Dr. Anastasia Tosouni Course CRJU 4800 Gender and Crime Course Description

Course CRJU 4800
Gender and Crime
(3 credits)
Fall 2011
W 1:00-3:50- T100
Dr. Anastasia Tosouni
Office Location: T 120
Office Hours: MW: 11-12 and 4-5pm
And F: 11-1pm
Office Phone: 678-466-4866
Email: anastasiatosouni@clayton.edu
Course Description
This course explores the intersection between gender and crime by focusing on the experiences of women as crime
victims, criminal offenders, and criminal justice professionals, experiences which are very often interrelated and
overlapping. Such experiences can only be fully understood through careful examination of gender constructionism,
women's historically disadvantaged status in a patriarchal society, and the multiple ways through which law, and the
criminal justice system in particular, help maintain modern systems of patriarchy. To meet this objective, we will be
discussing several topics that include gender inequality, social and cultural constructions of gender, women's
sexualization and objectification, masculinities, gender differences in offending, and several specific to crime issues
such as rape, domestic violence, female pathways to crime and delinquency, and incarcerated females. Finally, we
will discuss ideas and suggestions that can be put in place to end gender based inequality and crime, and to promote
social justice.
TEXTBOOKS
1. Belknap, Joanne (2007) The Invisible Woman: Gender, Crime, and Justice
2. MacKinnon, Catharine (2005) Women’s Lives, Men’s Laws
3. Occasional handouts and journal articles (copies may be posted on Blackboard)
CATALOG DESCRIPTION
An exploration of contemporary topics and issues in the field of criminal justice. This course may be repeated for
credit when the topic varies.
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COURSE PREREQUISITES
CRJU 1150.
COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of this course, students should acknowledge and understand the following concepts, processes,
and institutions:
1. The social construction of gender
2. The ways in which the status and role expectations of women in society relate to crime, and criminal
processing
3. The types, context, and causes of female offending
4. Feminist theory, methods, and practice
5. Female victimization and gender-based violence
6. Paternalism and sexism in law making, law enforcement, judicial, and correctional institutions
7. The position of women as practitioners in the justice system
8. Sexism of law and society as mutually constituting
COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS
You are required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved
hardware and software requirements for your academic program. For further information on CSU's Official Notebook
Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm.
Students are expected to be able to use Microsoft Word, to attach and retrieve attached files via email, and to use a
web browser. It is also very important that students know to retrieve and submit assignments via Georgia View
(formerly WebCT). Students are expected to visit the course’s Georgia View Blackboard at least once per day, to
receive updates and other course related information.
COURSE ASSIGNMENTS AND GRADING
Assignment
Midterm examination
Final examination
Project –proposal
Project Presentation in class
Discussion Question
Discussion Question
Class Participation
Points
25
35
Weight
25%
35%
20
5
5
10
20%
5%
5%
10%
Course grades will be based on the following grading scale:
A =90-100%
B =80-89.49%
C =70-79.49%
D =60-69.45%
F =below 59.49%
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Due Dates
03/02
05/04-10
03/02
Your Choice
Your
Choice
N/A
Midterm and Final Exams (60%): These tests will include multiple choice and true/false questions and a few (36) short answer items. Midterm and final exams will constitute 25% and 35% respectively of your final total grade.
You will be allowed to have your notes (print out, NOT electronic copy) open, but not your books, or other course
handouts.
There will be NO make-up exams, unless extreme circumstances (e.g. illness) arise, and ONLY after your instructor’s
permission. We will have an in-class review before the exam, but make sure to come prepared (having studied) for
it, because I will NOT lecture again on issues we have already covered.
Participation (10%): It is crucial that you contribute meaningfully to class discussion and activities. This is a 3hour class, and I do not intent to lecture for the whole time. Meaningful participation will demonstrate that you have
studied the material, you are interested in the topics, and you are able to assess, evaluate, question, and ultimately
comprehend what is presented to you. Generally speaking, I will base your grade on this on the consistency, quality
(not quantity) of your engagement. In addition to that, being able to associate course material with your personal,
social, and cultural experiences will give you an extra bonus (that is, the + on the “A”) in this assignment. Random
and unsubstantiated comments, will not necessarily get you in trouble (I do appreciate free speech) but will also not
count towards your participation grade.
