PBJ 300: The Global Nature of Crime and Justice in Puerto Rico

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1 PBJ 300: The Global Nature of Crime and Justice in Puerto Rico Dr. Omara Rivera-Vazquez Q3 Course Jan-March Mahar Hall Tues & Thurs Office: :35am-10:55am Office Hours: TBA Program Description: This program encompasses a broad-cross section of public justice issues including human rights, violence, drug trafficking, drug abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, and police training in Puerto Rico. The program begins at SUNY- Oswego in Spring 2013 as a Q3 course. Students will enroll in PBJ 300. During the months of January to March the course will meet twice a week. Students will learn both Spanish vocabulary terms related to law enforcement as well as historical and cultural awareness issues as they relate to Public Justice. Students will also do research and analyze PR local laws and regulations and compare those with US laws. The second portion of the course takes place in Puerto Rico. We will spend one week (Spring Break) in Aguadilla City, located in the western part of the Island. Several guest speakers- both educators and experts- will address the students on topics such as: 1. Puerto Rico Human Rights and Police Intervention 2. Human Rights and Prisoners Rights in Puerto Rico 3. Violence, Drug Trafficking, and Drug Abuse in Puerto Rico as Global Problem 4. Patterns and Trends: Intersections of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence in Puerto Rico It is expected that some of these activities will take place at a local Private University and that SUNY-Oswego students will be able to interact with local Puerto Rico students in academic settings. Moreover, students will be able to visit several agencies in the Island including, but not limited to: 1 P a g e

2 1. Colegio Universitario de Justicia Criminal (Puerto Rico Police Training Academy) 2. Instituto de Ciencias Forenses (Puerto Rico Forensic Institute) 3. Instituto Correccional de las Cucharas en Ponce (PR Prison in the City of Ponce) 4. Programa de Cortes de Drogas en Mayaguez (Drug Courts Program in the City of Mayaguez) 5. Escuela Industrial de Mujeres de Vega Alta (PR Women s Prison in the City of Vega Alta) Students will also have the opportunity to engage in cultural activities such as visits to: Old San Juan, Western Beaches of Rincon/Aguadilla/Isabela, and local restaurants. Program Objectives: After participating in the program students will be able to: 1. Demonstrate basic knowledge of law enforcement technical terminology in Spanish. 2. Analyze global issues concerning human rights, violence, drug trafficking, drug abuse and police training and how these are handled by local agencies in Puerto Rico. 3. Examine Puerto Rico s local laws and regulations impacting these global issues. 4. Compare and contrast the US Criminal Justice System and the PR Criminal Justice System. 5. Reflect on issues concerning human rights, violence, drug trafficking, drug abuse and police training while advocating for social justice in Puerto Rico. Course Enrollment and Requirements: This program is open to all Majors. SPA 101 is required. The following courses are a plus: PBJ 101: Introduction to Criminal Justice SPA102: Continued Elementary Spanish or equivalent The program visits are required components of the 3-credit course: PBJ 300: The Global Nature of Crime and Justice in PR. The course will meet weekly during Q3 and a course syllabus will be provided outlining all course requirements as well as evaluation criteria. 2 P a g e

3 Textbook: ISBN-10: Authors: Rush & Houston Title: Spanish for Law Enforcement, 1/E Additional reading materials will be provided online. Assessment: Reflection Paper: Reflect and analyze global issues concerning human rights, violence, drug trafficking, drug abuse and police training while advocating for social justice in Puerto Rico. Use 12pt font, 5-7 pages double space, APA format. (40%) Short Oral Presentation: 15 Minute Oral Presentation discussing PR laws and regulations as compared and contrasted with US regulations. Students can also select one component of the PR Criminal Justice System they would like to research on and compare to the same component at the Federal/State levels in the continental US. (30%) Journal: Journal entries need to be made for everyday the class meets and while in PR. Students will analyze their own understanding and perceptions on the issues addressed in the Program. This is an opportunity to individually examine how cultural and historical issues play a role on the nature of crime and justice in PR. (20%) Final Presentation: Upon return to Oswego, wrap up and evaluation. (10%) Presentation Dates and Evaluation Criteria/Rubrics will be discussed during the first day of class. Other Notes: If you have a disabling condition which may interfere with your ability to successfully complete this course, please contact the Office of Disability Services. Please refer to our campus policy on Intellectual Integrity: "Intellectual integrity on the part of all students is basic to individual growth and development through college course work. When academic dishonesty occurs, the teaching/learning climate is seriously undermined and student growth and development are impeded. For these reasons, any form of intellectual dishonesty is a serious concern and is therefore prohibited." What this means is that ANY form of plagiarism is considered a very serious offense and will be pursued. If you are found to have plagiarized, you will not pass this course. thus you will not graduate. 3 P a g e

4 Retention of Graded Materials Education requires evaluation, both of individual students performance as well as the performance of an academic program as a whole. Work you submit for grading in this course may be retained by the Department in order to assess the quality of curriculum we offer to students of Public Justice. Cell Phone Policy Cell phones will be turned off during class. There will be NO text messaging. Cell phones will be relinquished to the professor while students take exams if found to be in use. There will be NO texting during presentations. Class participation: Attendance and class participation are mandatory. Because of the nature of this course, I reserve to fail any student who misses too many classes. 4 P a g e

5 Tentative Program Schedule: January 28- Instruction Begins, Introductions, Requirements and Evaluation Criteria Week of Feb 4- Historical Background & Spanish for law enforcement Week of Feb 11- Historical Background &Spanish for law enforcement Week of Feb 19- PR Local laws and Regulations pertaining to Human Rights and Drug Trafficking Week of Feb 25- PR Local Laws and Regulations pertaining to Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Week of March 4- Issues of Cultural and Historical Awareness I Week of March 11- Issues of Cultural and Historical Awareness II Saturday March 16- Flight from JFK/SYR to Aguadilla Sunday March 17- Acclimatization: Visit to Hacienda el Jibarito/Cultura Toro Al diente, San Sebastian PR traditional dinner Monday March 18- Discussion Panel on Issues Related to Crime and Justice in PR; lunch with local students & evening Community Service Experience with At-Risk Children and Youth at Casa Juan Bosco in Aguadilla City Tuesday, March 19- Site Visit: Police Academy & Institute of Forensic Science Wednesday, March 20- Site Visit: Drug Court Program in Mayaguez & Dinner at Rincon s Lighthouse Thursday, March 21- Site Visit: Las Cucharas Prison & Plaza del Caribe Shopping Center in Ponce Friday, March 22- Site Visit: PR Women s Prison in Vega Alta & Old San Juan and local restaurants Saturday, March 23: Open day/aguadilla Beach Sunday, March 24: Return flight to JFK/SYR Wednesday, March 27: Wrap up, Final Presentations and Evaluations 5 P a g e

6 Housing and Meals: Students will be housed in shared hotel accommodations in Aguadilla City. Breakfast and dinner will be coordinated for participants while on the Island. Students will be expected to bring spending money for personal expenses. Safety Measures: Students will be staying in Aguadilla City located in Western part of the Island. The city is outside the metropolitan area and the western region is probably one of the safest areas around the Island. Nonetheless, safety tips will be discussed with students before departure. In addition, a faculty member and/or a site coordinator will be present during all program activities while on the Island. It is important to note that violent crimes against tourists are rare. However, students are instructed to exercise common sense and caution, especially if they go out at night. 6 P a g e