Understanding labeling and collateral consequences through a cooperative learning activity

Abstract

A criminal record or period of incarceration can result in social exclusion and diminished citizenship. In this small-group activity, students in criminology or criminal justice courses use the jigsaw method learn about labeling theory and the consequences of a criminal record by collaborating to produce handouts on the formal and informal collateral...

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Details

Subject Area(s):

Criminal Justice, Criminology/Delinquency

Resource Type(s):

Class Activity, PowerPoint

Class Level(s):

College 100, College 200, College 300, College 400

Class Size(s):

Medium, Small

Usage Notes

The included documents describe the jigsaw approach, the steps to complete this activity, the activity prompt for students to follow, and a blank group handout. It would be useful to scaffold up to this activity with lecture material or readings on the basics of labeling theory. Any of the research tasks at the center of the activity can be modified or...

Learning Goals and Assessments

Learning Goal(s):

1. Students will learn about the formal and informal collateral consequences of a criminal label.
2. Students will learn about the formal and informal collateral consequences of a criminal label.
3. Students will become familiar with the school-to-prison pipeline, and the role of labeling in this process.
4. Students will become familiar with the ban-the-box movement and potential pitfalls of restricting criminal label information.
5. Students will work collaboratively to produce a handout on collateral consequences.

Goal Assessment(s):

1. Students can successfully describe the difference between formal and informal collateral consequences, and give examples of each.
2. Students can discuss how school punishment is linked to later criminal justice contact.
3. Students will be able to describe the positives and negatives of restricting criminal record information on college applications (or other contexts).
4. Each group will successfully produce a handout that accomplishes each of the above learning goals.