Module 7.2 Reading: Chapter 12, Criminal justice

Textbook readings

In order to be prepared for the quizzes, exams, and classes to follow SOC 11, you will need to have read the text thoroughly. Click through the tabs below for more information about the chapter overview, objectives, and support for your success.

Overview

In this chapter, you will cover criminal justice, and both how social workers work for an against this system. Make sure that you use all the tools in the chapter to help you understand the content, such as graphs, diagrams, examples, sidebars, "Time to Think" boxes, the summary at the end, and the "Key Terms" list. You may see some of the discussion questions or exercises at the end of the chapter in the assignments/discussions, but mainly they are there for you to think critically about what you have read. If you find that you are having trouble working through those items after reading, you may need to go back and review the chapter again before attempting the module quiz.

Learning Objectives

After you've read the chapter, you will be able to:

Identify and describe important concepts and terms in the criminal justice system.
Describe and define the differences and tension between social work and criminal justice perspectives concerning criminal behavior.
Explain the role of social workers in the criminal justice system.
Discuss contemporary criminal justice topics related to social work practice.
Describe and analyze how specific population groups are advantaged and disadvantaged in the criminal justice system.
List and explain areas to advocate for change and reform in the criminal justice system.

Tips for Success

Unsure on how to take good notes from a textbook chapter? UNC Chapel Hill has a short and easy to understand guide on how to take textbook notes (Links to an external site.), which is definitely both an art and an exercise in trial and error before you figure out what works for you.
Make sure you complete your reading before the week's other assignments, discussions, or quizzes.
Having a difficult time focusing? Consider some of the following techniques:
- Schedule your reading time and write it into your calendar. Tip: Try not to schedule more than two or three hours at a time if you can avoid it -- we can only absorb so much information at one time.
- If possible, do your reading in a specific, clutter-free location where you are comfortable but will remain focused and alert (such as a chair by a window -- not in your bed!). Reminder: The libraries are now open for study! Hours are frequently changing, but make sure you check out the library website for current information.
- Consider a "reading buddy" -- someone who is willing to either get together in person or get on a FaceTime or Zoom call with you and read together (cameras on, but no talking!). Note that this only works if you are not distracted by the device you are using to be on the call.
- Unless you're on a call with your reading buddy, avoid reading a physical textbook in front of a computer (which can be distracting), and if you are using an electronic version of the text, make sure you have the book "maximized" on your screen to minimize distractions from other windows.
- Unless you're on a call with your reading buddy, put your phone and any other electronic distractions on Do Not Disturb and place them in another room (or at least, somewhere that you would have to get up to retrieve them).
- Make sure you have a pen and a note pad nearby to write down things you need to come back to later (mine often is an entire an Amazon shopping list after an evening of work).
- Utilize the Pomodoro Technique (Links to an external site.) to give yourself defined, focused work periods (and breaks with definite ends!). I like BeFocusedPro (Links to an external site.) as a timer app, but there are lots of apps you can use (or just the timers on your phone).
- Put on some music without lyrics to drown out other sounds that may distract you, and to help create your mental workspace. YouTube is great for finding ambient/study music.
If you are still struggling, remember I am here to help! Please join me at office hours on Fridays from 5-6pm, or make an appointment. College is hard, you don't have to tackle it alone!

Reminder

After reviewing the information from each section above, click on the Next button to continue through the module!