Critical Social Inquiry 0175 - Prisons/Policing/Punishment

In this course we will first analyze traditional philosophical perspectives on punishment along side critical genealogical descriptions of how it is that certain penal mechanisms emerged and determined our present-namely, the prison industrial complex and the militarization of police forces. We will then take up the abolitionist question and reflect on how things could be otherwise. That is, we will spend a great deal of time in this class discussing restorative or community approaches to issues of justice as a viable alternative to those methods currently being deployed.

Power, Community and Social Justice Independent Work Multiple Cultural Perspectives Writing and Research Students are expected to spend at least six to eight hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time.