Note: You are welcome and encouraged to react to others’ (mine included) views and statements, but make sure you
do that in a respectful and professional manner. If you have an objection, object your objection to the view not to the
person.
Discussion Questions (10%): Because this class will be based on discussion, you will be required to submit
discussion questions via e-mail to me (see e-mail address on the first page of the syllabus). How do you do this?
Simply submit a question regarding the readings that you would like to discuss in class no later than 5:00 PM the day
before the class period. These questions will then be used to guide in-class discussion. Questions will be evaluated
based on their intellectual rigor. You must do this twice (that is for two of the assigned readings) during the semester
(your choice). I strongly suggest you do not leave this for last week of class!
Project/Presentation (20%): This assignment involves some research, some writing, some presentation, and a
lot of in-depth analysis and critical thinking. It may also involve collaboration with other students, as you may do this
by yourself, or together with one other classmate -you decide. You also decide which option to select for your project
(please see instructions below). You will be graded on perception, clarity, and organization, and on your ability to
connect your findings with course material (persuasiveness), in a way that demonstrates clear understanding of, and
engagement with the topics and theories discussed in class. You are required to connect your arguments to a
minimum of 3 sources from the required readings (state the reading-list sources you used in the text of your
presentation). Failure to do so will result in a deduction of 1-5 points (max points for the assignment: 20)
Option 1- Interview, report, present: Select a FEMALE you know, and who fits one of the categories of
females described in the text (offenders, victims or practitioners). First, discuss some of the relevant to the
course and readings issues. Then, write a report of your experience (summarize the discussion and its
relevance to issues, theories, and empirical findings discussed in the readings). Last, briefly present your
report your findings to the class. The written report (3-4 pages typed and double-spaced) and a copy of the
questions you asked must be submitted to your professor (Questions only - NOT questions and answers).
Also, I will need the name and phone number of the party with whom you spoke, along with the date, place
and time of the meeting. This information will be kept confidential, and is for verification purposes only. Your
discussions with the offender, victim, or professional are expected to relate directly to the assigned
readings, and questions should be designed with the issues contained in the readings in mind.
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Option 2- Find examples of the depiction of women in pop culture (you'll find these examples in media
outlets such as TV shows and adds, magazines, music videos, movies, etc). Sythesize these images in one
file (I suggest power point but you can select alternative methods) and present it in class. Your presentation
should tell a story that delineates women's social status today, especially in terms of discrimination,
victimization, and offending. Make sure to support your arguments and interpretations with material from the
course readings.
NOTE: Regardless of which option you select, I must approve your project before hand. A project proposal must be
submitted to me by March 2nd. The proposal will provide a brief but specific description (1-2 paragraphs long) of
what you are planning to do and whether you are planning to collaborate with another student. Keep in mind that
in the case of collaboration, the presentation must be joint, and that the grade will be the same for both students
(regardless of how much each student contributed towards the final product). ALL projects must be presented in
class, at ANY time after March 2nd, (indicate date of presentation in your proposal) but definitely BEFORE the
last week of class.
General Policy
Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate
Student Responsibilities.
University Attendance Policy
Students are expected to log in and participate as part of their learning in the course. Instructors establish specific
policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course
syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused
absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university
reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional
withdrawals or failing grades.
Course Attendance Policy
Students are expected to access the online course materials and participate in the required discussions, activities
and assignments. Course tracking can be used to assess the amount of “attendance” in an online course. Any
student who fails to attend the orientation session or complete a scheduled assignment during the first week of class
will be reported to as a “No Show”.
Missed Work
Without excuse, a grade of zero points will be assigned for the missed work. If you have a conflict, you are expected
to discuss it with me prior to the due date for the assignment so other arrangements might be made.
