Mass Incarceration: Philosophical and Theological Perspectives

3 credits

This course explores problems of justice in relation to incarceration in the United States with particular attention to race, social class, gender, and immigration status. We will read authors writing on the philosophy of race, gender, and class in relation to incarceration, the phenomenology of solitary confinement and the concept of "social death," church documents and theological works on incarceration, and works on restorative justice and other models of justice that serve the common good. Catholic Social Justice teachings and discussion will also be a part of the course. The course will also address interconnections between immigration and incarceration. This course is offered as a PULSE elective and includes experiential, project-based learning. Satisfies the following distribution requirement(s) for Philosophy: Ethics & Values. Prerequisite(s): Philosophy or Theology Core. Satisfies Core requirement for: Cultural Diversity