SOC3101: Sociological Perspectives on the Criminal Justice System
How did the United States come to have the world’s largest prison population? This course examines the sociological factors behind the American punitive turn -- the shift toward tough-on-crime policies and mass incarceration. We will uncover how this transformation emerged from historical struggles among diverse groups, including politicians, economic elites, criminal justice workers, and social movements, each with overlapping and competing interests. We’ll also explore how mass incarceration has shaped the lives of different communities, paying special attention to its impacts on women, racialized groups, and immigrants. Students will gain a deeper understanding of how sociologists analyze the roots and consequences of America’s carceral state.
SOC4162: Criminal Procedure
in American Society
How do social forces shape criminal procedural rules? How do legal actors and criminalized people experience this process? We will explore these questions by examining the intersections between law and economy, politics, imperialism, culture, media, gender, and racialization. Course materials include empirical research, judicial decisions, documentaries, news stories, and more.
SOC4105: Sociology of Punishment
In this course, we will mobilize macro and meso-level sociological theories to examine criminal punishment, focusing on the economic, political, and social roots of mass incarceration and criminalization. We will examine the differences, strengths, and weaknesses of these theories and how they complement each other. We will study classical and contemporary texts and use them to analyze concrete topics in our present society by looking at the economy, culture, crime, media, and class, gender and racial inequalities. We will pay particular attention to historical continuities and changes in punishment practices and discourses.
SOC4161: Criminal Law
in American Society
In this course, we will mobilize sociolegal theories to examine criminal law, focusing on how capitalism, imperialism, gendering, and racialization shape the criminal punishment system in the United States. The course is structured into three parts. Part 1 introduces key theoretical frameworks that will be used to analyze the empirical readings in the subsequent sections. Part 2 includes chapters from three books that explore the roles of the executive, legislature, and judiciary in shaping the criminal justice system for both the powerful and the marginalized in the United States. Part 3 examines the globalization of American criminal law, including the exportation of U.S. approaches to criminalization and penal responses and the consequences of this international influence.
"Professor Cornelius cares deeply about the students in his class. He communicates his thoughts, ideas, and plans thoroughly and cares about the input of his students. Having a professor who views his students as more than students is essential for a positive learning environment. Not only does he care about his students, he also cares about the subject. He is passionate and knowledgable about the topics taught in class," SOC4161 student.
"One of the best professors I've had, Professor Cornelius made the class so interesting and fun," SOC3101 student.
"I also loved the books we read and class, and they truly changed my perspectives on the criminal justice system in terms of politics and race," SOC3101 student.
"Interactions with the class, making a comfortable and fun learning environment. Allowed for students to ask questions whenever and answered them thoroughly. Asked for students inputs on manners and took them into account," SOC4105 student.
"Professor Cornelius is one of the best Professors I have had. He came prepared to class every day, always checked in on us before starting lecture, and made sure all of our questions were answered. He is a great lecturer and easy to listen to, which has helped my learning tremendously. He has established professional relationships with us but also maintains approachability. He and his teaching make me want to do well!," SOC4162 student.