SOC 323 (B1)

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SOCIOLOGY of POLICING

Winter 2021 Instructor: Dr. Holly Campeau

Office Hours: By Appointment Email: [email protected] Course Delivery:

Course Day/Time:

The course is delivered through eClass. Evaluations are both synchronous (during scheduled class time) and asynchronous (completed at home).

Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am to 12:20pm.

COURSE PREREQUISITE: SOC 225 or SOC 327 or consent of instructor.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Examines the nature of policing, its structure and function from a sociological perspective. Focus on theoretical analyses of policing, history of policing, police-citizen relations, the

strategies, powers and culture of police, as well as its public and private forms.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: This course encourages students to examine policing in its institutional,

functional, and organizational forms. We will also examine major shifts and challenges faced by the institution of policing brought on by broad social and economic change in the 21st century. Students should note that this is NOT a course on Police Foundations, Police Procedure, or Administration of Policing. Students will develop sociological understanding of policing while practicing the skills of critical analysis and academic writing.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• analyze, synthesize, and problematize diverse research findings;

• make reasoned, well-supported, and coherent arguments about policing and the criminal justice system within a social context;

• assess social practices, programs, and policies;

• understand the ways in which power contributes to marginalization and the implications of these processes for criminal justice system practices;

• effectively communicate with diverse audiences in written, verbal, and other forms.

COURSE FORMAT: This course is a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning. A pre- recorded lecture will be posted on eClass every Tuesday. Some Thursdays (but not all; see schedule) will involve synchronous group discussion and participation via Zoom. As such, while some course components will be self-paced and can be done on your own time, there will also be times when you are required to log on at a specific time for discussions and exams. You must therefore be available during scheduled class time in order to succeed in this course. The required readings are critical to this course.

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Use of eClass and e-mail

: Class announcements will be posted on eClass. Messages for individual students will be mailed to university accounts only. Therefore, it is important that you check eClass and your ualberta account regularly. Failure to do so cannot be used as a reason for dispensation of term work policies and course work requirements. Please do not email the professor with questions that can be answered by consulting this syllabus (those emails will not receive response).

CLASSROOM ATMOSPHERE: Compared to an in-class environment, an online environment requires students to pay mind to their peers and their instructor in different ways. Technological interruptions, different levels of visual engagement, and the absence of in-person social interactional cues will inevitably impact the class experience. Students are to be patient and respectful of their classmates and professor, and will use the chat function in Zoom appropriately.

COURSE MATERIALS: Readings are available through the course website (eClass). Technological

equipment required for this course include a computer, speakers (or headphones/earbuds) and a microphone (camera is optional). You will also require the ability to access productivity software such as Google Apps or Microsoft Office, and a reliable internet connection with sufficient bandwidth to support watching online videos or taking part in online conferencing.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Participation: 10% Throughout (see *** weeks) 2. Writing Assignment #1: 25% January 29

3. Test #1: 20% February 25

4. Test #2: 20% April 8

5. Writing Assignment #2: 25% March 5 or April 16 (see description)

IMPORTANT

: Tests are “closed-book”. Each evaluation will be remotely monitored using Smart Exam Monitor (SEM) and ExamLock. SEM is a Chrome-browser web application integrated with eClass that digitally monitors students’ physical environment while they complete course evaluations and flags suspicious behaviour. ExamLock is a quiz integrity application that limits students’ screens to a quiz interface while an exam is being completed.

(1) Participation:

Each student will be assigned a “Discussion Group” (see eClass for your Group Number).

This will be the group with whom you will meet 5x throughout the term over Zoom (in Breakout Rooms) to discuss course content and questions I pose to the class. These meetings will take place during scheduled class time on designated Thursdays throughout the term (see weeks with ***). This is the only time throughout this course that I will strongly urge you to share your video, though I would never make this a requirement.

Each participation meeting is worth 2% of your final grade (2% x 5=10%). Each student will serve as the

“Group Rep” at least once.

