FACULTY- LED PROGRAMS 

Summer 2010 

 

Trinidad & Tobago

Community Justice in the Caribbean: Bridging Criminal and Social Justice

 

This course is designed to study how the emerging field of community justice, a neighborhood-based strategy can reduce crime in high crime areas in the Caribbean and improve public safety by moving beyond the traditional three tasks of criminal justice - the apprehension, conviction, and the punishment of offenders.  As such, the course will take a critical look at traditional government responses to crime in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and examine how the principles and practice of an approach broadly known as community justice may improve that response, as well as examine the challenges of a community justice approach.

This program combines social and cultural activities with service learning.  Students will have a unique opportunity to observe and study the music, cultural performances, literature, geography and art of this twin-island English-speaking Caribbean state. The service learning experience provides students the opportunity to make a contribution towards developing a favorable community context by working with individuals through education and community service.

*Students must register and pay for CRJS 495/595, SOC 495/595, or AAST 495 (summer registration) in order to participate in this program.
 
  

HIGHLIGHTS Ameri-Indian village in Arima Calypso performance      City tours Maracas Beach Pitch Lake Tobago (day trip)  Tours of prisons, courts     Tour of Women's Prison         Tour of Youth Training Centre     US Embassy Presentation

Faculty Leaders:   Dr. Melvina Sumter is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology at ODU, and is the Director of the Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity. She specializes in Penology/Corrections, Theoretical Criminology, and Social Support. She has been working on various research projects with the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service for approximately 3 years and the Penal Reform and Transformation Unit for about 2 years. Dr. Ingrid Whitaker is an Associate Professor of Sociology who received her PhD from the University of Michigan. She specializes in sociology as it relates to Social Organization, Policy Analysis, Public Policy, and Children and Youth. She is also a faculty member in the Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at ODU.

ITINERARY 23 May: Depart Norfolk 24 May: Arrive in Trinidad, reception 25 May: City tour; Pitch Lake; Ameri-Indian Village 26 May: US Embassy; University of Trinidad and Tobago 27 May: Prison Tours 28 May: Service learning activity 29 May: Tobago  30 May: Free Day 31 May: Service learning activity 1 June: Service learning activity 2 June: Service learning activity; Police Service tours 3 June: Service learning activity 4 June: Maracas Beach 5 June: Prison Family Day  6 June: Free Day 7 June: Service learning activity 8 June: Service learning activity; courts tour 9 June: Service learning activity 10 June: Service learning activity 11 June: Free Day 12 June: Return to Norfolk   *Subject to Change: The office of Study Abroad reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

Dr. Melvina Sumter                                 OR         Office of Study Abroad Sociology and Criminal Justice                           212 Spong Hall, 2nd Floor BAL 6004                                                                Bolling Ave. and Hampton Blvd. 757-683-3812 or msumter@odu.edu                 757-683-5378 or studyabroad@odu.edu OR  Dr. Ingrid Whitaker, Sociology and Criminal Justice, BAL 6010, 757-683-3811 or iwhitake@odu.edu CRJS 495/595, SOC 495/595, or AAST 495 463 (3 credits) (summer term registration) Priority Application Deadline: Feb 15, 2010 Cost Information Download Application  (Turn in application with $250 deposit to the Office of Study Abroad, Spong Hall, Room 212, Norfolk, VA 23529)