Assignment:
Part 1
1. "Quality of life" crimes refer to the laws that are meant to control "bad manners" in public places. "Quality of life" crimes underscore the tension between liberty and order in a constitutional democracy. Discuss the problems associated with trying to provide individuals with liberty while at the same time attempting to maintain order in a constitutional democracy. Which is more important to students and why?
2. The "broken windows" theory states there is a link between minor quality of life offenses and more serious crimes. The empirical findings regarding the existence of such a connection are mixed.
a. Discuss some examples that support the theory as well as some that fail to support the theory.
b. Discuss whether or not "broken windows" issues should be addressed by law enforcement.
c. Why or why not should law enforcement be responsible for "broken windows" issues in their communities?
3. Most people are more worried about bad public manners than they are about serious crimes. These results have been found in a number of studies conducted in the U.S. Despite these findings, there continues to be a focus of the courts, politicians, and academics on more serious crimes. Discuss the reasons for the disconnect and what might be done to change focus.
a. Discuss whether focus should change.
4. Cities have sought civil gang injunctions (CGIs) to control gang behavior, but the evidence is mixed as to civil injunctions' effectiveness.
a. What are some of the problems that have been identified with CGIs?
b. What are some of the positive benefits of such civil control?
5. The term "victimless crime" applies to: (1) consenting adults, not minors and (2) to crimes committed by adults who don't see themselves as victims of their behavior. An example of such a victimless crime is prostitution. Prostitution is an ancient business, prospering in all cultures at all times no matter the condemnation of religion and morals.
a. Should "victimless crimes" be illegal? Does it depend on the "type" of "victimless crime"?
b. Why do you think that this country has seen an increase in this type of criminal legislation over the past few decades?
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Read the article on the San Francisco Matrix Program at the link below. You should brief the article then discuss whether you agree with the holding the case or not providing support for your argument.
https://www.prop1.org/legal/joyce1b.htm
2. Read the article below online. Write a brief paper discussing the results of the research and how applying a theory to another country than where it originated must deal with issues related to the social and culture differences.
https://www.economist.com/node/12630201
3. Assign students to go to the link below and review the information provided there. Answer the following questions:
a. Is the site in favor or, against, or neutral regarding the legality of prostitution?
b. What is the purpose of the site?
c. What are the politics of prostitution listed on the site?
d. What arguments does the site offer in favor of and opposed to legalization of prostitution?
https://sites.google.com/site/prostitution1/
4. Read the article at the link below on a program San Francisco is using to target panhandling. Answer the following question
a. How does it compare to the Matrix program?
b. Are you in favor of the program?
c. Why or why not?
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/SF-tries-to-curb-panhandling-with-puppies-3631490.php
Part 2
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What risks did the authors of the Constitution take in the Revolutionary War?
a. How would they have been seen differently by historians had the United States not won the war?
b. Why is it important to protect the citizens of a democratic country from abuses based on treason statutes?
2. The most-argued issues in material support cases include: (1) Due process-is the term "material support" void for vagueness?
a. And (2) First Amendment-does providing material support violate the right to free speech and association?
b. We see in our ongoing current events the same struggle that the drafters of the Constitution witnessed and addressed: the "push-and-pull" between our cherished individual liberties versus the role of government to protect and preserve its people and the country in which they live. Discuss this "push-and-pull" and how individual ideology affects the manner in which people address problems of void for vagueness and violations of free speech and association.
3. The most commonly prosecuted crime against the state since September 11, 2001 involves alleged terrorists or terrorist organizations. Why is this the case?
a. Why is providing material support the predominant type of case?
b. What problems exist with prosecuting these types of cases?
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Research and write a paper about the current status of the John Kiriakou case.
2. Research the Rosenberg case. Discuss the arguments regarding the case and whether you believe the Rosenbergs should have been pardoned.
3. Research the issue of balancing security and freedom during wartime. Include an examination of the ways in which the crime of treason as included in the Constitution has helped to maintain a balance today.
4. Read one section of the 9-11 commission report on at the link below. Outline the findings of the commission.
https://www.9-11commission.gov/