(2) Writing Assignment #1: Reflection Paper - Dramaturgy in Policing

For this assignment, you must select a recent (from the last 2 years) media piece relating to policing. Drawing from and integrating course materials, students must write a media reflection paper which considers the following: (a) the themes of the course that are raised in the article and how they are addressed; and (b) the relevance of Peter Manning’s dramaturgical perspective on policing. You must provide a link to the news piece you’ve chosen (in your reference list). Further instruction will be provided in class.

Length: 750-800 words – approx. 3 pgs (not including bibliography)

Format: Times New Roman – 12 pt font – 1 inch margins – APA referencing

Submission: Submit your analysis on eClass by end of day January 29. There will be a link to submit papers which will begin assigning late penalties at 12:00AM (midnight).

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(3) Test #1:

TEST #1 will be held during class hours on February 25 and will include short answer and long answer questions.

(4) Test #2:

TEST #2 will be held during class hours on April 8 and will include short answer and long answer questions. (Test #2 is non-cumulative)

(5) Writing Assignment #2: Op-Ed

For this assignment, you will be asked to comment on one policing problem in an op-ed style paper. You will be given a selection of topics to choose from to serve as the focus of your paper. You must first define the problem, link it to something current (i.e., “the hook”), and make an argument about the problem that is grounded in three pieces of data or analysis you take from course material. Further instruction (and op-ed examples) will be provided on eClass.

Length: 900-1000 words (not including bibliography)

Format: Students may use their creativity here to structure their op-ed in way that resembles an actual newspaper or magazine article (Note: this is not required).

Submission: Submit your op-ed on eClass. This assignment features a rolling deadline of TWO possible dates based on the list of topics (posted on eClass):

• IF you choose a topic in CATEGORY A, you must submit by March 5.

• IF you choose a topic in CATEGORY B, you must submit by April 16.

This allows students the opportunity to optimize their schedules, as later deadlines are not always preferable as work begins to pile up toward the end of term. There will be a link to submit papers, which will begin assigning late penalties at 12:00AM

(midnight) on March 5 and April 16.

GRADING:

Marks for graded course requirements are given in percentages, to which letter grades are also assigned, according to the table below. The percentage mark resulting from all graded components produces the final letter grade for the course. Marks for grades are not curved or scaled.

Letter % Pts Descriptor

A+ 90-100 4.0 Excellent

A 86-89 4.0

A- 82-85 3.7

B+ 78-81 3.3

Good

B 74-77 3.0

B- 70-73 2.7

C+ 66-69 2.3

Satisfactory

C 62-65 2.0

C- 58-61 1.7

D+ 54-57 1.3 Poor

D 50-53 1.0 Minimal Pass

F 0-49 0.0 Fail

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COURSE SCHEDULE AND READINGS (Note: The reading list will be posted on eClass)

WEEK 1 (JAN 12-14): INTRODUCTION: Defining the “Police Idea”

WEEK 2 (JAN 19-21): THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES: Orthodoxy, Radicalism, and Symbolism WEEK 3 (JAN 26-28): HISTORY: Socio-Historical Context of Policing in Canada

WEEK 4 (FEB 2-4): POLICE CULTURE: What is it? Is it Changing?

*** Group Discussion

WEEK 5 (FEB 9-11): PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS: Police Legitimacy and Legal Cynicism

WEEK 6 (FEB 16-18): READING WEEK

WEEK 7 (FEB 23-25): TEST #1 on February 25, from 11:00 to 12:20, online WEEK 8 (MAR 2-4): PARADIGMS & PRACTICES: Part I

WEEK 9 (MAR 9-11): PARADIGMS & PRACTICES: Part II

WEEK 10 (MAR 16-18): VIOLENCE & MISCONDUCT: The Ugly Side of Policing

WEEK 11 (MAR 23-25): INNOVATIONS IN TECH & SURVEILLANCE: Body-Worn Cameras, Big Data, and A.I.

WEEK 12 (MAR 30 – APR 1): PLURAL FORMS: Private Policing and Security Networks WEEK 13 (APR 6-8): TEST #2 on April 8, from 11:00 to 12:20, online

WEEK 14 (APR 13-15): THE FUTURE OF POLICING: Guest Speaker and Course Wrap-Up

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ATTENDANCE, ABSENCES, AND MISSED GRADE COMPONENTS:

Regular attendance is essential for optimal performance. Regarding absences that may be excusable and procedures for addressing course components missed as a result, consult the Attendance section of the University Calendar.

