Grand Canyon – JUS 520 All Week Discussions

JUS 520 Grand Canyon All Week Discussions

JUS 520 Grand Canyon Week 1 Discussion 1

Is justice an easily defined concept? Why or why not?

JUS 520 Grand Canyon Week 1 Discussion 2

What exactly is justice? Is justice a value or a principle? Is it personal or is it a societal goal?

JUS 520 Grand Canyon Week 2 Discussion 1

Restorative justice programs in the United States that have demonstrably succeeded are largely within juvenile justice systems. What is it about juvenile justice models that afford restorative justice programs the best chance to succeed? Support your answer with examples where appropriate.

JUS 520 Grand Canyon Week 2 Discussion 2

Are the success stories of restorative justice in juvenile programs accurate in being defined as successful, or is success being claimed to support other social and political agendas? Why or why not? Provide examples where appropriate.

JUS 520 Grand Canyon Week 3 Discussion 1

Has the traditional model of criminal punishment failed in the United States? Why or why not? Would an even more traditional system deter crime, or is deterrence no longer a significant aspect of addressing crime in the United States? Provide examples

JUS 520 Grand Canyon
Week 3 Discussion 2

The construction of new federal penitentiaries continues. Is
the construction of new high security prisons vital to the ongoing interests of
justice in the United States? Why or why not? Do we have too few, too many, or
just enough prison beds in the United States?

JUS 520 Grand Canyon
Week 4 Discussion 1

Given the unique nature and quality of life on a Native
American tribal reservation, justify why restorative justice can work in a
tribal community. Do the lack of cohesion and the presence, in varying degrees,
of chaos prevent restorative justice from working effectively? Does the short
term versus the long term impact success? Why or why not.

JUS 520 Grand Canyon
Week 4 Discussion 2

Can a focus on peacemaking and spiritual/emotional recovery
such as that used by the Navajo Nation, work in the nontribal environment? Why
or why not?

JUS 520 Grand Canyon
Week 5 Discussion 1

Many people now identify themselves as something other than
simply an American citizen. Being part of a protected class, a special interest
group, or both, now seems to be a requirement or expectation for many in
society. What then is more important, an individual as an American citizen, as
a member of a protected class, or as a member of a special interest group.

JUS 520 Grand Canyon
Week 5 Discussion 2

Does a community, made up solely of persons who share a
protected class or special interest, make for a more harmonious community? Why
or why not?

JUS 520 Grand Canyon
Week 6 Discussion 1

Some Native American cultures embrace the concept of
“banishment” from the tribe as a form of punishment. Given your
understanding of community and obligation, do you find that banishment is an
appropriate sentence? Should it be used more frequently or only in more severe
instances?

JUS 520 Grand Canyon
Week 6 Discussion 2

Within the United States, whether a judge is appointed or
elected depends largely upon location. Do you believe it is appropriate for
many judges in the country to be elected? Why or why not?

JUS 520 Grand Canyon
Week 7 Discussion 1

Can communitarianism and restorative justice address
serious, violent crime in a moderate to large-sized community? Would it make a
difference if the community was densely urban, suburban, or rural? Why or why
not?

JUS 520 Grand Canyon
Week 7 Discussion 2

“I am not my brother’s keeper” has often been
repeated. But is it accurate? Is not everyone looking out for each other in a
communitarian society? Why or why not?

JUS 520 Grand Canyon
Week 8 Discussion 1

Turf wars have become well known if not legendary among
federal law enforcement agencies. What is it that motivates federal law enforcement
agencies to compete against each other so aggressively? How would you change
this culture of competition?

JUS 520 Grand Canyon
Week 8 Discussion 2

Is the idea of a collective, community-based consciousness
possible? Why or why not?