SOC 201 and 310 : October 17

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

Criminology

Today in class, I would like you to review your assigned reading and I would like each of you to offer a way you would modify the current judicial system in dicussion.

For next class, please review these handouts. We will be discussing the role of censorship in regards to its legal necessity, and the issue of obscenity.


Death and Dying

I hope you did your reading.

In continuing with our Homicide unit, please discuss the following question.
What factors do you believe excuse some one from being responsible for a death when it comes to matters of personal control for one's actions? Psychological illness? Extreme distress? Introduction of an influential outside source?

For next class, please read Anne Sexton's poem Suicide Note.

Comments

Re: Death and Dying

[actingltcrumpet.livejournal.com]

Archie keeps trying to think of a serious, articulate answer but keeps getting distracted by Marty's singing. He's actually kind of glad about this, though, as this class tends to bring out a more somber side of him.

"Psychological illness, certainly. But then, I think the question may come down to whether or not the psychologically ill person is under anyone else's care, and if so, did the caretaker do everything within reason to keep his charge in check? Did they have friends who might have realized the potential danger? Did the --"

He stops himself short before saying "Did the ship's junior officers have justification to mutiny against a clearly insane captain before he brought further harm to the crew?" He's not sure where the thought came from, anyway.

Re: Death and Dying

[drgrissom.livejournal.com]

"That is a very important question, and yes, I do believe those factors must be considered in the equation, although the answer to that question may be more complex than we can deal with in this class. Our responsibilities to eliminate clearly unjust leadership are undefined, you're right. We must use our own moral and ethical codes as a guideline. Thank you, Archie."