SOCY 3503 Sociology of Law
Professor Alex Vitale
Fall 2010
[email protected]
Monday and Wednesday: 3:40 -4:55Office: 3101 JamesOffice Hours: M- Th 2:00-3:00 PM & by Apt.Objectives· To differentiate between legal, ethical, and sociological approaches to the legal system.
· To identify sociology of law concepts in the readings and apply them to contemporary events.
· To read newspaper articles and professional social science articles effectively.
· To communicate ideas effectively in class and in writing.
· To learn the methods of writing a sociological research paper.
Books (Pay close attention to editions and publication dates. Do not get the wrong edition.)· Vago, Steven. 2006. Law and Society. Upper Saddle River, NJ.: Prentice Hall. 8th ed. (not the latest edition)
· Walker, Samuel, Cassia Spohn, and Miriam DeLeon. 2006. The Color of Justice: Race Ethnicity, and Crime in America. Wadsworth. 4th ed.
Requirements
· Class Participation 15%: Students are expected to be in class on time and well prepared. This means reading the assignment, reviewing the web blog, and participating in classroom discussions. You should be prepared to be called upon to answer questions at any time.
· Midterm Paper 30%: This will be a 4-5 page paper that uses materials from class to analyze a recent news event related to the role of race and ethnicity in the legal/criminal justice system. A detailed assignment sheet will be given out in class.
· Web Postings 20%: There is a web page for this class at http://soclaw.wordpress.com/. You are required to post a recent news story related to the topic being covered in class at least 4 times in the first half of class and 4 times in the second half of class. Details on how to post will be provided in class.
· Final Paper 35%: This will be a 10 page research paper. Students must investigate some aspect of the role of race in the legal/criminal justice system that they find interesting and integrate concepts developed during the class into the paper. In advance of the final paper, a paper topic and bibliography must be submitted. A detailed assignment sheet will be given out in class.
Ground Rules· If you miss class, contact the instructor by email before the next class to receive any missed assignments, handouts, etc.
· Please do not disturb class with cell phones, side conversations, or excessive eating in class.
· Plagiarism (writing someone else’s words as your own), sharing your exam or paper with another student, or copying another student’s paper or exam will result in an F in the course. The following is a statement on the University’s policy on Academic Integrity:
The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn Collegeprocedure for implementing that policy can be found at this site:http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies. If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member MUST report the violation.
· If you feel you are not doing as well as you would like in the course you should come and see me in my office or after class. Grades can not be adjusted after an assignment is completed or once the semester is over.
· In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations students must first be registered with the Center for Student Disability Services. Students who have a documented disability or suspect they may have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Director of the Center for Student Disability Services, Ms. Valerie Stewart-Lovell at 718-951-5538. If you have already registered with the Center for Student Disability Services please provide your professor with the course accommodation form and discuss your specific accommodation with him/her.
Course ScheduleMon. 8/30 Introduction: What is Sociology of Law?
Wed. 9/1 Vago, Ch.1 Introduction
Mon. 9/13 Vago, Ch.2 Theoretical Perspectives p.38-62
Wed. 9/15 Vago: Ch.2 Theoretical Perspectives p.62-76
Mon. 9/20 Vago, Ch.3 The Organization of Law p.86-116
Wed. 9/22 Vago, Ch.3 The Organization of Law p.116-144
Mon. 9/27 Vago, Ch.4 Lawmaking p.157-190
Wed. 9/29 Vago, Ch.5 Law and Social Control p.197-217
Mon. 10/4 Vago, Ch.5 Law and Social Control p.217-245
Wed. 10/6 Vago, Ch.6 Law and Dispute Resolution p.259-283
Wed. 10/13 Vago, Ch.6 Law and Dispute Resolution p.283-307
Mon. 10/18 Vago, Ch.7 Law and Social Change p.317-333
Wed. 10/20 Vago, Ch.7 Law and Social Change p.333-348
Mon. 10/25 Vago, Ch.8 The Legal Profession
Wed. 10/27 Midterm Paper Due, Video
Mon. 11/1 Walker, Ch. 1 Race Ethnicity and Crime: The Present Crisis
Wed. 11/3 Walker, Ch. 2 Victims and Offenders: Myths and Realities about Crime
Mon. 11/8 Walker, Ch. 3 Race, Ethnicity, Social Structure, and Crime
Wed. 11/10 Guest lecture
Mon. 11/15 Walker, Ch. 4 Justice on the Street? The Police and Racial and Ethnic Minorities p.106-133;Paper Topic Due by email
Wed. 11/17 Walker, Ch. 4 Justice on the Street? p. 133-162
Mon. 11/22 Walker, Ch. 5 The Courts: A Quest for Justice During the Pretrial Process; Research Question Due
Wed. 11/24 Walker, Ch. 6 Justice on the Bench? Trial and Adjudication in Criminal Court
Mon. 11/29 Walker, Ch. 7 Race and Sentencing: In Search of Fairness and Justice; AnnotatedBibliography Due
Wed. 12/1 Walker, Ch. 8 The Color of Death: Race and the Death Penalty
Mon. 12/6 Walker, Ch. 9 Corrections in America: A colorful Portrait: Corrections vs. College: Minorities in Society; Bibliography Returned
Wed. 12/8 Walker, Ch. 10 Minority Youth and Crime: Minority Youth in Court
Mon. 12/13 Walker, Ch. 11 The Color of Justice
Mon. 12/20 Final Paper Due
Professor Alex Vitale
Fall 2010
[email protected]
Monday and Wednesday: 3:40 -4:55Office: 3101 JamesOffice Hours: M- Th 2:00-3:00 PM & by Apt.Objectives· To differentiate between legal, ethical, and sociological approaches to the legal system.
