Anthro 371m: Cross-cultural Research on Urban Gangs



Anthro 371m: Cross-cultural Research on Urban Gangs

Spring 2012, Sections: 10663R, 10664R, 10665R

11 am, 2 pm, 3:30 pm, GFS 222, GFS 223, GFS 220, respectively

Prof. T.W.Ward, Phone: (213) 740-8222; email: tww@usc.edu

Office: GFS 229A; Hours: T/Th 1-2 p.m. & by appointment

Course Description:

This class covers the anthropological, sociological and criminological research pertaining to urban youth gangs. Historical, ecological, economic, socio-cultural, psychological, legal and political aspects of gang formation and participation will be examined. Strategies and policies that have been used in gang prevention, intervention and suppression will be discussed, as well as the anthropological perspective on the origin and biology of human violence. We will compare the role of ethnicity in Latino, African-American, Asian and Armenian gangs. We will also explore the roles of “girls” in gangs, and the affects of aging (maturation) within gangs. Because gang members’ perspectives are essential to even a rudimentary understanding of gangs, classes will include visiting lectures by former gang members from different ethnic gangs in Los Angeles. In addition, gang intervention workers & law enforcement officials will speak to the class

in order to provide their valuable first-hand perspectives on street gangs.

Diversity Content:

The concept of human diversity is central to the core content of this class. Special attention will be given to diversity within groups and the effects of the following factors on decisions to participate in violent street gangs: (1.) poverty & social class differences;

(2.) racism, bigotry & ‘scapegoating’; (3.) sexism, patriarchy, gender roles & the sub-jugation of women; (4.) marginalization, failure in school & lack of job opportunities;

(5.) ethnicity, cultural & sub-cultural differences; (6.) language discrimination, identity, acculturation & nationality; and (7.) migration, national & international. These concepts are central to the formation and maintenance of street gangs in the U.S. and abroad. We will discuss the ways in which gangs are a reflection of societal values and prejudices.

Course Grading:

There will be 2 exams, and a term paper (or a digital project, for those registered in IML 140). Exams will cover all lectures, readings & in-class discussions. Course grade is calculated as follows: 66% exams, 34% term paper (or digital project). Students are required to attend class. More than 4 unexcused absences will result in lowering of your final grade by a third (e.g., A- becomes a B+).

Required Texts:

Boyle, Gregory. 2010. Tattoos on the Heart. Free Press.

Dawley, David. 1992. A Nation of Lords. Waveland Press.

Huff, C. Ronald (ed.). 2002. Gangs in America III. Pine Forge.

Klein, Malcolm. 2005. Gang Cop. Rowman & Littlefield.

Rodriguez, Louis. 1993. Always Running: La Vida Loca. Free Press.

Wrangham, R. & Peterson, D. 1996. Demonic Males: Apes & the Origins of Human Violence. Houghton Mifflin.

Class Schedule

Note that dates for guest speakers are subject to change based on their availability.

Week (dates):

One (1/10 & 12) . . . . Introduction: History of youth gangs in the U.S.

How gangs are studied from an anthropological POV.

Reading: Huff, Chapter 1.

Two (1/17 & 19). . . . From Pachuco to Cholo: Latino gangs in L.A.

Topics: poverty, racism, fashion, migration, ethnic

identity, sexism, machismo, and language discrimination.

Reading: Rodriguez, all.

Three (1/24 & 26) . . . Gangs & Immigration: Armenian & Salvadoran gangs.

Topics: immigration, war trauma, domestic violence, sexism, ethnicity, and language discrimination.

Reading: DeCesare, on electronic reserve.

Guest speaker: Betros Hajian, Pastor, LA County Jail

Four (1/31 & 2/2) . . . . . . Reasons for joining & leaving gangs.

Topics: violence, family dynamics, street socialization, sexism, initiations, and rites of passage.

Reading: Huff, Chapter 2

Five (2/7 & 9) . . . . . Prison Gangs: From youth gangs to organized crime.

Topics: violence, family dynamics, street socialization, sexism, racism, and symbolic communication.

Reading: Huff, Chapter 4

Guest speaker: Mark Kuklinski

Paper Topics Due.

Six (2/14 & 16) . . . . Girls in Gangs: Sexism, patriarchy & subjugation.

Topics: women’s roles, sexism, patriarchy, domestic violence, sexual double standard, caretaking & pregnancy.

