available and any students with questions should see the instructor. ALL PAPERS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED TO SAFE ASSIGNMENT BY THE DATE AND CLASS PERIOD THEY ARE DUE.

No active beepers, cell phones or other electronic devices are allowed during class meetings. Even the appearance of impropriety must be avoided and will not be tolerated.

Special Accommodations

If you are on record with the College’s Special Services as having special academic or physical needs requiring accommodations, please meet with me during my regular office hours as soon as possible. We need to discuss your accommodations before they can be implemented. Also, please note that arrangements for extended time on exams and testing in a semi-private setting must be made by you with me at least one week before EVERY exam. TESTS IN THIS COURSE ARE DESIGNED TO BE TAKEN DURING THE LENGTH OF TIME ALLOTTED FOR THE CLASS PERIOD. NO ADDITIONAL TESTING TIME WILL BE GIVEN WITHOUT A SPECIFIC STATEMENT OF ACCOMMODATIONS AS DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION. If you believe you are eligible for accommodations but have not yet formally contacted Special Services, please call 375-2249 or drop by the Center for Learning and Teaching in Fintel Library.

Tentative Course Outline and Reading Assignments

(“Q” refers to chapters in Quinn, “M” refers to chapters in Miethe and “B” refers to sections of Braswell)

Date / Topic / Student’s Responsibility
8/27/08 (W) / Course Introduction- Purpose of & Problems with a Comparative Approach
8/29 (F) / Goals of Correctional Policy-The Punishment Response / Q1, M1
9/1 (M) / Research Focus-Info Session
CLASS MEETS IN LIBRARY 3RD FLOOR COMPUTER LAB
9/3 (W) / Video- Crime & Punishment in America
9/5 (F) / History of Punishment, Philosophies & Sanctions / Q2, M2
9/8 (M) / “ “ / “ “
9/10 (W) / “ “ / “ “
9/12 (F) / Corrections Programs
Approval Due for the Country of Your Choice for Your Paper / Q11
9/15 (M) / Probation-Practices & Challenges / Q4
9/17 (W) / “ “ / “ “
9/19 (F) / Intermediate Sanctions / Q5
9/22 (M) / “ “ / “ “
9/24 (W) / Post-Imprisonment Community Corrections / Q6
9/26 (F) / Exam 1
9/29 (M) / Prison Populations / Q7
10/1 (W) / Convict Society / Q8
10/3 (F) / Legal Rights / Q10
10/6 (M) / “ “ / “ “
10/8 (W) / Contemporary Punishments in Comparative Perspective / M3, M4 (pages106-109)
10/10 (F) / “ “ / “ “
10/13 (M) / NO CLASSES-FALL BREAK
10/15 (W) / NO CLASSES-FALL BREAK
10/17 (F) / NO CLASSES-FALL BREAK
10/20 (M) / History of Punishment in China / M5
10/22 (W) / “ “ / “ “
10/24 (F) / History of Punishment Under Islamic Law / M6
10/27 (M) / “ “ / “ “
10/29 (W) / Exam 2
10/31 (F) / Issues in the Sociology of Punishments / M7
11/3 (M) / “ “ / “ “
11/5 (W) / Introduction to Corrections & Restorative Justice / B1, B3
11/7 (F) / Transforming Institutions, Prison Stories / B5,B7
11/10 (M) / Video-Beyond Conviction
11/12 (W) / Toward Restorative and Community Justice / B8
11/14 (F) / Student Research of Select Countries
Presenter’s Paper Due
11/17 (M) / “ “
11/19 (W) / “ “
11/21 (F) / “ “
11/24 (M) / “ “
11/26 (W) / NO CLASSES-THANKSGIVING BREAK
11/28( F) / NO CLASSES-THANKSGIVING BREAK
Date / Topic / Student’s Responsibility
12/1 (M) / Compare and Contrast Systems Presented by Students
12/3 (W) / Future of Corrections / Q14
12/5 (F) / “ / “ “
12/10 (W) / Exam 3-Final Exam-8:30-11:30 a.m.

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