VICE, CRIME, AND AMERICAN LAW

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Assignments

Activities so far

As you proceeded through Module 2, you should have participated in the following online activities: discussion forum, poll questions, and readings.

If you have not, please make sure you go back and complete these before proceeding. Further activities for this unit are listed below.

  • Poll Question: Do you agree with Mill's harm principle?
  • WEBLINK READING : "Paternalism"
  • Poll Question: Is Paternalism justifiable?
  • Poll Question: Should dwarf-tossing be a crime?
  • Poll Question: Do you agree with Hart or Devlin?
  • WEBLINK READING : "The Six Tax: Economic and Moral Considerations"
  • Poll Question: Should the state impose sin taxes on vice-related behaviors?
  • WEBLINK READING : "Gambling in California "
  • Poll Question: Is gambling a vice?
  • Poll Question: Should gambling be a crime?

Discussion Exercise and Poll

Jones likes to gamble. On weekends he hosts a poker game at his home in which guests pony up hundreds of dollars to play, with the winner taking home a few thousand dollars. In addition, Jones bets on whatever sporting events are in season, plays the lotto/numbers regularly, and takes a yearly vacation to a gambling town (Vegas, Reno , Atlantic city , etc.). When asked why he gambles so much Jones replies, "It is fun, exciting, and I hope to strike it big." Due to his gambling Jones is chronically short on money and his children often go without new clothes, shoes, and other basic needs.

Using the case of Jones as an instance of the wider issue of gambling, answer the following questions and then post an explanation of your answers to the Module 2 Discussion Board. Be sure to engage the postings of your classmates.

  1. Is gambling a vice?
  2. Should gambling be a crime?
  3. What action should society take, if any, against someone like Jones?
  4. Should the state be in the business of running and promoting gambling?

Quizzes

Just a reminder, There are four quizzes in the course. Each quiz is worth 10 points. These quizzes are designed to ensure that you are keeping up with the reading assignments. The quizzes occur at the end of every even numbered module (2, 4, 6 and 8). Quiz questions are drawn from a random test bank, so it is unlikely any two students will encounter the same set of questions. You are free to use any materials you wish to aid you during the quiz however, quizzes are timed so you have only 20 minutes to complete and submit the quizzes. Quizzes are available 3 days prior to the due date giving you a total of 4 days in which to take the quiz.

The first quiz appears at the end of this module.