C7: Introduction to Criminology, Law & Society

Spring Quarter 2015

Tues, Thurs 5:00 6:20pm
SSLH 100
Instructor: Peter Hanink, JD, MPA
Office: SEII 3354
Phone: (646) 512.0204
phanink@uci.edu
Office Hours: 1pm 2 pm Wednesday or by appointment
Teaching Assistants
Emma Conner
Sofia Laguna
Matthew Renner
Fei Yang

email
econner@uci.edu
lagunas@uci.edu
mlrenner@uci.edu
feiy4@uci.edu

Office Hours
Tu 1 2pm
Th 12 1pm
Mon 1 2pm
Tu/Th 3:30-4:30pm

Location
SEII 3342
SEII 3342
SEII 3342
SEII 2354

Class website available for enrolled students at: https://eee.uci.edu/15s/52000

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides an introduction to and overview of the field of Criminology, Law
and Society, surveying the basic components of the U.S. criminal justice system (police,
courts, and corrections). Among other topics, we will discuss tough on crime policies,
drug treatment courts, issues related to race, class, and gender, the politics of crime and
crime control, rules of evidence, and the death penalty. In this course, you and I will
critically evaluate how we process individuals through the criminal justice system and the
implications this processing has on public safety, civil liberties, public policy, and social
control. Particular attention is paid to current challenges to the system.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
To describe basic features of the American criminal justice system, legal
sanctions, and methods of social control;
To explore different philosophical perspectives on justice and formal and informal
decision-making;
To understand police organizations, how cases are processed through the court
system, sentencing decisions, and the various forms of criminal punishment;
To critically evaluate criminal justice policies and their consequences;
To become smart consumers of news reports, political rhetoric, and public
discussion about crime, punishment, and the law.

REQUIRED TEXTS AND MATERIALS

There are three required texts available for purchase at the UCI bookstore,
(A)
Introduction to Criminal Justice: A Sociological Perspective, edited by Charis E.
Kubrin & Thomas D. Stucky (Stanford University Press).
(B)
No Heroes, No Villains: The Story of a Murder Trial by Steven J. Phillips
(C)
Race to Incarcerate: A Graphic Retelling by Marc Mauer & Sabrina Jones
Also, you are required to purchase an iclicker, through which your class participation
will be tracked. Make sure to bring your text and iclicker with you to class each day.
COURSE GRADE
Exam One
45%
Exam Two
45%
iclicker Participation 10%
Your grade for the course is based on two in-class exams (see dates in course outline) and
class participation. Based on content, Exam One is worth 45% of your grade and Exam
Two is worth 45% percent of your grade (Exam Two is not cumulative). Both exams
consist of multiple choice, short answer, and essay questions. The TAs and I will be
keeping track of your participation through the quarter by tracking your iclicker usage in
response to questions posted in lecture. Class participation is worth 10% of your grade.
TA ASSIGNMENTS
Your TA assignment is based on your last name. Please see the TA to whom you are
assigned with questions about course materials or grades.
- Names beginning with A-Garb are assigned to Emma Conner econner@uci.edu
- Names beginning with Garc-Marte are assigned to Sofia Laguna lagunas@uci.edu
- Names beginning with Marti-Rue are assigned to Matthew Renner mlrenner@uci.edu
- Names beginning with Rui-Z are assigned to Fei Yang feiy4@uci.edu
COURSE POLICIES
Academic Misconduct and Classroom Etiquette: This is a University of California class
and, as with all UC classes, students are expected to abide by the student code of conduct.
Students who are caught cheating on an exam will fail the course, with no exceptions.
Please refer to the Catalogue and Schedule of Classes for UCIs academic honesty policy:
http://www.editor.uci.edu/11-12/appx/appx.2.htm. This policy will be strictly enforced.
Students are also expected to abide by the basic rules of classroom etiquette including:
getting to class on time and coming prepared to engage; turning off all electronic devices;
not talking during lectures; and remaining respectful of diverse views when engaging in
classroom debate.
All views are allowed and welcome; however, expressing them in a respectful way is
required. Reasonable people can disagree, but disagreement needs to be expressed in
ways that are conducive to the free exchange of ideas, productive dialogue, and
meaningful learning.

