Dr. Xavier Scott

xscott@yorku.ca

Office hours:

I will hold in-person office hours from 10:30-11:20 on Wednesdays (location TBA). I will also hold virtual office hours (over zoom) by appointment (email to request this).

This course explores the concepts of responsibility and punishment, with a focus on the latter. We will be exploring questions such as: Why do we punish? What sort of goals and justifications exist for punishment? What approaches to punishment are most effective in achieving these goals? We will begin by exploring retributivist and utilitarian justifications for punishment. We will then take a critical look at punishment and the social role it plays in a ‘disciplinary society’. We will question the need for punishment and whether there are alternatives to the present system of punishment (i.e. courts and prisons). To this end, we will examine restorative justice as a potential alternative to carceral regimes of punishment.

Technical requirements for taking the course:

This course meets in-person. Assignments must be submitted through Moodle/eclass, so an internet connection will be needed. Readings will be located on the course website.

All readings will be available on eclass (as links or files), free of charge.

“Final course grades may be adjusted to conform to Program or Faculty grades distribution profiles.”

Lectures and discussions will take place in-person. Active participation is a core part of the course and will be necessary to do well. Readings will be available on eclass and the ‘notes assignment’ and the ‘final essay’ will be submitted on eclass. The final essay will be run through ‘turnitin.com’.

• Students will gain an appreciation for the different approaches to punishment, its goals, and its effects on individuals and society.
• Students will be able to think critically about the relationship between responsibility and punishment and to think of different ways of addressing crime.
• Students will work to develop their reading, writing, and public speaking skills.
• Students will develop critical thinking and communicative skills in philosophy; namely, the ability to articulate and defend a coherent argument, as well as the ability to absorb, synthesize and reflect upon complex information gained from reading assignments and classroom discussions.

Course policies

Grading:  The grading scheme for the course conforms to the 9-point grading system used in undergraduate programs at York (e.g., A+ = 9, A = 8, B+ - 7, C+ = 5, etc.).  Assignments and tests* will bear either a letter grade designation or a corresponding number grade (e.g.  A+ = 90 to 100, A = 80 to 90, B+ = 75 to 79, etc.)

(For a full description of York grading system see the York University Undergraduate Calendar - http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/2010-2011/academic/index.htm

Late Assignments:

• Late Notes Assignments: Because the Notes Assignment is designed to help you come to class prepared, late assignments will not be accepted. If students encounter extenuating circumstances (e.g. prolonged illness), an alternate assignment will be made available to them.
• Late Essays:
• A late penalty of 2% per day (including weekends) will apply to all papers submitted after the due date. Papers will not be accepted more than 2 weeks late.
• Extensions may be requested in advance, but not on the due date or later. The extension will reflect how early you requested it.

Missed Tests:  Students with a documented reason for missing a course test, such as illness, compassionate grounds, etc., which is confirmed by supporting documentation (e.g., doctor’s letter) may request accommodation from the Course Instructor. The instructor will schedule a make-up test for the student or provide another appropriate accommodation. All tests must be completed the week following the scheduled tests. Further extensions or accommodation will require students to submit a formal petition to the Faculty.

Use of Generative AI:

Note that unreported use of generative AI is a form of academic dishonesty and are grounds for discipline. All use of generative AI on the notes assignments and the final essay is prohibited. To help prevent use of generative AI on the final paper, draft copies of the paper will be requested (more information on this will be provided on the assignment outline).

IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS

All students are expected to familiarize themselves with the following information, available on the Senate Committee on Academic Standards, Curriculum & Pedagogy webpage (see Reports, Initiatives, Documents)  -  https://secretariat.info.yorku.ca/files/CourseInformationForStudentsAugust2012-.pdf

• Senate Policy on Academic Honesty and the Academic Integrity Website
• Ethics Review Process for research involving human participants
• Course requirement accommodation for students with disabilities, including physical, medical, systemic, learning and psychiatric disabilities
• Student Conduct Standards
• Religious Observance Accommodation