SOC 325 Criminal Justice & Public Policy Fall 2024 PDF

**SOC 325 -- Fall 2024** **CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC POLICY** **CUNY Hunter College, Sociology Department** **Mon/Thurs 11:30am-12:45pm, Roosevelt House 204** **Professor:** Jackelyn Mariano, Esq. (she/her) **Email:** jmmarian\@hunter.cuny.edu **Mode of Instruction:** In-Person **Office Hou...

**SOC 325 -- Fall 2024** **CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC POLICY** **CUNY Hunter College, Sociology Department** **Mon/Thurs 11:30am-12:45pm, Roosevelt House 204** **Professor:** Jackelyn Mariano, Esq. (she/her) **Email:** jmmarian\@hunter.cuny.edu **Mode of Instruction:** In-Person **Office Hours:** Mondays & Thursdays 1:30-2:30pm in the Faculty Center, Hunter Library 5^th^ Floor, or by appointment. Please schedule and confirm appointments via e-mail. **[COURSE DESCRIPTION & OBJECTIVES]** This course is an introductory survey to the field of criminal justice and public policy. We will explore the topic through an interdisciplinary lens, including sociological, psychological, legal, economic, and political frameworks. This course will focus on New York City\'s criminal justice/legal system. Students will learn about the intricacies of the criminal legal process, and how race, class, and gender impact the process and outcomes. Students will apply that understanding to social movements and public policy priorities responding to and demanding reform to the system. The course is organized around close readings of the assigned textbook and supplemental texts. Along with our key texts, we will also screen films and documentaries, and examine current events and cultural works that complement the questions that structure each week's discussion. **Objectives:** 1. Students will be able to apply concepts in sociology such as power, culture, the sociological imagination, social change, socialization, stratification, social structure, and social institutions and the theoretical perspectives used to understand them in the context of crime, criminology, criminal justice, and social movements. 2. Students will be able to identify and analyze the influence of social structure on individuals and groups especially by race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, class, and economic inequality, and the effects of individual thought and behavior on society. 3. Students will be able to identify, analyze, and critique sociological arguments about the criminal justice/legal system in research papers and monographs and be able to discuss their primary claims, strengths, and weaknesses. 4. Students will be able to identify, analyze, and critique major sociological theories in criminal justice; compare and contrast the underlying assumptions of those theories; and apply those theories to racial justice, social justice, and the current criminal justice/legal system. 5. Students will be able to construct a sociological argument about the criminal justice/legal system orally and in writing. **[REQUIRED MATERIALS]** All required readings will be posted on Blackboard or links to the readings provided on the syllabus. The readings draw on law, public policies, historical materials, legal and academic scholarship, social science research, and advocacy documents. **[COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND GRADING]** - 20% - Class Participation & Weekly Reflections - 30% - Midterm Exam - 20% - Group Presentation - 30% - Final Exam **Class Participation & Weekly Reflections (20%)** Students are expected to attend class regularly and to actively participate in class discussions. This includes attendance as well as frequency and quality of commentary. I do not have an attendance requirement for my class, however, a significant amount of absences may negatively impact your participation grade. All points of view are welcome as long as they are not deliberately discriminatory, oppressive, or insensitive. I do not expect students to be polished, articulate, or have the right answers all the time. However, I do expect students to demonstrate a genuine and critical engagement with class content and discussion. My class is a space for students to practice expressing their own opinions to their colleagues in an academic setting, and I expect students to take advantage of that opportunity. Frequently, I will "cold call" students, or randomly select students to answer questions I pose in class. This replicates methods of learning in legal studies and law school, creating conditions for students to think on their feet and apply learning concepts to class discussion. In order to meaningfully participate in class discussions, students MUST read all assignments closely, critically, and IN FULL before class. I expect students to take note of thoughts and questions as they read assignments and share these in class discussion. We will be discussing complex, disturbing, violent, and sensitive topics that affect each individual in varied ways. I ask that students default to compassion and understanding for each other, for the authors whose works we will engage with, for the communities