Anthro 371m: Cross-cultural Research on Urban Gangs



Anthro 371m: Cross-cultural Research on Urban Gangs

Spring 2009, Sections: 10648R, 10649R, 10650R.

Prof. 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 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, a digital project & a journal. Exams will cover all lectures, readings & in-class discussions. Digital projects will be cooperative ventures—you will work in groups of 3-4 students (see below). You will also keep a journal of your participation in the project. Course grade is calculated as follows: 50% exams, 25% digital project, 25% journal. 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:

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

Huff, C. Ronald (ed.). 2002. Gangs in America III. Sage Publications.

Klein, Malcolm. 2005. Gang Cop. Altamira Press.

Rodriguez, Louis. 1993. Always Running: La Vida Loca. Touchstone.

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

Class Schedule

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

Week (dates):

One (1/13 & 15) . . . . Introduction: History of youth gangs in the U.S.

How gangs are studied from an anthropological POV.

Reading: Huff, Chapter 1.

Two (1/20) . . . . . . . Documentary: Introduction to Documentary & project

assignment.

(1/22) . . . . From Pachuco to Cholo: Latino gangs in L.A.

Topics: poverty, racism, fashion, migration, ethnic

identity, sexism, machismo & language discrimination.

Reading: Rodriguez, all.

Three (1/27 & 29) . . . New Kids on the Block: Salvadorans in gangs.

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

Reading: DeCesare, on electronic reserve.

Guest speaker: Alex Sanchez, Homies Unidos.

Four (2/3) . . . . . . . . . Documentary: Research methods & introduction to

‘Premiere’

(2/5) . . . . . . Gang Initiation: Rituals for joining gangs.

Topics: violence, family dynamics, street socialization, sexism, rites of passage & symbolic communication.

Reading: Huff, Chapter 2.

Five (2/10) . . . . . . . . .Reasons for joining & leaving gangs.

Topics: violence, family dynamics, street socialization, sexism, rites of passage & symbolic communication.

Reading: Huff, Chapter 4.

Guest speaker: Betros Hajian, Pastor, LA County Jail.

(2/12) . . . . . Prison Gangs: From youth gangs to organized crime.

Topics: physical & sexual violence, drugs, prison socialization, institutionalization & ethnic identity.

Reading: TBA.

Six (2/17) . . . . . . . . . . Prison Gangs cont.

Guest speaker: Mark Kuklinski.

Six (2/19) . . . . . . . . . Documentary: Camera basics and sound.

(2/21) . . . . . Girls in Gangs: Sexism, patriarchy & subjugation.

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

Reading: Huff, Chapter 12.

Guest speaker: TBA.

Seven (2/24) . . . . . . . Girls in Gangs cont.

Topics: see above.

Review for midterm.

Optional Media Workshop: Rippin’ media.

(2/26) . . . . . . MIDTERM EXAM

Eight (3/3 & 5) . . . . . African-American Gangs: Vice Lords, Crips & Bloods.

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

Reading: Dawley, pp. 1-139.

Guest speaker: Samuel Simmons.

Nine (3/10 & 12) . . . .Asian-American Gangs: Chinatown & beyond.

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

Reading: Huff, Chapter 14.

(3/16- 20) . . . . Spring Break

Ten (3/24 & 26) . . . . Documentary: Second workshop on Premiere; “Table

Screening”—i.e., all media must be recorded, collected

& brought to this workshop (A & B rolls, still images)

Get together with your group to work on project.

Eleven (3/31 & 4/2). . Origins of Human Violence: Anthropological POV.

Topics: biology of violence, male aggression.

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

Twelve (4/7 & 9) . . . 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 (4/14) . . . . Documentary: Rough cut viewing, student critiques.

Thirteen (4/16). . . . . . Gang Prevention: Community responses.

Topics: violence within neighborhoods, family dynamics, schools, denial, the politics of prevention/intervention.

Reading: Huff, Chapter 17.

Fourteen (4/21 & 23). . Gang Prevention cont.

Reading: Huff, Chapter 18.

Guest speaker: Father Greg Boyle, Homeboy Industries.

Fifteen (4/28 & 30). . Globalization of Gangs: Europe & Central America

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

Reading: Huff, Chapter 15.

(5/8) . . . . . . Documentaries due Friday May 8, by noon.

Final Exam Schedule:

Tu/Th 11 am section—Tuesday, May 12, 11-1 p.m., GFS 229

Tu/Th 2 pm section—Thursday, May 7, 2-4 p.m., GFS 220

Tu/Th 3:30 pm section—Tuesday, May 12, 2-4 p.m., GFS 109

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download