INTRODUCTION

There is certainly no escaping the relationship between the
question of race and crime.  In addressing the issue, it is almost
impossible to talk honestly about the interaction of the two without
offending or even angering both majority and minority group members.
The truth is much too terrible.  Race and racism continue to shape
American life.

This course addresses a number of issues:

(1)  emphasizes the contemporary realities associated with race
and crime from the standpoint of the historical interconnections of
the social, political and economic processes that shape the life
chances of African Americans;

(2)  discusses the definitional problems associated with the
concepts of race and crime;

(3)  addresses some of the explanatory issues related to minority
crime causation;

(4) policy implications associated with the interaction of race
and criminality.

EXPECTATIONS

Individuals who may perceive the materials or the topics
incongruous with their values, their assessment of the real world, or
who are unable to accept different explanations and/or viewpoints
should also reconsider their options.  All students are expected to do
the required readings, attend class regularly, take careful notes, and
submit assignments on time.  The professor reserves the right to make
assignments in addition to the ones presented on the course outline.

EVALUATION

Your grade will depend on several two-page papers that summarize
and critique the assigned readings, analyses of both Morrison's The
Bluest Eye and Sapphire's Push by exploring their relevant themes and
the relative merits of culture and social structure,  a position paper
(maximum length, 4 pages), and a final paper (maximum length, 10 pages
excluding a bibliography).  Late assignments will result in a 5-point
deduction for each day that the assignment is late.  All paper must
incorporate the format attached to this course outline. The following
weights will be given to each assignment:

			Morrison		20%
			Sapphire		20%
			Summary/Critique	10%
			Position Paper	20%
			Final Paper		20%
			Participation		05%
			Attendance		05%

Readings:
Butterfield, Fox (1995). "All God's Children: The Bosket Family and
the American Tradition of Violence."  New York: Avon Books

Mann, Coramae R.  (1993). "Unequal Justice:  A Question of Color."
Indiana University Press.

Morrison, Toni.[1970] 1994. "The Bluest Eye." New York: Plume Books.

Sapphire (1996). "Push." New York: Vintage Books.

Wilson, William Julius.  (1978) "The Declining Significance of Race:
Blacks and Changing American Institutions."  Chicago:  University of
Chicago Press.

Class Meeting:  Two 75 minute classes per week.  TR, 2:30-3:45P, SY
200

Instructor:  Professor Leon Pettiway, Criminal Justice Department