represented in the texts, and for their own selves throughout the learning process. *Weekly Reflections:* Due every **FRIDAY** by 11:59pm. Students shall post weekly reflections on Blackboard, the purpose of which is to extend the practice of critical and textual analysis beyond class discussion. The reflections must touch upon subjects from the previous classes that week. It may include: a summary, in your own words, of the class discussion; your opinions about the class reading; and related topics that were not discussed in class that you think will enhance the class's understanding of criminal justice and public policy. Reflections must be *at least one full paragraph in length*. You must cite/link to materials you reference that are not included in official course materials. Posting of relevant articles, books, videos, and other multimedia resources is highly encouraged and welcomed. Reflections shall be posted by each student on Blackboard, within the corresponding dated folder under the "Weekly Reflections" tab. I will accept late posts, however points will be deducted from each assignment for every day it is late. If another major writing assignment is due or there is an exam that week, the weekly reflection assignment for that week will be waived. Please pay attention to the assignment schedule and mind what is due when. **Midterm Exam (30%)** **Due: Friday, October 18, 11:59pm via Blackboard** The Midterm Exam is a take home exam that will consist of short answer questions that test students' ability to apply criminal justice and public policy concepts. **Group Presentations (20%)** **Group presentations will be scheduled on December 2, 5, 9, and 12.** The class will be divided into small groups who will work together to present in front of the class for 15 minutes on a particular criminal case. A rubric will be reviewed with the class to ensure unity in expectations. Creativity and nontraditional format -- such as skit, film/video, panel, interactive workshop, or PowerPoint -- are highly encouraged. Presentations will be followed by a 5- to 10-minute Q&A session during which the rest of class may earn participation points. **Final Exam** **(30%)** **Due: Thursday, December 19, 11:59pm via Blackboard** The Final Exam is a take home exam that will consist of short answer questions that test students' ability to apply criminal justice and public policy concepts. **[EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES]** Extra participation credit may be obtained by consistently engaging with and responding to fellow classmates' weekly reflections on Blackboard and creating respectful and meaningful discussion. Occasionally there are conferences, presentations, panels and other events that will help in understanding the broader context of criminology. These events might be offered virtually, or at Hunter College, off campus at another school, or in the community. Throughout the semester I will announce these opportunities and will award extra credit to students who voluntarily partake in them. To prove that you attended such an event, you must submit a 1-page reflection piece to the professor via email about what you encountered and learned at the event. If you hear of an event that may be of interest to the class, please share the opportunity with your classmates and inform the professor. Students who cannot participate in any extra credit opportunities due to work or family obligations or academic scheduling may write a 3-page research paper on a topic of their choosing. Pre-approval is required. **Overall, if you feel that you are struggling to keep up with my class, you should schedule an appointment with me to discuss options for improvement. I am willing to collaborate with you to achieve success in my class. However, I cannot read your minds. Do not wait until finals week when it may be too late to catch up. I will not allow students to take an Incomplete (INC) for my class. Do not make me chase after you for assignments. Please respect my time and take initiative to communicate with me.** **[ACADEMIC POLICIES]** *On Academic Integrity* Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedures. *On Accessibility* In compliance with the American Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) and with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Hunter College is committed to ensuring educational parity and accommodations for all students with documented disabilities and/or medical conditions. It is recommended that all students with documented disabilities (Emotional, Medical, Physical and/or Learning) consult the Office of Accessibility located in Room 1124 East to secure necessary academic accommodations. For further information and assistance please call (212-772-4857) /TTY (212-650-3230). *On Sexual Misconduct* In compliance with the CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct, Hunter College reaffirms the prohibition of any sexual misconduct, which includes sexual violence, sexual harassment, and gender-based harassment retaliation against students, employees, or visitors, as well as certain intimate relationships. Students who have experienced any form of sexual violence on or off campus (including CUNY-sponsored trips and events) are entitled to the rights outlined in the Bill of Rights for Hunter College. 