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

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Constitutional Rights of Prisoners, 6th Ed., John W. Palmer, Anderson
Pub. Co.

Life without Parole: Living in Prison Today, 2d Ed., Victor Hassine, Roxbury Publishing Co.
 

COURSE METHODS AND PROCEDURE:
The course will consist of lecture, cases, and class discussion.  All students are required to read the assigned chapters in the text and any supplemental materials, and to be prepared to engage in classroom discussion, dialog or debate. Students will be called on in class, and will be expected to be able to brief the assigned cases.
 

GRADING:
Grades will be based on three criteria: two exams worth 40% of your grade each, case briefing worth 10% of your grade, and a paper worth 10% of your grade.  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

Exams:
There will be two written, closed-book examinations.  These exams are based on lectures, classroom discussions, and the readings.  You are responsible for all material assigned to you in the text, whether it is discussed in class or not.  You are also responsible for material from classroom discussions that is not contained in the text; for this reason, it is highly recommended that you make every effort to attend each class session.

Missed Exams:
No make-up exams will be given, as they are an  extreme inconvenience to the instructor and the department secretary, and may be unfair to other students. Students who miss one of the regularly scheduled exams must instead take a comprehensive final on May 24th at 2:00 pm. No other options will be offered.

In addition, students who have taken both regular exams but who wish to attempt to raise their test average may take the comprehensive final if they choose to do  so. If they score higher on the final than on one of the regular exams, the final score will replace the original one. If they score lower on the final than on either regular exam, their original scores will not be affected (thus, taking the final cannot hurt a person's grade).

Students who take both of the regular exams and are satisfied with their scores do not need to take the final.
 

Case briefing:
The instructor will choose students at random to orally brief the assigned cases. If you are absent on a day you are chosen, or if you are unprepared to brief the case, your grade will be adversely affected. Due to the size of the class, you will likely be given only one or two chances to brief. It is vital, therefore, that you come to class prepared every day.
 

Term paper:
After reading Life without Parole, you will write a 5-7 page paper. The first page or so of the paper will consist of a brief summary of the book. In the remaining pages, you will compare the experiences of the people in the book to the cases and issues we have discussed in class. You will be graded on the thoughtfulness and accuracy of your observations, as well as on the quality of your writing. This paper must be typed and double-spaced, with normal margins and a 12-point font. It is due April 24. Points will be deducted for late papers.

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 at 2:30. Repeated tardiness or absence will result in a reduction in your grade in this class.
 

ASSIGNMENTS:
These assignments are subject to change as circumstances warrant.  Any changes will be announced in class ahead of time; it is your responsibility to be aware of these changes.

Feb. 15 Introduction
Feb. 20-22 No class
Feb. 27 Chapter 1
Mar. 1 Corrections in America
Mar. 6-8 Chapter 2 and related cases
Mar. 13-15 Chapter 3 and related cases
Mar. 20-22 Chapter 4 and related cases
Mar. 27 Review
Mar. 29 EXAM #1
Apr. 3-5 Chapter 5 and related cases
Apr. 10-12 Chapter 6 and related cases
Apr. 17-19 Spring Break J
Apr. 24-26 Chapter 7 and related cases
 Apr. 24--PAPER DUE
May 1-3 Chapter 8 and related cases
May 8-15 Chapter 10 and related cases
May 17 Review
May 22   EXAM #2
May 24   Comprehensive Final