Reading: Huff, Chapter 12

Guest speaker: Mirna Solorzano, Homies Unidos

Seven (2/21) . . . . . . . Review for Midterm Exam

(2/23) . . . . . . . MIDTERM EXAM

Eight (2/28 & 3/1) . . . . . African-American Gangs: Vice Lords, Crips & Bloods.

Topics: racism, women’s roles, patriarchy, politics.

Reading: Dawley, pp. 1-139

Guest speaker: Samuel Simmons

Nine (3/6 & 8) . . . . Asian-American Gangs: Chinatown & beyond.

Topics: violence, Chinese immigration, Vietnamese gangs & war trauma, ethnicity, & relationship to organized crime.

Reading: Huff, Chapter 14

Bibliographies due.

Ten (3/12 – 17) . . . . . Spring Break

Eleven (3/20 & 22) . . Origins of Human Violence: Anthropological POV.

Topics: neurobiology of violence, evolutionary psychology, and male aggression.

Reading: Wrangham & Peterson, Chapters 4, 6, 10

Twelve (3/27 & 3/29). . Gang Cops: Gang suppression & the law.

Topics: history of enforcement, violence, drugs, gang suppression, punishment & probation.

Reading: Klein, all

Guest speaker: Detective Bob Lopez, LAPD, or

Deputy Tom Ferguson, Sheriff’s Dept.

Thirteen (4/3 & 5) . . Gang Prevention & Intervention: Community responses.

Topics: violence within neighborhoods, family dynamics, schools, denial, the politics of prevention, maturation, jobs,

prison rehabilitation, parenthood.

Reading: Boyle, all.

Guest speaker: Father Greg Boyle, Homeboy Industries.

Fourteen (4/10 & 12). Globalization of Gangs: Europe & Central America

Topics: Eurogang paradox, crossing borders, deportation, gang proliferation, transnational gangs, role of media.

Reading: Huff, Chapter 15

Fifteen (4/17 & 19). . Student Oral Reports

Sixteen (4/24 & 26). . Student Oral Reports

Final Exam Schedule:

Tu/Th. 11 a.m. section— Tuesday, May 8, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., GFS 222

Tu/Th. 2 p.m. section— Thursday, May 3, 2-4 p.m., GFS 223

Tu/Th. 3:30 p.m. section— Tuesday, May 8, 2-4 p.m., GFS 220

Anthropology 371m: Cross-cultural Research on Urban Gangs

Spring 2012, Professor Ward

ANALYTICAL RESEARCH PAPER

The research paper must be at least 12 pages (double-spaced), with 15 sources for your bibliography. The term paper is designed to give you the opportunity to apply what you learned in class and your analytical skills to a particular topic. Your library research (and optional interviews) will provide the information that you will use to compare and contrast knowledge, concepts and theories discussed in class. You will be graded on your ability to assemble a body of data (information) and critically think about & reflect on these issues. IGNORE this at your peril: The paper should NOT be a descriptive report (a collection of facts).

ELEMENTS OF A QUALITY RESEARCH PAPER

Papers will be evaluated on this basis: (1.) Thoroughness & the amount of effort you put into your paper: Have you scoured the archives, plumed the depths, left no stone unturned in your quest to find information pertaining to your topic? This is reflected in the number and quality of references you use & the number and quality of interviews (if applicable); &

(2.) Astuteness, critical thinking & originality: Have you commented critically on the source material & come up with some new information or ideas about the topic, or are you just regurgitating what others have said? How much thought have you put into your paper? Compare & contrast what others have said & make conclusions of your own. Originality counts. What are the causes & consequences of people’s decisions and actions? What does it mean to be a gang member? What are possible solutions to the problems caused by street gangs?

LOGISTICS: PLEASE FOLLOW THESE DIRECTIONS

1. Papers must be typed, 12-point font (Times or Times Roman), with one-inch margins (Do not justify margins). Do not use italics. Use black ink (not purple, or green, or blue). You should have approximately 250 words per page. [5 points counted off for not following this direction.]

2. The body of your paper must be at least 12 pages and not exceed 15 pages of text. This does not include bibliography & (if applicable) interview notes. Be sure there are page numbers on each page, including your bibliography (upper or lower right hand corner of each page). [5 points counted off for not following this direction.]

3. Be sure you cite all your references at least once in the body of the paper, and cite a reference (in APA format) each time you give information that you got from that particular source. All sources in your bibliography should be cited at least once in the paper. [5 points counted off for not following this instruction.]