Disabilities
Students with disabilities who require reasonable accommodations need to register with Disability Services in order
to obtain their accommodations. You can contact them at 678-466-5445 or disabilityservices@clayton.edu. If you are
already registered with Disability Services and are seeking accommodations for this course, please make an
appointment with me to discuss your specific accommodation needs and give me your accommodations letter.
Academic Dishonesty
Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The
most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism. All instances of academic dishonesty will
result in a grade of zero for the work involved. All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of
Student Life/Judicial Affairs. Judicial procedures are described at
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http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.
What constitutes academic dishonesty:
Plagiarism is defined as the act of using the ideas or work of another person or persons as if they were ones own,
without giving credit to the source. Such an act is not plagiarism if it is ascertained that the ideas were arrived at
through independent reasoning or logic or where the thought or idea is common knowledge. Acknowledgment of an
original author or source must be made through appropriate references, i.e., quotation marks, footnotes, or
commentary. Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to, the following: the submission of a work, either in
part or in whole, completed by another; failure to give credit for ideas, statements, facts or conclusions which
rightfully belong to another; in written work, failure to use quotation marks when quoting directly from another,
whether it be a paragraph, a sentence, or even a part thereof; or close and lengthy paraphrasing of another’s writing
or programming. A student who is in doubt about the extent of acceptable paraphrasing should consult the instructor.
Students are required to follow APA citation guidelines in all written assignments. A helpful guide to APA style is
posted on the course website, and individual help will also be provided by your instructor if needed.
Cheating is defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain or aiding another to obtain academic credit for
work by the use of any dishonest, deceptive or fraudulent means. Examples of cheating during an examination
include, but are not limited to the following: copying, either in part or in whole, from another’s test or examination;
discussion of answers or ideas relating to the answers on an examination or test unless such discussion is
specifically authorized by the instructor; giving or receiving copies of an examination without the permission of the
instructor; using or displaying notes, “cheat sheets,” or other information or devices inappropriate to the prescribed
test conditions, as when the test of competence includes a test of unassisted recall of information, skill, or procedure;
or allowing someone other than the officially enrolled student to represent the same. Also included in plagiarism is
altering or interfering with grading procedures. It is often appropriate for students to study together or to work in
teams on projects. However, such students should be careful to avoid the use of unauthorized assistance, and to
avoid any implication of cheating, by such means as sitting apart from one another in examinations, presenting the
work in a manner that clearly indicates the effort of each individual, or such other method as is appropriate to the
particular course
Student Code of Conduct
Behavior that disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not be tolerated. While a variety of
behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane,
and/or threatening behavior. A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding online behavior
and/or behavior while participating in online course activities may be dismissed from class. A more detailed
description the Student Code of Conduct can be found at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentconduct/SCC-text%20version%202009-10.pdf. For more information on the disciplinary policy please go to
http://adminservices.clayton.edu/studentconduct/DP--text%20version%202009-10.pdf.
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TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE
Please study respective readings BEFORE coming to class (PB=Ph. Bourgois book)
Week
Topic
Readings
1 and 2
Introduction
Belknap(1) and C. MacKinnon
(1, 3, and 6)
3
Crime Theories
B (2) and CM (2, 8)
Assignment Due
4
5
6
Female Offending
Female Offending
Female Victimization
JB (3, 4)
JB (5) and CM (13 and 21)
JB (6, 8) and CM (17, 18)
Discuss Scalia on the 14th
Amendment
TBA
TBA
TBA
7
Female Victimization
Sexual Victimization
JB (7) and CM (15, 16, and 27)
TBA
8
MIDTERM REVIEW AND
EXAM! (02/28)
Project Proposal
Study your …heart off!!!
BREAK
9
10
CJ professionals
CJ Professionals
JB (9, 10, 11) and CM (23)
JB (9, 10, 11) and CM (23)
TBA
TBA
11
Pornography
CM (24, 25, 26)
TBA
12
10. Social Change
JB (12) and CM (10, 27, 28, 29)
TBA
13
Social Change
JB (12) and CM (10, 27, 28, 29)
TBA
14
15
FINALS
WEEK
Presentations
Final Review
All course materials
Get Ready for Exam
GOOD LUCK!
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!
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