Part IV. COURTS AND CORRECTIONS continued

INTRODUCTION: The second section of Part IV deals with the court system and issues of social justice and inequality. The readings examine whether crimes may be related to larger economic and social inequalities. Furthermore the readings explore whether current processes and procedures in the justice system disadvantage the poor. You will write a (4-7 pages double-spaced) persuasive/argumentative essay. A persuasive/argumentative essay uses reason to show that one idea is more legitimate than another idea. It attempts to persuade a reader to adopt a certain point of view or to take a particular action. This type of essay must present theory, evidence, facts, or examples, in order to defend ones claims. You are required to use data you have gathered from your readings. Outside research is welcomed, but you will be graded (please see grading rubric) on how well you summarize, integrate, and theorize on information we have covered in class thus far.

ESSAY QUESTION: You are a Criminal Justice Professor at NMSU and have been called to give expert testimony at a U.S. Congressional hearing on whether or not economic inequality impacts the outcome of court cases and the ability of our system to serve justice. You must argue whether or not the criminal justice system and our current court system is biased in the treatment of the rich and the poor. You must define, explain, and give examples of Multiple-Strategies of Utilitarianism and Rawls-Justice and Fairness and discuss how these theories relate to your argument. You may also discuss data from “Crime and the American Dream” and “Rich Get Richer and the Poor Get Prison” book chapters. Be sure to define and give examples of each ethical theory and compare and contrast the theories to one another. You will be graded on your ability to connect the required readings from class to your argument. Please provide concrete examples to defend your claims.

DIRECTIONS: Please submit your Essay (4 to 7 pages double-spaced) as a Word or Pdf document in the Essays section.

ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINES

The guidelines for the assignments are as follows:

4-7 pages in length

APA (American Psychological Association) Formatting required

In-text Citations and Reference page is required (citations according to APA standards)

No Abstract is required

Doublespaced

Using Times New Roman 12pt Font

Please no messing with the margins

Formal grammar, syntax and organization are expected