Instructor: Jim Thomas                                                      jthomas@sun.soci.niu.edu
Tuesday: 6 to 8:40 p.m.                                                      DuSable 378
Class meetings: variable                                                   Phone: (815) 753-6436
Prison trips: (variable; at least 8 anticipated)

This is an experimental course focusing primarily on Illinois adult and juvenile correctional
institutions. The course combines hands-on prison experiences with an historical and 
administrative overview of the legal, political, and policy changes in Illinois prisoners, along 
with the forces that have shaped them.
The course is structured around intense prison tours, including multi-day trips, guest seminars, 
and individual projects derived first-hand analyses and exploration. The course will include
indepth readings of policy and practices in Illinois, along with selected
relevant readings about the theory of incarceration. 

The class is intended to integrate practical hands-on experiences with academic exercises that
connect the theory of punishment to existing practices.

To derive full benefit of the class, students are encouraged to become
members of the NIU student chapter of the American Correctional Association.

Prerequisites:  A grade of C or higher in Soci 388; OR completion of Soci 587; OR NIU-ACA 
membership; OR by permission of the Instructor.

You must also be able to attend PRISON TRIPS