Absence from Term Work:

Students are expected to take responsibility for making appropriate judgments to ensure that their assignment is submitted in a timely manner. It is also the student's responsibility to back up their work either electronically or by photocopying the work for their own reference.

Requests for extensions must be received in writing along with supporting documentation preferably well BEFORE the due date. Extension will only be granted if there are legitimate medical or compassionate grounds. Students will not be given extensions due to travel, employment, vacations or other personal commitments. As a matter of fairness to all students, you will be required to support any request for extensions with supporting documentation, which may include:

For incapacitating medical illness, students can present one of the following:

o “University of Alberta Medical Statement” signed by a doctor (this cannot be required, but must be accepted if provided in lieu of other documents).

o “Request for Excused Absence or Deferral of Term Work” Faculty of Arts form o Statutory Declaration" (to be obtained from the Office of the Registrar).

• For all other cases, such as domestic afflictions or religious convictions, the student should submit documentation appropriate to the situation. This could include the following:

o For a death in the family – a copy of the death certificate o For a religious conflict – a letter from the church or pastor o For a car accident – a copy of the accident report

o For other serious afflictions – consult the Instructor or Department about appropriate documents

Policy for Late Assignments:

Assignments are due as specified. Late papers will incur a penalty of 5% per day (including weekends), unless prior arrangements with the instructor have been made. Papers will not be accepted 10 days after the due date.

Policy for Missed Tests:

Missed tests will generally be assigned a grade of zero. Students are required to contact me within TWO working days following the missed test (or as soon as possible, considering the circumstances) to apply for an excused absence and arrange a make-up date/time.

Deferral of term work is a privilege and not a right; there is no guarantee that a deferral will be granted.

Misrepresentation of Facts to gain a deferral is a serious breach of the Code of Student Behaviour.

STUDENT RESOURCES:

The best all-purpose website for student services is: https://www.ualberta.ca/current-students.

Accessibility Resources

(1-80 SUB): The University of Alberta is committed to creating work and learning communities that inspire and enable all people to reach their full potential. Accessibility Resources promotes an accessible, inclusive, and universally designed environment. For general information or to register for services visit the Accessibility Resources webpage.

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Recommended Learning Resources

:

APA Citation Style at Purdue Online Writing Lab: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

University of Alberta Centre for Writers: http://www.c4w.arts.ualberta.ca/

LEARNING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and harassment. It does not tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment.

It is the policy of the University of Alberta that sexual violence committed by any member of the University community is prohibited and constitutes misconduct. Resources and more information can be found at https://www.ualberta.ca/campus-life/sexual-violence

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages, and cultures of the First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

Academic Integrity

“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of Student Behaviour (online at https://www.ualberta.ca/governance/) and avoid any behaviour which could potentially result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in suspension or expulsion from the University.”

All students should consult the Academic Integrity website. If you have any questions, ask your instructor.

An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student has handed in work that he or she could not possibly reproduce without outside assistance is obliged, out of consideration of fairness to other students, to report the case to the Associate Dean of the Faculty. See the Academic Discipline Process.

Audio or Video Recording

“Audio or video recording, digital or otherwise, of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the Instructor or as a part of an approved accommodation plan. Student or Instructor content, digital or otherwise, created and/or used within the context of the course is to be used solely for personal study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written consent from the content author(s).”

Course Outline Policy:

Policy about course outlines can be found in Course Requirements, Evaluation Procedures and Grading of the University Calendar.

Traditional Territorial Acknowledgement:

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages, and cultures of the First Nations, Métis, Inuit, and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

Copyright

: © Dr. Holly Campeau, Faculty of Arts, University of Alberta (2021). The pre-recorded lecture material cannot be duplicated or shared in any way. Likewise, class sessions cannot be recorded or shared.

Engaging in either of these will be considered a violation of the Code of Student Behaviour and can result in serious consequences.