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:
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.
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.
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.
