Dr. Randall G. Shelden
Office: Central Desert Complex, Building 8, room 818 - note: we will be moving to a new building on Sept. 3
Phone: 895-0251; e-mail: shelden@unlv.nevada.edu
Web site: www.sheldensays.com
Office Hours: Monday and Wed. 10:00-11:00 AM; Tuesday 1-4 PM
Graduate Assistant: Sarah Prather
Required Readings:
I. On my web site: look under UNLV Student’s Page
Randall G. Shelden, Controlling the Dangerous Classes: A History of Criminal Justice (2nd ed.). Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Martin Luther King, "Letter from a Birmingham Jail"
Suggested web sites:
http://216.198.222.116/childhistory/FRAMES/history.htm
http://www.childrensaidsociety.org/about/train
Aim of Course:
A famous philosopher George Santayana said “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” We usually fail to study history and we have condemned ourselves to repeat it. For this course, we will be reviewing some of the major themes in the history of the criminal and juvenile justice system. Specific histories of each of the major components of the criminal justice system (police, courts, corrections), plus juvenile justice will be examined via both readings and lectures. A special look at women and the criminal/juvenile justice system will also be examined. Finally, there will be a look ahead in the new century with an examination of the “crime control industry.” Among the specific themes to be covered during the course lectures will be that of race, class and gender bias throughout American history. Some coverage of pre-American developments will also be included via lectures (ancient societies and early British society). We will be constantly looking back into history with an eye to how it relates to today and the future. There will be a special focus, throughout the course, on the “war on drugs.” Several films will be shown, including one about the “orphan trains” (see above web site) and the drug war, among others.
Course Grading and Exams: Your grade in the course will be based upon your scores on three exams (each worth 100 points). For each exam, the grade will be based upon the following formula: 90% or more = A, 80-89% = B, 70-79% = C, 60-69% = D, below 60% = F. Final grades are based upon the following formula: 270-300 = A, 240-279 = B, 210-239 = C, 180-209 = D, below 180 = F. Grades of plus or minus will be given in borderline cases. Note: There will be no make-ups unless there is an extremely unusual situation, and then the student must contact our office prior to the scheduled exam.
Classroom Courtesy:
Please make every effort to arrive to class on time and stay until class is completed. However, if you are running late, I hope you do not miss class because of this. If you are late or have to leave early, please do so as quietly as possible. Positively no cell phones, beepers, etc. are permitted (turn them off before you get to class). And please do not talk while others (including the instructor) are talking. It is rude behavior and will not be tolerated.
Disability Statement: If you have a documented disability that may require assistance, you will need to contact the Disability Resource Center for coordination in your academic accommodations. The DRC is located in the Reynolds Student Services Complex in room 137. The DRC phone number is 895-0866 (TDD - 895-0652).
Dates Topic Reading Assignments
Aug. 25-27 Historical Overview Introduction
September 1 – Labor Day
Sept. 3 History from a Critical Perspective Introduction
Sept. 8-10 Development of Criminal Law Chapter 1; Letter From a Birmingham Jail
September 15-17 Case Study: Internment of Japanese Americans in World War II
Film: "Come See the Paradise"
Sept. 22 Police History Chapter 2
Review for first exam
September 29 First Exam (covering above assignments)
Oct. 1 No Class
Oct. 6-8 History of the Courts Chapter 3
Oct. 13-15 Case Study: Southern Justice - The Scottsboro Case
Film: "Heavens Fall"
Oct. 20 Prisons Chapter 4
Oct. 22 & 27 Film: "Brubaker"
Oct. 29 Juvenile Justice Chapter 5
Nov. 3 Film: "The Orphan Trains"
Nov. 5 Review for Second exam
Nov. 10 Second exam (covering assignments since first exam)
Nov. 12 No Class
Nov. 17 Women and Criminal Justice Chapter 6
Nov. 19 Film: "The Fire This Time"
Nov. 24 Film: "The Fire This Time" (cont'd)
Nov. 26 No Class
Dec. 1 Crime Control in the New Millennium Chapter 7
Dec. 3 Where do we go from here? Chapter 8
Review for final exam
Dec. 10 Final exam (covering assignments since second exam), 10:10AM