In this assignment, you will be introduced to the world map that will be used throughout the course. The purpose of the map is to provide a visual reference based on various prompts. For Module 1, you are going to include information about yourself and your previous experiences.

Once you have acquainted yourself with how to use the map, mark the following locations for this module:

• Where do you currently live and/or work? (Choose the most pertinent location if they are different)
  • Mark this location using the house or building icon in dark red (RGB 136, 14, 79).
• The locations where you have cultural experience that you discussed in the introduction assignment (M1.1).
  • If you feel that you only have a minor amount of exposure, use a flag icon in grey (RGB 117, 117, 117).
  • If you have extensive exposure to the location (perhaps you lived there, have multiple contacts, etc.), use a flag icon in gold (RGB 255, 214, 0).

Once you have marked the locations, provide a list of the locations your marked as a submission for this assignment below.

M1.3: Discussion: What is Justice?

Justice means many things to many people. For example, think about how a judge may have a vastly different definition than a recently convicted criminal on their way to serve their sentence. Based on life experiences, an individual may define justice through the lens of perceived injustice or they may speak about how the legal system benefited them personally. Regardless of how they arrived at their definition, everyone has a unique way to explain what justice is.

First, watch the following video to get an overview of comparative criminal justice (5:54) https://youtu.be/OffaFDiGpOU

INSTRUCTIONS

For this assignment, you will create a spoken word video about your personal definition of justice. The prompt is purposefully simple to give you the freedom to interpret the term in any way that you choose. The video in the section above is a professionally produced spoken work video that you can use for inspiration but your submission is not expected to be produced to that level. The video below is an example of a spoken word video about law that is effective without having the same production quality.

https://youtu.be/OgqBTvn6Z-I

After you have produced your video, share it with the class using the discussion board below. If you are comfortable doing so, share some of your life experiences that have helped you develop your definition of justice. Be sure to take time to respond to some of your peers’ posts.

M1.4: Assignment: Global Networking – Video 

The video above was created for this course by NYPD Captain Robert Matarazzo. In the video, he discusses the global eye of the NYPD’s liaison program and a compelling story of its handpicked intelligence operatives that help citizens that live, work, and travel to New York stay safe.

As you will see on the world map in M1.2, some people have more exposure to the criminal justice systems in other countries than others. Some people may have lived and worked in different countries or they may have colleagues that do. This assignment is the first one in a series that will help everyone gain exposure to the criminal justice system in another country by reaching out directly to a practitioner in the field.

This assignment specifically is about the process of connecting with a new contact. It is alright if you do not have a contact who has confirmed that they will participate by the time you turn in this assignment.

ASSIGNMENT

Your first step is to identify which country most interests you and then choose a municipality within that country. Since the purpose of this series of assignments is to learn about a new culture, please reach out to someone in a country that you do not already have experience with. Find a way to connect with an individual in the criminal justice system in that municipality. The possibilities are nearly endless for who you can connect with but it would be a good idea to talk to someone who has a similar role to your current job or the job you would like to have in the near future. You may find people using professional networks such as LinkedIn or you could reach out directly to a department in your chosen municipality to see if they can connect you with someone. Do not get discouraged if you have trouble finding someone immediately. Persistence in this first step will lead to a more fulfilling experience going forward.

If you are having trouble making a foreign contact, please reach out to your instructor for assistance.

Note: In Module 4, you will be asked to record a Zoom meeting with your contact where you interview them about their experiences. When choosing a contact, let them know that requirement in case it is not something they are willing to do.

The deliverable for this assignment will be in the form of a memo to the instructor of the course. In the memo, note who you are reaching out to, where they live, and what their role is. Then, justify why you chose to reach out to them. If you do not have a specific individual chosen at this point, you can speak generally about your choices.