Human Rights Violations, Protest Policing and Democracy:

The Case of U.S. State Repression

 

Government and Politics, GVPT459h                                                                                                                 Prof. Davenport

Spring 2002                                                                                                                                                     Office: Tydings 0145b

M, W: 3:30-4:45                                                                                                                                       Tel: 301-314-9473 

Class Locale: JMZ 103                                                                                                                                      Email: cdavenport@cidcm.umd.edu

                                                                       Office hours: Wed 11:45-1:45 or by appointment

 

The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.

W.E.B. Dubois

 

introduction

 

Most discussions of human rights concern non-democratic contexts: e.g., the former Soviet Union and it’s satellites, the Nazi regime, Mobutu’s regime or Castro’s Cuba.  As a result, our understanding of state repression within the context of modern democracies is somewhat limited.  This class will explore the topic within the specific case of the United States.  The case proves to be especially important within the aftermath of the September 11th.  There are now more threats than ever to American citizens; not only those imposed by foreign and domestic terror networks but also by the political authorities in the U.S. itself. 

 

It should be clear: we are not discussing the legitimacy of state action within this class.  Rather, we are exploring the specific actions themselves, assessing why they take place and where, and identifying what some of the implications might be for political discourse, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, and a host of other rights. 

 

Course Requirements

 

The course in run on 4 components:

 

1)     Careful reading of the assigned material

 

2)     Active participation in class

(20% of the grade – assessed through class discussion and in-class quizzes)

-          Let us be clear: merely speaking is not sufficient to be counted as class discussion.  The points must be relevant to the issues being addressed at the time and they must exhibit that you have been reading the material.

-          The professor administers the quizzes randomly.

 

3)     1 midterm examination

(40% per examination)

-          The examination is short essay format and there will be no study questions provided.  The questions will be directly related to the reading that has been assigned as well as the lectures.  If the student has problems with writing clearly, then they should immediately seek assistance from the writing center.  Essays are evaluated by the following criteria: clarity in argumentation and writing, evidence, and the ability to integrate all previously assigned information.

-          If the examination is missed for any legitimate reason (e.g., death of relative, medical emergency) all information (e.g., death certificates, doctor’s notes) will be verified before a make-up examination is provided.  Individuals with illegitimate/non-verifiable excuses will not allowed to take the examination.  Make-up examinations are inherently more difficult than the original examination and thus it is strongly recommended that the exam not be missed.

 

4)     1 final project (40% of the grade)   

-          The final project will constitute an original piece of research regarding a topic provided by the professor as well as a brief in-class presentation.

-          The structure of the examination will be determined after the midterm examination as it will be uniquely tailored to the capabilities of the class as a whole.

-          Criteria for examination include: thoroughness, creativity, and clarity.

 

attendance policy

 

As participation is crucial to knowledge acquisition and adequate assessment of individual students, attendance is taken randomly throughout the year.  Three unexcused absences will result in the student being dropped from the course.

 

 

reading material

 

There are 5 books that are required:

 

               POLITICAL REPRESSION IN MODERN AMERICA by GOLDSTEIN

               FREEDOM AT RISK by CURRY

               PUNISHING HATE by LAWRENCE

               LEGISLATING PRIVACY by REGAN

               POLICING PROTEST by DELLA PORTA

 

class schedule

Jan 28: Overview of class and syllabus

 

THE ROOTS OF REPRESSION, 1870-1970

Jan 30: Goldstein xxi-60

Feb 4: Goldstein 137-192

Feb 6: Goldstein 237-396

Feb 11: Goldstein 427-546

Feb 13: Goldstein 547-574

 

THAT 80’S SHOW

Feb 18: Curry 1-85

Feb 20: Curry 86-170

[Feb 25 – Rwanda]

[Feb 27 – Rwanda]

[Mar 4 – Rwanda]

Mar 6: Curry 171-255

Mar 11: Curry 255-340

Mar 13: Curry 341-423

 

THE COERCION THAT HATE PRODUCE

 

Mar 18: Lawrence 1-44

Mar 20: Lawrence 45-79

[Mar 25 – Spring Break]

[Mar 27 – Spring Break]

Apr 1: Lawrence 80-160

Apr 3: Lawrence 161-178

            Additional Assignment & Midterm Assignment

 

WHO AND WHAT’S ON THE LINE?

Apr 8: Regan 1-68

Apr 10: Regan 69-143

Apr 15: Regan 144-211

Apr 17: Regan 212-244

 

THE RIGHT TO ASSEMBLY WITH POLICE ESCORT

Apr 22: Della Porta and Reiter 1-69

Apr 24: Della Porta and Reiter 70-142

Apr 29: Della Porta and Reiter 143-212

            Final Assignments Discussed

May 1: Della Porta and Reiter 213-270

 

WHAT ARE WE LEFT WITH,

BIG BROTHER, HOMELAND SECURITY OR BOTH?

May 6: Final Assignments

May 8: Final Assignments

May 13: Final Assignments