Use of Technology in the Classroom: Please turn off everything before coming to class.
Everything means everything.
Missed Classes: If you miss class, you are responsible for getting notes from another
student, not from the professor or TA, and/or listening to the lecture on podcast. Missing
class more than once or twice is likely to compromise your grade. Students are
responsible for reading course emails and consulting the course website to keep up with
course updates.
Missed Exams and Disputing Grades:
Please note that exams MUST be taken on the scheduled date; there will be no make-up
exams absent proof of an emergency. You must let the instructor know before the exam if
you are unable to make it. If you wish to dispute a grade, you must do so in writing at the
TAs first office hours after you have received your graded paper or exam. Submit the
marked exam along with a brief memo explaining what you dispute and why you believe
the grade should be re-considered. The TA or the professor may lower as well as raise
your grade.
Students with Disabilities: You should notify a TA as soon as possible to discuss specific
needs. You are also responsible for contacting UCIs Disability Services Center, (949)
824-7494, so that any necessary accommodations can be made.
COURSE SUGGESTIONS:
Although it is not required, you are encouraged to:
1. Raise your hand in class, question the professor, engage with the material via
discussion, and otherwise ignore that this is a large class!
2. Get acquainted with one another. Exchange e-mail addresses and phone numbers.
Form study groups. Engage in collaborative learning. Studies show that students
who engage in collaborative learning tend to do better in college and beyond.
3. See the professor and/or the TA as often as is necessary to do well in this course.
Do not wait until problems are irreparable or concerns are outdated to seek
assistance. Try to make it to our office hours but if that is not possible make an
appointment. If you extend the effort, we will be available and willing to help you
do well in this class.
Course Content Note
At times this quarter we will be discussing events that may be disturbing, even
traumatizing, to some students. If you ever feel the need to step outside during one of
these discussions, either for a short time or for the rest of the class session, you may
always do so without academic penalty. (You will, however, be responsible for any
material you miss. If you do leave the room for a significant time, please make
arrangements to get notes from another student or see me individually.) If you ever wish
to discuss your personal reactions to this material, either with the class or with me
afterwards, I welcome such discussion as an appropriate part of our coursework.

Honesty and Plagiarism Policy

This course seeks to empower students for independent learning, resourcefulness, clear
thinking, and perception. All submitted work and activities should be genuine reflections
of individual achievement from which the student should derive personal satisfaction and
a sense of accomplishment. Plagiarism and cheating subvert these goals and will not
be tolerated. If you cheat on an exam, you will receive an F for the exam/assignment,
an official notice will be placed in your file and you may be prosecuted by UCI.
COURSE SCHEDULE
The course outline indicates what we will be doing and when we will be doing it. Please
read the assigned texts before class. Due dates and topics are not chiseled in stone; they
are tentative and subject to change. If changes are made, they will be announced in class.
It is your responsibility to be in class. If you are absent, you are responsible for getting
the information from a classmate.
Class

Topic

Readings

Part One Foundational Issues of Justice

Mar 31

Introduction to Course

Apr 2

Human Behavior and Crime Control

Cullen & Gilbert

(A) p1-13

Apr 7

Perspectives on Punishment

(A) p14-39
Garland, Packer

Apr 9

Criminal Justice Theory

(A) p40-54
Kraska & Brent

Part Two Policing

Apr 14

History of Policing

(A) p55-91
Intro; Goldstein;
Willliams & Murphy

Apr 16

Police Culture and Practices

(A) p92-103
Rabe-Hemp

Apr 21

Policing Strategies and Impact

(A) p103-126
Black; Weisburd & Eck

Apr 23

Police Misconduct

(A) p127-148
Warren et al.; Bayley

Apr 28

FILM (part one)

(B)

Apr 30

FILM (part two) & Exam Review

May 5

*** Exam One ***

Part Three The Courts

May 7

Courtroom Players

(A) p149-182
Spohn et al.; McIntyre

May 12

Plea Bargaining and Justice

(A) p183-202
Steffensmeier & Britt;
Guidorizzi

May 14

Disparities in Criminal Sentencing

(A) p203-218
Zatz

May 19

The Jury
Specialized Courts

(A) p219-234; p249-260

Butler; Gottfredson et al.

Part Four Corrections

May 21

Goals and Forms of Punishment

(A) p261-281
MacKenzie

May 26

Death Penalty

(A) p282-292
Radelet & Borg;

May 28

Prison Life

(A) p304-328
Pogrebin & Dodge;
Useem & Reisig

Part Five Crime Control in the 21st Century

June 2

Carceral State & Collateral Consequences (A) p329-357

FILM (part one)
Intro; Platt;
Beckett & Sasson

June 4

FILM (part two) & Exam Review

(C)

June 11

*** Exam Two ***

4:00pm-6:00pm