Title: Analyzing Public Policy Through a Class and Race-Based Lens: A Case Study of the Rockefeller Drug Laws
Objective:
This assignment aims to critically analyze public policy through the intersectional lenses of class and race, using the Rockefeller Drug Laws in New York State as a case study. Students will explore the historical context, underlying narratives, and socioeconomic implications of these laws, and propose alternative approaches to crafting more equitable public policies.
Assignment Components:
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Historical Analysis:
- Provide a detailed historical analysis of the Rockefeller Drug Laws, examining the socio-political climate of the time period (late 1960s to 1970s) that led to their creation.
- Discuss the societal factors, including economic disparities, racial tensions, and political agendas, that influenced the formulation and implementation of these laws.
- Engage with course concepts such as historical materialism, power structures, and institutional frameworks to contextualize the development of the Rockefeller Drug Laws within broader historical dynamics.
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Examination of Narratives:
- Explore the narratives surrounding the Rockefeller Drug Laws, focusing on how they were shaped by perceptions of race and class.
- Analyze how these narratives perpetuated stereotypes and biases, particularly in relation to drug use and criminality.
- Utilize a socioeconomic lens to interrogate disparities in sentencing, such as the differential treatment of crack cocaine versus powder cocaine, and discuss the implications of these disparities for marginalized communities.
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Solutions for Better Public Policy:
- Propose alternative approaches to crafting public policy that address issues of class, economic inequality, and racial justice.
- Advocate for policy reforms aimed at dismantling systemic barriers and promoting equity within the criminal justice system.
- Draw upon course concepts such as structural inequality, intersectionality, and policy analysis to support the proposed solutions.
Assignment Guidelines:
- Your paper should be well-researched and supported by evidence from scholarly sources, including academic journals, books, and reputable websites.
- Ensure that you address issues of class, economic inequality, and/or poverty directly and substantively throughout your paper.
- Must engage with engage with at least three course concepts to provide a comprehensive analysis of the topic. ( racecraft the soul of inequality, Black Silent Majority by Micheal Fortner, Coates the case for reparations)
- Papers should be formatted according to academic standards, with proper citations and references.
- Aim for clarity, coherence, and critical thinking in your analysis and argumentation.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Depth of historical analysis and contextualization of the Rockefeller Drug Laws.
- Critical engagement with narratives surrounding the laws, particularly through a socioeconomic lens.
- Effectiveness and feasibility of proposed solutions for crafting better public policy.
- Integration of course concepts to support arguments and analysis.
- Clarity, organization, and adherence to academic standards in writing.