CRJ 515 Objectives Alignment Map

Objectives Assignments Assignment Prompts

Module 1 News Article Assignment 1
Find a recent article in a reputable news outlet that
1. Explain the difference between "sex" and News Article highlights gender differences / experiences.
"gender," and how gender is created and is Assg. 1
culturally defined and specific; Exam 1 Discussion 1
Module 2 Why is it important that theories describe female
1. 1. Differentiate various strands of feminist theory Discussion 1 criminality? How have critical theories evolved
and various definitions of feminism; Exam 1 over time to address the exclusion of women?
2. 2. Describe the diversity among women and their Discussion 1
issues and the tension this creates for both feminist Exam 1 Exam 1—300-word essay on each prompt
1) Explain how and why feminist methods and
and feminist criminological theory;
theories can be inclusive of both men and women,
3. 3. Distinguish the various mainstream Exam 1 yet "malestream" theories, generally, are not.
criminological theories and how they succeed or 2) What is the difference between sex and gender?
fail in explaining female offending; How do sex and gender affect the Criminal Legal
4. 4. Explain the varying ways women's pathways to Discussion 1 System?
crime differ from men's; Exam 1 3) List and define 3 different feminist theories.
5. 5. Discuss the "gender gap" in offending; News Article Explain how these theories apply to the CLS.
Assg. 2 4) Explain the gender gap in offending. In what
Exam 1 ways are women and men similar? Where do they
differ? How has this gap changed over time?
Module 3
1. Describe the ways that men's and women's rates Exam 2 News Article Assignment 2
and types of offending differ, Find a recent article in a reputable news outlet that
2. Explain the sex discrimination that may be found News Article discusses a crime committed by a female.
in our criminal justice system, Assg. 3
3. Illustrate the difference between gender-specific Exam 2 Exam 2 —300-word essay on each prompt
and gender-neutral laws, and how both may have a 1) Explain how "benevolent sexism" comes at a
disparate impact on some but not others, cost to women and girls in the CLS.
4. Identify the significance of the intersectionality Exam 2 2) List 3 criminal offenses in which men's and
of oppressions to the practice of justice in our women's experiences are likely to differ. In which
ways, and why, will these experiences be different?
criminal legal system.
3) Discuss the pros and cons of gender-specific
Module 4 laws and gender-neutral laws.
1. Summarize the factors that have influenced the Discussion 2 4) Define intersectionality as it relates to the CLS.
increasing incarceration rates for women, Provide an example.
2. Explain the differences in the experiences and News Article
social impacts of incarcerating men and women in Assg. 4 News Article Assignment 3
Find a recent article in a reputable news outlet that
relation to familial, health, mental health, Exam 3 discusses sex discrimination (specifically with
rehabilitation, and treatment programs, regard to the criminal justice system, if possible)
Module 5
1. Describe the ways that sex and sexuality News Article Discussion 2
underpin GBA. Explain the gendered experiences Assg. 5 How does the notion of benevolent sexism affect
of victims/survivors of GBA in the CLS. Exam 3 women's incarceration and sentencing? Do you
2. Explain the assault experiences of girls in Exam 3 think benevolent sexism is a problem?
disadvantaged areas.
Module 6 News Article Assignment 4
Find a recent article in a reputable news outlet that
1. Describe the myriad ways that sex and sexuality Discussion 3 relates to female incarceration, specifically with
underpin the social control of women and girls, Exam 4 regard to its impact on families, health, mental
2. Analyze the nature of rape and legal protections News Article health, rehabilitation, or treatment [if possible]
for victims of GBA, Assg. 6
Exam 4
3. Explain the gendered experiences of Exam 4
victims/survivors of GBA in the CLS. Discussion 3
Module 7
1. Explain the history of workplace discrimination
and intersectionality of discrimination as it impacts
women specifically,
2. Illustrate the barriers to and successes in
obtaining employment for women in the criminal
legal industry,
3. Describe the various roles to which women
historically have been relegated to in the CLS,
4. Compare and contrast the differences in the
barriers encountered by women in policing, in
incarceration, and in the courts,
Module 8
1. Describe the changes in the CLS response to
women and girls offending,
2. Evaluate the changing responses of the CLS to
women working within it,
3. Analyze the potential for best practices for the
future to implement changes to benefit women and
girls in the CLS.
victims? Besides laws, what other interventions are needed to support GBA victims? Is what we are currently doing in
America adequate? What would you change if you could?
Exam 3 —300-word essay on each prompt
News Article 1) Explain the full extent of the concept “Gender
Assg. 7 Based Abuse.”
2) Pick one of the 3 hypotheses of gender
Exam 5
discrimination (e.g. chivalry, equal treatment, evil
News Article woman) and explain what it means and how it
Assg. 7 relates to gendered treatment in the CLS.
Exam 5 3) List and explain 3 factors that contribute to the
Exam 5 differential treatment of women during processing.
Is it inappropriate to consider a person’s sex when
processing through the criminal justice system?
Exam 5
4) In Getting Played by Jody Miller, explain the
victimization of women in these disadvantaged
neighborhoods. What role does gender (both female
and male) play in their victimization experiences?
News Article (e.g. masculinity, gender roles, etc.)
Assg. 8
Discussion 4 News Article Assignment 5
Find a recent article in a reputable news outlet that
Discussion 4 discusses a victim of abuse
Final Paper Discussion 3
In your opinion, are current laws adequate for GBA

News Article Assignment 6

Find a recent article in a reputable news outlet that discusses sex assault or abuse in some form (e.g., a specific case,
discussion of sexual assault laws, etc)

Exam 4—300-word essay on each prompt

1) Describe how women’s prisons have changed over time. What factors contributed to the changing philosophies over
time?
2) What is institutionalized sexism and how does it disadvantage women?
3) Explain how rape may not always be a crime but, instead may be considered a “highly regulated activity.”
4) List and describe 2 ways sex and sexuality are used in society to control girls and women

News Article Assignment 7

Find a recent article in a reputable news outlet that discusses sex discrimination (specifically with regard to attorneys,
judges, police officers, or other female members of the criminal justice system if possible)

Exam 5 —300-word essay on each prompt

1) Explain and/or describe what is meant by the "intersectionality" of subordinate, stigmatized, or oppressed social
statuses and how it affects women's employment in the criminal legal system.
2) In which CJ careers have women made the most advances in the past century? Why and how have these advances
happened? Describe the journey to get there.
3) List and explain 4 differences in the American Criminal Legal System 50 years ago compared to today, regarding
women's involvement.

News Article Assignment 8

Find a recent article in a reputable news outlet that discusses any kind of criminal justice response to female offending.
This can even include Supreme Court cases.

Discussion 4
Where do you see the greatest potential for beneficial change for women in the CLS and why?

Final—8-page research paper

Provide an overview of the issues women face as victims, offenders, and workers in the criminal justice system. What do
you see as the greatest need for research, or implementation of new research, to alleviate "the invisible woman" problem in
our criminal legal system, and why?