Professor: Phyllis B. Gerstenfeld, J.D., Ph.D.
Phone: 667-3229
Office: C 213G
email: phyllisg@toto.csustan.edu
 

REQUIRED TEXTS:

• Capote, T. (1994). In Cold Blood. Vintage Books.
In this "nonfiction novel", Capote details the mass murder of a Kansas farm family in 1959. What would lead two men to kill complete strangers?
• Carr, C. (1995). The Alienist. Bantam.
In this novel, set in late 19th century New York City, an alienist (psychologist) joins forces with the police and a newspaper reporter to catch a serial killer. This book gives an interesting look at life and policing a hundred years ago.
• Harris, T. (2000). Hannibal. Dell.
In this sequel to The Silence of the Lambs, we once again meet serial killer Hannibal Lecter and FBI agent Clarice Starling. We also learn a great deal more about Dr. Lecter himself.
• King, S. (1998). Misery. Penguin.
Meet Annie Wilkes, author Paul Sheldon's Number One Fan.
• King, S. (1995). Different Seasons. New American Library.
"Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" is a novella about life in a state prison in the years 1948-1976. It touches on themes of corruption and hope, and was the basis for the film starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.
• Lee, H. (1988). To Kill a Mockingbird. Warner Books.
This is a coming of age story set in Alabama in the 1930's, and it is also a story about a trial, and the parts that race and class played in criminal justice. Won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961.
• Puzo, M. (1996). The Godfather. Signet.
The classic story of Don Vito Corleone and the Mafia family he controls. Some have accused this book of glorifying organized crime, but it certainly presents a gripping story.
• Wright, R. (1989). Native Son. HarperCollins.
The story of Bigger Thomas, a young African American man in 1930's Chicago who commits two murders. What led him to kill, and how does the justice system treat him?

COURSE METHODS AND PROCEDURE:
This course will consist of class discussion. You will be expected to read all of the assigned materials on time, and to be prepared to discuss them in class.
 

GRADING:
Grades will be based on these criteria:
Book reviews 7 @10 points each  70 points
Movie reviews 10 @ 5 points each  50 points
Short story       30 points
TOTAL       150 points
Grades will be assigned as follows:
135 to 150- A
120 to 134 - B
105 to 119 - C
90 to 104 - D
Below 90 - F
 

Class attendance and participation:
You are expected to attend class regularly and to participate actively in class discussions and activities. Frequent absences, failure to participate, or  lack of preparation for class will adversely affect your grade in the course.

Book Reviews:
We will be reading 8 books in this class. For each of these books, you will write a review (approximately 3 pages long). This review will consist of a brief (1-2 paragraph) summary of the book, followed by responses to questions which will be given to you by the instructor. Your lowest review grade will be dropped when final grades are computed, so you may, if you wish, choose to write only 7 reviews.

Movie Reviews:
We will be watching several movies in this class. You are to write a reviews of 10 of these (your choice). The content of the reviews will be very similar to the book reviews.

All book and movie reviews must be typed in 12 point font and double-spaced. Due dates for the reviews will be announced in class. Absent extreme exigency, no late reviews will be accepted.

Short Story:
You are to write an original short story with a criminal justice related theme. This story should be a work of fiction, and must be at least 5 pages long. It must be typed in 12-point font, double-spaced, and include a title and your name on the front page. It is due November 26. You must hand in as many copies as there are students in this class, plus one for me. I will compile these stories so that each student has a copy of the class's collected works. Absolutely no late short stories will be accepted!

Plagiarism:
Plagiarism occurs whenever you use another person’s ideas or words without giving proper credit. Plagiarism is a serious offense and will result in a failing grade in the course. It may also result in University discipline, including expulsion. If you are at all unsure about whether something constitutes plagiarism, ask the instructor!

*GRADUATE STUDENTS*:
To receive graduate credit for this class, you must complete extra work in this class. Specifically, you must choose at least one additional book and one additional movie to review from the supplemental list. Click here to see the list. Undergraduate students need not do this extra work, but may choose to do so for extra credit. There are no specific review questions for these works; come up with your own.

MANNERS:
Cell phones and other modern annoyances:
It is annoying and distracting when cell phones and other electronic marvels beep, ring, or otherwise sound out in class. This is inconsiderate to both the instructor and your classmates. If you must bring one of these to class, turn off the sound. Anyone whose gizmo makes noise in class will be required to complete an extra assignment of the instructor’s choosing; failure to complete the assignment in a satisfactory way will adversely affect your grade.

Tardiness:
Class will start promptly. Repeated tardiness or absence will result in a reduction in your grade in this class.
 

ASSIGNMENTS:
NOTE: Clicking on a book or movie title will take you to the review questions for that work.

Sept. 10: Introduction
Video: Dirty Harry (1971)

Sept. 17 & 24: Police
Book: The Alienist
Videos: LA Confidential (1997)
 Serpico (1973)

Oct. 1, 8, & 22: Bad Guys
Books: Misery
 Native Son
Videos: Taxi Driver (1976)
Menace II Society (1993)
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)

Oct. 29 & Nov. 5: Lawyers, Judges, and Jurors
Book: To Kill a Mockingbird
Videos: 12 Angry Men (1957)
My Cousin Vinny (1992)

November 19: Prison
Book: "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" (in Different Seasons)
Video: Cool Hand Luke (1967)

November 26: The Mob
Book: The Godfather
Video: Goodfellas (1990)

December 3: Serial Killers and Mass Murderers
Books: In Cold Blood
Hannibal
Video: Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

December 10: Summary
Book: Class's Collected Works
 
 

NOTE: Due to extenuating circumstances, dates, videos, and assignments are subject to change!