Recording-2025-02-27T16_25_48.909Z

Social Control

• Definition of Social Control: Represents mechanisms, strategies, and institutions that societies use to regulate individual behavior.

• Formal Social Control:

  • Enforced by governing bodies.

  • Example: Law enforcement agencies, such as local police.

• Informal Social Control:

  • Based on social norms and peer pressure.

  • Includes community expectations and social cues.

Key Agencies in Law Enforcement

• Department of Homeland Security:

  • Focuses on national security and immigration enforcement.

• Customs and Border Protection:

  • Has authority (jurisdiction) over border control and customs enforcement.

• Transportation Security Administration (TSA):

  • Responsible for security in transportation systems.

Grand Juries

• Definition and Function:

  • A grand jury determines if there is enough evidence for a case to go to trial.

  • Typically, a high rate of indictments (e.g., 98% of cases).

  • Plays a role in balancing government powers in legal processes.

Criminal Justice System

• Traditional Policing:

  • Historically focused on crime prevention and investigation.

  • Engaged in maintaining public order.

• Understanding UCR:

  • Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) provide data on crime statistics.

  • Used by law enforcement agencies to evaluate and improve safety measures.

Judicial Review

• Explanation:

  • A court's power to review and potentially invalidate laws or executive actions that conflict with the constitution.

  • Crucial in preventing governmental overreach.

  • Example of significant rulings affecting law enforcement practices (e.g., warrant requirements).

Symbolic Speech

• Definition:

  • Non-verbal expressions communicating messages (e.g., gestures).

• Examples:

  • Giving offensive gestures (like the finger) as a form of expression.

  • "Fighting words" create a situation likely to incite violence.

Exam Preparation

• Midterm Exam:

  • Scheduled: Chapters 1-4 of the textbook.

  • Format: Multiple choice, Scantron format.

  • Requirements: Bring a number two pencil.

• Class Attendance:

  • Importance of participation for exam preparation.

  • Encouragement to share notes among classmates for support.

Study Tips

• Sharing Notes:

  • Students encouraged to collaborate for effective studying.

• Textbook Review:

  • Plan to review chapters in detail leading up to the exam.