· To identify sociology of law concepts in the readings and apply them to contemporary events.
· To read newspaper articles and professional social science articles effectively.
· To communicate ideas effectively in class and in writing.
· To learn the methods of writing a sociological research paper.
Books (Pay close attention to editions and publication dates. Do not get the wrong edition.)· Vago, Steven. 2006. Law and Society. Upper Saddle River, NJ.: Prentice Hall. 8th ed. (not the latest edition)
· Walker, Samuel, Cassia Spohn, and Miriam DeLeon. 2006. The Color of Justice: Race Ethnicity, and Crime in America. Wadsworth. 4th ed.
Requirements
· Class Participation 15%: Students are expected to be in class on time and well prepared. This means reading the assignment, reviewing the web blog, and participating in classroom discussions. You should be prepared to be called upon to answer questions at any time.
· Midterm Paper 30%: This will be a 4-5 page paper that uses materials from class to analyze a recent news event related to the role of race and ethnicity in the legal/criminal justice system. A detailed assignment sheet will be given out in class.
· Web Postings 20%: There is a web page for this class at http://soclaw.wordpress.com/. You are required to post a recent news story related to the topic being covered in class at least 4 times in the first half of class and 4 times in the second half of class. Details on how to post will be provided in class.
· Final Paper 35%: This will be a 10 page research paper. Students must investigate some aspect of the role of race in the legal/criminal justice system that they find interesting and integrate concepts developed during the class into the paper. In advance of the final paper, a paper topic and bibliography must be submitted. A detailed assignment sheet will be given out in class.
Ground Rules· If you miss class, contact the instructor by email before the next class to receive any missed assignments, handouts, etc.
· Please do not disturb class with cell phones, side conversations, or excessive eating in class.
· Plagiarism (writing someone else’s words as your own), sharing your exam or paper with another student, or copying another student’s paper or exam will result in an F in the course. The following is a statement on the University’s policy on Academic Integrity:
The faculty and administration of Brooklyn College support an environment free from cheating and plagiarism. Each student is responsible for being aware of what constitutes cheating and plagiarism and for avoiding both. The complete text of the CUNY Academic Integrity Policy and the Brooklyn Collegeprocedure for implementing that policy can be found at this site:http://www.brooklyn.cuny.edu/bc/policies. If a faculty member suspects a violation of academic integrity and, upon investigation, confirms that violation, or if the student admits the violation, the faculty member MUST report the violation.
· If you feel you are not doing as well as you would like in the course you should come and see me in my office or after class. Grades can not be adjusted after an assignment is completed or once the semester is over.
· In order to receive disability-related academic accommodations students must first be registered with the Center for Student Disability Services. Students who have a documented disability or suspect they may have a disability are invited to set up an appointment with the Director of the Center for Student Disability Services, Ms. Valerie Stewart-Lovell at 718-951-5538. If you have already registered with the Center for Student Disability Services please provide your professor with the course accommodation form and discuss your specific accommodation with him/her.
Course ScheduleMon. 8/30 Introduction: What is Sociology of Law?
Wed. 9/1 Vago, Ch.1 Introduction
Mon. 9/13 Vago, Ch.2 Theoretical Perspectives p.38-62
Wed. 9/15 Vago: Ch.2 Theoretical Perspectives p.62-76
Mon. 9/20 Vago, Ch.3 The Organization of Law p.86-116
Wed. 9/22 Vago, Ch.3 The Organization of Law p.116-144
Mon. 9/27 Vago, Ch.4 Lawmaking p.157-190
Wed. 9/29 Vago, Ch.5 Law and Social Control p.197-217
Mon. 10/4 Vago, Ch.5 Law and Social Control p.217-245
Wed. 10/6 Vago, Ch.6 Law and Dispute Resolution p.259-283
Wed. 10/13 Vago, Ch.6 Law and Dispute Resolution p.283-307
Mon. 10/18 Vago, Ch.7 Law and Social Change p.317-333
Wed. 10/20 Vago, Ch.7 Law and Social Change p.333-348
Mon. 10/25 Vago, Ch.8 The Legal Profession
Wed. 10/27 Midterm Paper Due, Video
Mon. 11/1 Walker, Ch. 1 Race Ethnicity and Crime: The Present Crisis
Wed. 11/3 Walker, Ch. 2 Victims and Offenders: Myths and Realities about Crime
Mon. 11/8 Walker, Ch. 3 Race, Ethnicity, Social Structure, and Crime
Wed. 11/10 Guest lecture
Mon. 11/15 Walker, Ch. 4 Justice on the Street? The Police and Racial and Ethnic Minorities p.106-133;Paper Topic Due by email
Wed. 11/17 Walker, Ch. 4 Justice on the Street? p. 133-162
Mon. 11/22 Walker, Ch. 5 The Courts: A Quest for Justice During the Pretrial Process; Research Question Due
Wed. 11/24 Walker, Ch. 6 Justice on the Bench? Trial and Adjudication in Criminal Court
Mon. 11/29 Walker, Ch. 7 Race and Sentencing: In Search of Fairness and Justice; AnnotatedBibliography Due
Wed. 12/1 Walker, Ch. 8 The Color of Death: Race and the Death Penalty
Mon. 12/6 Walker, Ch. 9 Corrections in America: A colorful Portrait: Corrections vs. College: Minorities in Society; Bibliography Returned
Wed. 12/8 Walker, Ch. 10 Minority Youth and Crime: Minority Youth in Court
Mon. 12/13 Walker, Ch. 11 The Color of Justice
Mon. 12/20 Final Paper Due
