CCJ 4678 SYLLABUS
RACE, GENDER, ETHNICITY, AND CRIME
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Race, Gender, Ethnicity, and Crime
CCJ 4678
MW 2:00 – 3:15 PM
Spring, 2012
3 Credit Hours
669368
9107
Instructor Information:
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Dr. Caryn Horwitz, Assistant Professor
School of Justice
Office: 9114
Office Hours: TBA
Phone: 305-237-1731
Email: chorwitz@mdc.edu
Course Description:
This course focuses on the complex and multi-faceted relations between race, ethnicity, gender,
and crime. We will examine how race, ethnicity, and gender are experienced in U.S. society and
then investigate the variations in how the criminal justice system responds depending on race,
ethnicity, and gender. Prerequisite: CCJ 1191.
Textbook:
Images of Color/Images of Crime, 3rd Edition
Author: Coramae Richey Mann, Marjorie Zatz, and Nancy Rodriguez
Publisher: Oxford
ISBN: 978-0-19-533063-2
Class Requirements
Assignments : You will be required to write one 1,500 word research paper for our class. You
will also be required to participate in all class discussions. You will also be expected to read
weekly and daily newspapers and magazines, and be prepared to bring any interesting issues into
class. We will discuss paper and group presentation requirements in class.
Late Assignment Policy: No late papers will be accepted.
Grading Scale and Policy: You can earn up to 500 points in this class.
Midterm Exam ================ 200 Points
Final Exam =================== 200 Points
Research Paper ================ 100 Points
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Essay
Essay
1,500 Word Written Paper
A ====== 440 or Above Points
B ====== 390 – 439 Points
C ====== 340 – 389 Points
D ====== 290 – 339 Points
F ====== 289 or Below Points
Make-up Exam Policy: No make-up exams will be offered.
Class Policies and Methodology
Attendance: Attendance will be taken at each class meeting and is expected of each of you.
Electronic Device Use: Please refrain from using any electronic device during class. If you must
make an emergency call, please step out of the classroom.
Email Policy: Papers need to be printed and turned into Professor. No papers will be accepted
through email. You may email the Professor for specific questions that cannot be handled during
office hours.
Equipment and Supplies: No special supplies and/or equipment to buy except for the textbook
used for our class. See above.
Professor’s Expectations: You will be expected to take a key role in your learning experience.
You will read the textbook, attend class, participate in discussions, work with your colleagues on
your group presentations, write the research paper, and take both the mid-term and final exam.
Exams will be based on class discussions/lectures and your reading assignments. If you miss
class, please get information about covered material from one of your colleagues in the class.
Please do not write to me and ask me “Did I miss anything?” Assume you missed something!
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Methods of Instruction: Lectures and Discussions based on textbook and class participation.
Unique Requirements of the Class: Your active participation in your learning experience by
sharing in class discussions and bringing current newsworthy issues into class.
Class Outline and Assignments: See below for reading assignments, dates for exams, and
dates for papers due.
College Policies:
ATTENDANCE REPORTING: Federal guidelines require that the faculty now report student
attendance. Students who have never attended class will be withdrawn prior to the withdrawal
date. If a student has attended class and wants to withdraw, they should do so before the
withdrawal deadline. If you have attended class but do not complete any assignments and stop,
you will receive a grade of F. If you complete an assignment and stop attending, you will receive a
grade of F.
ACADEMIC HONESTY: Each student is expected to do their own work. Cheating WILL NOT be
tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, collaboration on exams or quizzes and plagiarized
papers. The first incidence will result in a grade of zero for the assignment. A second occurrence
will result in a failing grade for the class, removal from the class and possible additional sanctions
as determined by the Dean of Students.
CLASS OUTLINE
Week 1 – Week of January 2
Introduction: General Discussion
Week 2 – Week of January 9
Power of Images
Read Text, Introduction
Week 3 – Week of January 16
Images: American Indians and African Americans
Read Text, Chapters 1 and 2
Week 4 – Week of January 23
Images: Latinos and Latinas
Read Text, Chapter 3
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Week 5 – Week of January 30
Images: Asian Americans and Euro-Americans
Read Text, Chapters 4 and 5
Week 6 – Week of February 6
Media Stereotyping: American Indians and African Americans
Read Text, Chapters 6 and 7
Week 7 – Week of February 13 – MID-TERM on Wednesday
Mid-Term Exam and Group Discussion
Week 8 – Week of February 20
Media Stereotyping: Latinos and Latinas
Read Text, Chapter 8
Week 9 – Week of February 27
Media Stereotyping: Asian Americans and Euro-Americans
Read Text, Chapters 9 and 10
Week 10 – Week of March 5
Political Stereotyping: American Indians and African Americans
Read Text, Chapters 11 and 12
Week 11 – Week of March 12
Political Stereotyping: Latinos and Latinas
Read Text, Chapter 13
Week 12 – Week of March 19
Political Stereotyping: Asian Americans and Euro-Americans
Read Text, Chapter 14 and 15
Week 13 – Week of March 26 – PAPERS DUE on Wednesday
Images of Crime & Punishment: American Indians and African Americans
Read Text, Chapter 16 and 17
Week 14 – Week of April 2
Images of Crime & Punishment: Latinos and Latinas
Read Text, Chapter 18
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Week 15 – Week of April 9
Images of Crime & Punishment: Asian Americans and Euro-Americans
Read Text, Chapters 19 and 20
Week 16 – Week of April 16 --- Our Last Classes!
Nexus of Race and Ethnicity and Criminal Justice Policy
Read Text, Chapter 21
Final Group Discussion and Prepare for Final Exam
Week 17 – Week of April 23 –- FINAL EXAM
School of Justice Learning Objectives:
1. DATA
a. Use data to support Criminal Justice Policy Development
2. CULTURE
a. Create strategies to examine Cultural Beliefs about Right and Wrong
3. ETHICS
a. Effects of Ethical Decisions on Professional Behavior
4. COMMUNICATION
a. Communicating differences about Crime Control and Due Process
5. LOGICAL REASONING
a. Use Logical Reasoning to Improve the Criminal Justice system
Learning Outcomes:
This class will fulfill several of these learning outcomes. As graduates of Miami Dade College,
students will be able to:
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Communicate effectively using listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.
Formulate strategies to locate, evaluate, and apply information.
Demonstrate knowledge of diverse cultures, including global and historical perspectives.
Create strategies that can be used to fulfill personal, civic, and social responsibilities.
Demonstrate knowledge of ethical thinking and its application to issues in society.
Use computer and emerging technologies effectively.
Solve problems using critical and creative thinking and scientific reasoning
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