1. Sexual Violence: Students are strongly encouraged to immediately report the incident by calling 911, contacting NYPD Special Victims Division Hotline (646-610-7272) or their local police precinct, or contacting the College\'s Public Safety Office (212-772-4444). 2. All Other Forms of Sexual Misconduct: Students are also encouraged to contact the College\'s Title IX Campus Coordinator, Dean John Rose (jtrose\@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-650-3262) or Colleen Barry (colleen.barry\@hunter.cuny.edu or 212-772-4534) and seek complimentary services through the Counseling and Wellness Services Office, Hunter East 1123. CUNY Policy on Sexual Misconduct Link: [[http://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/la/Policy-on-Sexual-Misconduct-12-1-14-with-links.pdf]](http://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/la/Policy-on-Sexual-Misconduct-12-1-14-with-links.pdf) **[WELLNESS AT HUNTER]** Many students encounter distress during their college experience. Hunter College provides individual counseling and support for students at their Counseling and Wellness Services Department on campus. As a student, you are entitled to walk-in at any time and schedule an appointment. They are located in Hunter East \#1123. You can email them at [[personalcounseling\@hunter.cuny.edu]](mailto:[email protected]), or call them at 212-772-4931 or visit [[http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/cws/counselingservices/welcome]](http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/cws/counselingservices/welcome) for more information.  The Hunter College AANAPISI Project (HCAP) also hosts events at Hunter focused on AAPI Mental Health. For more information about these events, contact Dr. Marcia Liu, HCAP's Mental Health Specialist, at [[ML2138\@hunter.cuny.edu]](mailto:[email protected]), or visit [[https://huntercap.org]](https://huntercap.org).   **[ASSIGNMENT/READING SCHEDULE]** All reading assignments are subject to change. Please check announcements and updated syllabus on Blackboard on a regular basis. **Week 1-2 \| Crime and Criminology** Thurs, Aug 29 - Introduction - Review of Syllabus - Meet and Greet Mon, Sep 2 - NO CLASS Thurs, Sep 5 - Larry J. Siegel. *Criminology Theories, Patterns and Typologies*. 13th Edition. Chapter 1 - Crime and Criminology. Fri, Sep 6 - *DUE: Weekly Reflection on Blackboard* **Week 3 \|The Criminal Justice System** Mon, Sep 9 - New York Criminal Justice System Handbook. Access here: - New York City Bar Report: "Repeal the Cap and Do the Math: Why We Need a Modern, Flexible, Evidence-Based Method of Assessing New York's Judicial Needs*."* Access Here: Thurs, Sep 12 - **No in-person class so that you may complete an out of class assignment.** During this class time, or another time this week, observe morning arraignments at 100 Centre Street. Take notes. **Write a 5-paragraph reflection this week about what you observe.** Fri, Sep 13 - *DUE: Weekly Reflection on Blackboard* **Week 4 \| Criminal Law, Constitutional Amendments, & Legal Protections** Mon, Sep 16 \| Criminal Law/Penal Codes - Thoroughly Skim - US Code Title 18, Part I - Crimes. Access here: ​​[[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/part-I]](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/part-I) - Thoroughly Skim - Consolidated Laws of New York, Chapter 40 - Penal, Part 3 - Specific Offenses. Access here: [[https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/P3]](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/P3) Thurs, Sep 19 \| Constitutional Amendments - 1st Amendment: [[https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/]](https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-1/) - 4th Amendment: [[https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-4/]](https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-4/) - 5th Amendment: [[https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-5/]](https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-5/) - 6th Amendment: [[https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-6/]](https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-6/) - 8th Amendment: [[https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-8/]](https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-8/) - 14th Amendment, Section 1: [[https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/]](https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-14/) Fri, Sep 20 - *DUE: Weekly Reflection on Blackboard* **Week 5 \| Criminal Law, Constitutional Amendments, & Legal Protections (cont'd)** Mon, Sep 23 \| Legal Protections - Sam McCann. "Everything You Need to Know About Consent Decrees: Understanding Federal Oversight of the Criminal Legal System." Vera Institute. August 30, 2023. Access here: [[https://www.vera.org/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-consent-decrees]](https://www.vera.org/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-consent-decrees) - New