4. You must have at least 15 references for your paper. There is no maximum number of references (if you want to impress, utilize more sources). Personal interviews can count for up to 5 references (i.e., you would need 5 interviews & 10 text sources). All interviews must be TYPED UP (questions & answers) and attached to the end of your paper. Interviews that are not typed & attached will not count towards your 15 references. The bibliography should appear on a separate page at the end of the paper. [5 points counted off for not following this.]

5. You must use APA style for citing references within your paper and in your bibliography. An APA style sheet is available from Leavey Library. Interviews that you conduct need to be cited in the paper as (last name, PI), and within the bibliography as: Last name, first name, Personal interview, date, place (or ‘phone contact’) and duration of the interview (how long did the interview last?).

[5 points counted off for not following this instruction.]

6. You must staple your paper in the upper left-hand corner. Do Not use binders or plastic folders. DO NOT include a title page. Put your name, class name & #, prof’s name, & date in the upper left-hand corner. The title of the paper should be centered. [5 points counted off for not following this instruction.]

7. Any graphs, illustrations, interview notes and/or endnotes (if relevant) should appear on separate pages after the bibliography. Interviews must be typed. Include the questionnaire you used to conduct the interview(s).

8. Be sure to proofread (check over) your paper carefully for spelling and grammatical mistakes. If you have not written a research paper prior to this class, I highly suggest getting help from me, and/or the ‘writing center.’ I will be more than happy to help you with any and all stages of research and writing the paper, including selecting a topic, finding sources, finding people to interview, taking notes, organizing the paper, critical analysis, and clear and concise writing of the paper.

ORAL REPORTS

1. You will have 10 minutes to give an oral report on the research that you conducted for your term paper. You should practice your oral report at least once before class.

2. You should not read from your paper, though you may use note cards or an outline. Speak to the class as though you were talking to a friend, explaining what you found and how it fits with the class material. If you have a particularly good quote, you can read it. You can make a handout (a few facts and/or some graphics) to give to students. Make sure you make enough copies for the whole class. You will not have time to do a PowerPoint presentation.

3. State your name, title of your paper or subject that you studied. You should cite studies that deal with your topic. Be specific. Give some interesting facts about your topic. What do you think is the most important aspect of the research you did? How does this material relate to topics discussed in class? If you read a really good book or article, share it with the class. Remember to speak loudly & clearly.

4. Remember: Include quotes (if appropriate). Include facts that support your arguments. What is the main idea of your report? What did you learn about your topic? What conclusions can be drawn from the data you collected?

Possible Topics for Research Papers

1. Impact of Immigration, Ethnicity, or Poverty: migration and culture/language as risk factors. How does migration impact economic issues, family structure & dynamics, & gang formation? How are skinheads different from other gangs? (Interviews recommended).

2. Impact of Fathers and/or Mothers; or Gang members as Parents: Relationship between gang member and his/her father/mother. Were they neglected, abandoned or abused? What happens when gang members have children? (Interviews required).

3. Reasons for joining or leaving the gang: Risk factors for joining vs. individual decision-making process. What are the unwritten rules about leaving? What does it mean to “pay one’s dues”? How does one get out? (Interviews recommended).

4. Roles of girls in gangs: What roles do young women play in gangs? How have these roles changed over time? How does pregnancy impact gang involvement? What other differences are there between girls and guys in the gang? What is the relationship between girls and guys in the gang? (Interviews recommended).

5. Attitudes toward Death: What are their experiences with violence/near death? How have their fellow gang members’ deaths impacted them? (Interviews required).

6. Availability and access to drugs & alcohol: How do they get them? What types of drugs do they use? Historically how has this changed? How do drugs and/or alcohol affect gang members’ behaviors? How has violence escalated? (Interviews required).

7. Enforcement, Laws, or Prison: Gang Cops, critique the history and effectiveness. STEP act & gang enhancements. Gang injunctions; sentencing and its impacts on gangs and prisons, and/or how experience of prison affects gang participation. How gangs change prisons. (Interviews recommended).

8. Prevention or intervention: Analyze a prevention program in schools or the community. What are the strengths & weaknesses of the program & what are recommendations for future programs? (Interviews recommended).

See me if you have questions about other possible topics or are having trouble choosing a topic. You must get approval before choosing a particular topic.

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