HONS 1010: DIRECTED READING SEMINAR

FALL 2001

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

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Robinson, M.R. (2002). Justice Blind?: Ideals and Realities of American Criminal Justice. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Hornblum, A.M. (1999). Acres of Skin. New York: Routledge.

Selections in Course Reader.
 
 

COURSE METHODS AND PROCEDURE:

This course will consist of class discussion and activities. 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:

Class attendance and participation       20 points

Assignments                                             80 points

TOTAL                                                     100 points

Grades will be assigned as follows:
90 to 100 - A
80 to 89 - B
70 to 79 - C
60 to 69 - D
Below 60 - 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.

Assignments:

You will be given 16 brief written assignments. Each will be worth 5 points. All assignments must be turned in on time. Absent extreme exigent circumstances (for which you must provide documentation) no late assignments will be accepted. If you must miss class, you are responsible for informing yourself of any assignments you may have missed. Click here to view class assignments.

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!

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:
 
Date
Topic
Readings
Assignment Due
Sept. 10 Introduction    
Section One: What Is Justice?
Sept. 12 Types of Justice Reader, selections 1, 2, 3 1
Sept. 17-19 Cross-cultural conceptions of justice Reader, selection 4 2
Sept. 24-26 The just world Reader, selection 5 3, 4
Section Two: Criminal Justice
Oct. 1-3 Purpose of Criminal Justice Justice Blind, ch. 1 5
Oct. 8-10 The law Justice Blind, ch. 2 6
Oct. 15-17 Media and Criminal Justice Justice Blind, ch. 4 7
Oct. 22-24 Criminal procedures Justice Blind, ch. 8 8
Oct. 29-31 The Constitution Reader, selection 6 9
Nov. 5 Cases Reader, selections 7 & 8 10
Section Three: Ethics in Practice
Nov. 7-22 Research ethics---part 1 Acres of Skin 11, 12
Nov. 26-28 Research ethics---part 2 Reader, selections 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 13
Dec. 3-10 Corporate ethics Reader, selections 14, 15, 16, 17 14, 15, 16

 

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




Written Assignments
  • Assignment
  • Due Date
  • Inaugural Speech*
  • Sept. 12
  • Web Page Assessment
  • Sept. 19
  • Just World Hypothesis
  • Sept. 24
  • Summarize Research
  • Sept. 26
  • Justice Blind, Chapter 1
  • Oct. 3
  • Justice Blind, Chapter 2
  • Oct. 10
  • Media Project
  • Oct. 17
  • Justice Blind, Chapter 8
  • Oct. 24
  • Constitution*
  • Oct. 31
  • Case Brief
  • Nov. 5
  • Acres of Skin
  • Nov. 22
  • Film Summary
  • Nov. 22
  • Professional Code*
  • Nov. 28
  • Essay on Bhopal
  • Dec. 10
  • Film Summary 2
  • Dec. 10
  • Web Page Assessment 2
  • Dec. 10
  • Assignments with an * may be completed by pairs or small groups (no more than 3) of students. All others must be completed by individual students.