York Civil Liberties Union. "An Historic Police Accountability Case Turns 50." May 14, 2021. Access here: - Office of the Mayor. Press Release: "Mayor Adams Announces Appointment of Muhammad Faridi as Civilian Appointee for Handschu Committee." February 21, 2023. Access here: [[https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/125-23/mayor-adams-appointment-muhammad-faridi-civilian-appointee-handschu-committee\#/0]](https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/125-23/mayor-adams-appointment-muhammad-faridi-civilian-appointee-handschu-committee#/0) Thurs, Sep 26 -- MONDAY SCHEDULE - TBD Fri, Sep 27 - *DUE: Weekly Reflection on Blackboard* **Week 6 \| Criminal Procedure: Investigation and Arrests** Mon, Sep 30 \| Stop & Frisk - [Terry v. Ohio] 392 US 1 (1968). Summary and Excerpts. Access here: [[https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/392/1/\#top]](https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/392/1/#top) - NYPD Patrol Guide. Investigative Encounters: Requests for Information, Common Law Right of Inquiry and Level 3 Stops. Thu, Oct 3 - NO CLASS Fri, Oct 4 - *DUE: Weekly Reflection on Blackboard* **Week 7 \| Criminal Procedure: Detention (Pre-Trial)** Mon, Oct 7 \| Rikers Island - Jennifer Gonnerman. "Before the Law: A boy was accused of taking a backpack. The courts took the next three years of his life." The New Yorker. September 29, 2014. Access here: [[https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/10/06/before-the-law\#main-content]](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/10/06/before-the-law#main-content) or [[https://archive.ph/H0mTL\#selection-581.0-587.89]](https://archive.ph/H0mTL#selection-581.0-587.89) - Sahalie Donaldson. "A timeline on the closure of Rikers Island." City & State New York. July 29, 2024. Access here: Thu, Oct 10 \| Bail Reform - Gabriela Sanchez, Terry-Ann Craigie, Ames, Grawert. "Debunking Myths About Bail Reform and Crime." Brennan Center for Justice. August 15, 2024. Access here: [[https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/debunking-myths-about-bail-reform-and-crime]](https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/debunking-myths-about-bail-reform-and-crime) - Post Editorial Board. "The numbers prove it: Bail reform drove a 66% recidivism rate for repeat crooks." New York Post. March 5, 2024. Access here: [[https://nypost.com/2024/03/05/opinion/how-bail-reform-drove-a-66-recidivism-rate-for-repeat-crooks/]](https://nypost.com/2024/03/05/opinion/how-bail-reform-drove-a-66-recidivism-rate-for-repeat-crooks/) Fri, Oct 11 - *DUE: Weekly Reflection on Blackboard* **Week 8 \| Criminal Procedure: Trial and Sentencing; MIDTERM** Mon, Oct 14 - NO CLASS Tue, Oct 15 -- MONDAY SCHEDULE - TBD Thu, Oct 17 - TBD Fri, Oct 18 - *DUE: Midterm* **Week 9 \| Criminal Procedure: Post-Trial Relief** Mon, Oct 21 - TBD Thurs, Oct 24 - TBD Fri, Oct 25 - *DUE: Weekly Reflection on Blackboard* **Week 10 \| Criminal Procedure: Prison and Prisoners' Rights** Mon, Oct 28 - TBD Thurs, Oct 31 - TBD Fri, Nov 1 - *DUE: Weekly Reflection on Blackboard* **Week 11 \| Special Topics: Terrorism** Mon, Nov 4 - TBD Thurs, Nov 7 - TBD Fri, Nov 8 - *DUE: Weekly Reflection on Blackboard* **Week 12 \| Special Topics: Crimmigration** Tue, Nov 11 - TBD Thurs, Nov 14 - TBD Fri, Nov 15 - *DUE: Weekly Reflection on Blackboard* **Week 13 \| Special Topics: First Amendment Defense** Tue, Nov 18 - TBD Thurs, Nov 21 - TBD Fri, Nov 22 - *DUE: Weekly Reflection on Blackboard* **Week 14 \| Alternative Systems of Criminal Justice** Mon, Nov 25 - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. "Basic principles on the use of restorative justice programmes in criminal matters." Resolution 2002/12 and Annex. 37th plenary meeting, July 24, 2002. Access here: [[https://www.unodc.org/pdf/criminal\_justice/Basic\_Principles\_on\_the\_use\_of\_Restorative\_Justice\_Programs\_in\_Criminal\_Matters.pdf]](https://www.unodc.org/pdf/criminal_justice/Basic_Principles_on_the_use_of_Restorative_Justice_Programs_in_Criminal_Matters.pdf) - Brianna Borrelli. "The Interplay of Mass Incarceration and Poverty." Georgetown Journal on Poverty Law and Policy. Volume XXX, Number 2, Winter 2023. - American Civil Liberties Union. "The Biden Administration's Executive Order on Policing is a Foundation to Build Upon." June 1, 2022. Access here: [[https://www.aclu.org/news/criminal-law-reform/the-biden-administrations-executive-order-on-policing-is-a-foundation-to-build-upon]](https://www.aclu.org/news/criminal-law-reform/the-biden-administrations-executive-order-on-policing-is-a-foundation-to-build-upon) Thurs, Nov 28 - NO CLASS Fri, Nov 29 - *No Weekly Reflection Due* **Week 15 \| Group Presentations** Mon, Dec 2 - Group Presentations Thurs, Dec 5 - Group Presentations Fri, Dec 6 - *No Weekly Reflection Due* **Week 16 \| Group Presentations, Last Class** Mon, Dec 9 - Group Presentations Thurs, Dec 12 -- LAST CLASS - Group Presentations Fri, Dec 13 - *No Weekly Reflection Due* *FINAL TAKE HOME EXAM DUE: THUR, DECEMBER 19, 11:59pm via Blackboard.*