Writing Assignment II Instructions: Drawing on the readings in the section entitled “Race and Punishment” (Oshinsky, 1996; Alexander, chapters 1-6; NRC, Chapter 3, pp 91-101; Mauer 1999; Pettit & Western 2004; 2001; Mauer & King, 2007; Bridges & Crutchfield, 1988; Britt, 2000; Sorensen et al. 2003; Mauer, 2011), discuss the state of African Americans, from an historical and contemporary perspective, in the American criminal justice system; providing descriptive (i.e., factual) information about the likelihood of incarceration – as well as some of the reasons offered for this concentration – and the many consequences this has on African Americans (from an educational and cultural – i.e., street corner – perspective). Moreover, discuss the issues of racial disparities (blacks vis-à-vis whites) in sentencing (i.e., annual incarceration rates), focusing on the regional variation in sentencing, and the many different perspectives offered to account for said disparity (e.g., differential involvement, bias/discrimination, social standing). As always, students are encouraged to only borrow from the aforementioned readings, and to make a concerted attempt to include each of the readings in their answer. Format: The summary/critique must NOT exceed three double-spaced pages. The assignments MUST be typed, with 1” margins throughout the document. All students must use 12-point, Times New Roman Font. All assignments must be double-spaced, including between paragraphs. Please indent all new paragraphs. Grading Procedures: The assignment will be evaluated based on how well the student addressed each part of the question, and moreover, how effectively they incorporate all of the readings into their answer. It goes without saying that the assignments should adhere to all of the popular conventions of the English language, and be virtually free of all egregious grammatical/spelling errors. Writing Assignment II Instructions: Drawing on the readings in the section entitled “Race and Punishment” (Oshinsky, 1996; Alexander, chapters 1-6; NRC, Chapter 3, pp 91-101; Mauer 1999; Pettit & Western 2004; 2001; Mauer & King, 2007; Bridges & Crutchfield, 1988; Britt, 2000; Sorensen et al. 2003; Mauer, 2011), discuss the state of African Americans, from an historical and contemporary perspective, in the American criminal justice system; providing descriptive (i.e., factual) information about the likelihood of incarceration – as well as some of the reasons offered for this concentration – and the many consequences this has on African Americans (from an educational and cultural – i.e., street corner – perspective). Moreover, discuss the issues of racial disparities (blacks vis-à-vis whites) in sentencing (i.e., annual incarceration rates), focusing on the regional variation in sentencing, and the many different perspectives offered to account for said disparity (e.g., differential involvement, bias/discrimination, social standing). As always, students are encouraged to only borrow from the aforementioned readings, and to make a concerted attempt to include each of the readings in their answer. Format: The summary/critique must NOT exceed three double-spaced pages. The assignments MUST be typed, with 1” margins throughout the document. All students must use 12-point, Times New Roman Font. All assignments must be double-spaced, including between paragraphs. Please indent all new paragraphs. Grading Procedures: The assignment will be evaluated based on how well the student addressed each part of the question, and moreover, how effectively they incorporate all of the readings into their answer. It goes without saying that the assignments should adhere to all of the popular conventions of the English language, and be virtually free of all egregious grammatical/spelling errors.
