Prison Abolition

4 Credits

Is a society without prisons possible? This course invites students to critically examine the political and ethical implications of mass incarceration in the United States and its impact on human rights, justice, and democracy. Through the perspectives of abolitionist activists, artists, and thinkers, students will explore alternatives to punitive justice and question the role prisons serve in society. Topics include carceral geography, the evolution of the prison system, the prison-industrial complex and corporate profiteering, and voting rights for incarcerated individuals. Attribute/Distribution: CC, HE, SS