Assignment:
Instructions:
Below are nine questions; however, students will only answer five questions of their choosing. Students are to upload completed papers to Canvas. Papers should be typed in 12point font and times new roman and all papers must be uploaded in a Microsoft doc or PDF. Students are encouraged to study each of the questions thoroughly before choosing, and are expected to use course readings and other materials shared/viewed in class to answer the questions. Each question is worth four points and requires essay answers. Lastly, and most importantly, students are required to comprehensively answer the questions.
Therefore, one short little paragraph per answer will not suffice as a fully comprehensive answer. Lengthy submissions are expected. We've read a lot, watched many videos, and had many conversations; therefore, students should have the ability to write fully comprehensive and thick answers. You will be assessed on your level of critical analysis as well. Do not plagiarize your answers.
Upon writing your answers be sure to clearly outline the questions you're choosing to answer (without rewriting questions in your documents); if it's not apparent which question you're answering (and I have to guess, even if the guessing is easy) I will automatically deduct points. Just providing the appropriate number of the question to which you're answer is good enough.
1. How does the documentary, Prison State relate to course readings? Write a comprehensive essay answer substantiating your statements. Be sure to include at least two of the main characters (and their segments/stories) from the documentary in facilitating your answer. Moreover, be sure to cite relating course readings/materials as well.
2. What does Middlemass mean when she describes a "felony as a social disability"? Do you agree or disagree with this statement and why or why not? Be sure to rely on course materials, and films watched in class to help substantiate your claims.
3. In the case of motherhood, Roberts wrote, "Although society defines all mothers as selfless, societal concepts of race and class determine the meaning of maternal selflessness" (p. 103). In the Netflix series First and Last, episode one, we are introduced to several storylines that depict the differences of motherhood (in and out of the jail). Why is it so important to consider intersectionality when assessing motherhood particularly for women returning home from prison, or for those who may have children in prison? Be sure to rely on course materials to substantiate your claims.
4. In chapter two, Middlemass has two sections titled Living in a Cage and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. After reading these two sections, is the prison (and its effects inside) potentially a public safety hazard to the outside public once prisoners are released? That is, do prisons have the ability to create worst people with additional behavioral abnormalities than before their incarceration? Be sure to rely on course materials to substantiate your claims.
5. In Gurusami's article she talks about Hypervigilant Motherwork. In the Prison State documentary, particularly Crystal's storyline, as well as in the Stick Up Kid documentary, we are presented with two examples of motherwork. Are there traces of Hypervigilant Motherwork in these stories? Compare and contrast these storylines. Be sure to rely on course materials to substantiate your claims.
6. Middlemass' chapter three gives an in-depth overview of housing. In what ways does the prison impede one's access to housing? What are the politics behind this? Would you consider exconvicts inability to access housing a continuing punishment-and; therefore, cruel and unusual punishment, why or why not? Be sure to rely on course materials to substantiate your claims.
7. In what critical ways does Middlemass' chapter five tie into Alonza's reality from the Stick Up Kid documentary?
8. In what ways does immigration complicate our understanding of motherhood and fatherhood? Be sure to rely on course materials to substantiate your claims.
9. According to our last two articles, the racialized focus of mass incarceration in the US is changing. What is driving these changes and what is likely to be the impact and consequences of this change in direction on families and society, and what may be some solutions?