ALEX S. VITALE, PROFESSOR OF SOCIOLOGY BROOKLYN COLLEGE
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SOCY 3605 Social Movements

Social Movements
SOCY 3605
Professor Alex S. Vitale
 
Fall 2018
Office: 3101 James
Mon, Wed. 12:50- 2:05 PM
Office Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 11:00AM-12:00 & by Appt.
[email protected]
Course web page: http://www.alex-vitale.info

Objectives
  • To understand the importance of the legacy of slavery in the construction of the modern criminal justice system.
  • To learn different theoretical approaches to understanding the intersection of race and justice.
  • To explore the portrayal of blacks in the Criminal Justice system in the popular media.
  • To learn the myths underlying mass incarceration and possible alternatives.
  • To communicate ideas effectively in class and in writing.
  • To explore the role of collective action in creating change in the criminal justice system.

Books
Required
  • Smith, Mychal Denzel. 2016. Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching: A young black Man’s Education. Nation Books.
  • Kahn-Cullors, Patrisse and Asha Bandele. 2017. When They Call You a Terorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir. St. Martin’s Press.  
  • Taylor, Keeanga-Yamahtta. 2016. From #BLACKLIVESMATTER to Black Liberation. Haymarket.
 
Optional
 
  • Alexander, Michelle. 2012. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press.
  • Davis, Angela, Y. 2016. Freedom is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement. Haymarket.
  • Fanon, Frantz. [1963] 2004. The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press.
  • Foner, Philip S. ed. [1970] 2014. The Black Panthers Speak. Haymarket.
  • King, Martin Luther Jr. [1968] 2010. Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? Beacon Press.
 
Requirements
 
  • Class Participation 25%: Students are expected to be in class on time and well prepared. This means reading the assignment and participating in classroom discussions. You should be prepared to be called upon to answer questions at any time.
  • Midterm Paper 30%: Write an essay comparing and contrasting the views of Martin Luther King and the Black Panther Party on the use of violence, the role of militarism in American society, and how best to fight economic inequality.
  • Final Paper 45%: The final paper will be 9-10 page research paper. Students must investigate an example of an organization that is working to improve the treatment of Blacks in the criminal justice system and integrate concepts developed during the class into the paper.

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.
  • 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.

Course Schedule
Mon     8/27   Introduction. #BlackLivesMatter
Wed    8/29     Smith Ch. 1-2
Wed    9/5       Smith Ch. 4-5
Wed    9/12     Smith Ch. 6-7
Mon     9/17     Malcolm X, “The Ballot or the Bullet” on YouTube
Mon     9/24     MLK Ch. 2
Wed    9/26     MLK Ch. 4
Mon     10/1     MLK Ch. 5
Wed    10/3     Foner Intro, Ch. 1
Wed    10/10   Foner Ch. 3 p39-47, 50-70
Mon     10/15   Foner Ch. 8 p151-161, Ch. 9 p. 167-181
Wed    10/17   Fanon “On Violence” p. 1-52
Mon     10/22   Baldwin, “Letter from a Region in my Mind”
Wed    10/24   Baldwin, “Letter from a Region in my Mind”
Mon     10/29   Midterm Paper Due
Wed    10/31   Taylor Intro and Ch. 1
Mon     11/5     Taylor Ch. 4
Wed    11/7     Taylor Ch. 6
Mon     11/12   Guest Speaker
Wed    11/14   Taylor Ch. 7
Mon     11/19   Davis Ch. 2 and 7
Wed    11/21   Davis Ch. 8 and 9
Mon     11/26   Guest Speaker
Wed    11/29   Alexander Ch. 4
Mon     12/3     Alexander Ch. 7
Wed    12/5     Khan-Cullors Part 1
Mon     12/10   Khan-Cullors Part 2
Wed    12/12   Khan Cullors Part 2
Thurs   12/20   Final Paper Due by 5PM

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  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookings
  • The Critical Criminologist
  • Publications
  • Teaching
  • The Policing and Social Justice Project
  • Media Coverage
  • Presentations
  • Protest Policing Reports
  • Updates
  • Newsletter