Course Description
The relationship between contemporary American punishment and social organization and processes. Topics include historical features of, and justifications for, punishment; the death penalty debate; prisoner rights; and prison conditions.
Athena Title
Criminal Punishment Society
Semester Course Offered
Offered every even-numbered year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. Draw connections between the structure and culture of American society and the nature of its punishment 2. Assess the magnitude of gender and race discrimination in sentencing, imposition of the death penalty, and in prison conditions. 3. Identify and critically evaluate the salient controversies in the field of punishment today 4. Weigh the strengths and weaknesses of each rationale for criminal punishment
Topical Outline
Justifications for punishment The death penalty Prison conditions Prisoner rights Probation & parole