SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITYSociology DepartmentSpring, 2008COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR BASIC INFORMATIONCourse: Sociology 158-02 – Prison CommunitySAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITYSociology Department Spring, 2008COURSE AND INSTRUCTOR BASIC INFORMATIONCourse: Sociology 158-02 – Prison CommunityInstructor: Stephen J. Morewitz, Ph.D.Classroom: DMH 348Day/Time: Mon., Wed., 9 – 10:15 AMOffice: BT 464Office Hours: Mon., 12-2 PM and by appointmentE-mail: [email protected]: (408) 924-5329Required Texts:Prisons Today and Tomorrow (2nd edition), 2006. By Joycelyn M. Pollock. Publisher: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. ISBN 13: 978-0-7637-2904-2Convict Criminology, 2003. By Jeffrey Ian Ross and Stephen C. Richards. Publisher: Thomson Wadsworth. ISBN: 0-534-57433-5Additional Resources:Students will receive powerpoint lectures and additional course material on my faculty website and will view films related to the prison community. Course Description: This course analyzes the formal and informal systems of organization and interaction among inmates and staff. The effects of the social structure and external system on the organization of the prison community are presented. The experience and identity of special prison populations are presented. Future trends in the prison community are discussed.Course Learning Objectives:- To comprehend and utilize theories and methods of criminology1- Grasp and provide examples of the relationship between inmates and staff from competing points of view- Understand and evaluate the formal and informal system of prison community- Identify and analyze the impact of the social structure and external system on the organization of the prison community- Understand the experience and identity of special populations- Analyze future trends in the prison communityGrades:The grades for this course will be based on: 1) Midterm Quiz, 2) Final Quiz, 3) Field Interview Project, 4) Research Proposal, and 5) Class Participation. A brief description of these activities and grading scale is listed below. 1) The Midterm Quiz (March 12) is multiple choice and true/false. It will be based on the readings, class lectures, and class discussions. 2) Final Quiz is multiple choice and true/false (See the SJSU final exam schedule for the time and day of the Final Quiz). It will be based on the readings, class lectures, and class discussions. 3) The Field Interview Project. Students will work in small groups to conduct a field interview with a staff member of a Bay-area prison-related organization (See SJSUSoc158prisonreformorganizationdirectory for a list of possible organizations). Thesefield interviews will analyze a topic of interest from one of the assigned readings. The summary paper will be 2 pages maximum + references and attachments. Findings will be presented in class, beginning on March 12th.4) Research Proposal. Students will work in small groups to prepare a research proposal related to a topic from the assigned readings. The paper will be 1 page maximum (+ references and attachments) and is due on April 21st.NOTE:A separate handout regarding the 3) Field Interview Project and 4) Research Proposal willbe provided. Each of these assignments is designed to help students meet all five learningobjectives for the course listed above. 25) Class Participation. Attendance is mandatory and is a pre-condition for class participation. Students are expected to read the assigned readings before each class and come to class prepared to discuss these readings. In order to help students to improve research and writing skills, there will be in class peer planning and editing sessions for these written assignments. The feedback you will receive on these papers is intended to help you to improve your performance on the next writing assignment. Participation in thepeer planning and editing exercises counts as part of your class participation grade. Grading Scale:Midterm Quiz 20% 92.1% - 98% = A 78% - 79.9% = C+ Final Exam Quiz: 25% 90 % - 92% =A- 72.1% - 77.9% = C Field Interview: 30% 88% - 89.9% = B+ 70% - 72% = C- Research Proposal 20% 82.1% – 87.9% = B 68% - 69.9% = D+ Class Partic 5% 80% - 82% = B- 62.1% - 67.9% = D 60% - 62% = D-Policies:1. Late Assignments: Assignments such as term papers will lose credit for every class meeting that they are late. These assignments must be turned in by hand during class.They must also be stapled! Papers over two weeks late will not be accepted unless a prior arrangement has been made with me. If you foresee a problem with meeting a deadline, you need to speak with me about it as soon as possible. Waiting until the last minute is not a good idea. Late exams need to be taken as soon as possible, and I need to be informed of your absence should it occur on an exam date. 2. Academic Honesty: Cheating on exams or written assignments is not allowed and willnot be tolerated. Most importantly, this includes plagiarism on the formal written assignments. Basically, plagiarism includes using words and ideas of others without giving proper credit, as well as the outright copying of others’ work. In cases of substantiated violations of the academic integrity policy (i.e., there is sufficient evidence that you have cheated on any assignment), you will automatically fail the course. Disability Accommodations:Any student with a pre-existing disability requiring accommodation (as documented by the Disability Resource Center) should make this need known to the instructor during the first two weeks of the course. Every effort will be made to accommodate your need. COURSE SCHEDULE3DATE TOPICS ASSIGNMENTSWeek 1Jan. 23rd- Introductions- Overview of course and syllabus- Clarification of course requirements- The rationale for imprisonment-Purchase textbooks. -Plan projects & select team members-Pollock (P), Chapt. 1Week 2Jan. 28, 30- What is the new school of convict criminology?- Convict criminology: The Two-legged data dilemma - Ross & Richards (R & R), Introduction- R & R, Chapt. 10Week 3Feb. 4, 6- The American prison in historical perspective - P, Chapt. 2Week 4Feb. 11, 13- Sentencing trends and incarceration- The use of science to