The question of why the United States has become a vastly more punitive society — nearly 8 million Americans have served time in state or federal prison; some 20 million individuals have a felony conviction; and approximately one-third of the total population will be arrested by age 23 — is the subject of this seminar.
The aim of the seminar, then is to provide both a critical and in-depth exploration of the interplay among several philosophical questions. Most principally, “Why and how we punish?” “How dominant theories of punishment impact individuals, families, and neighborhoods.?” And what are the prospects of reforming contemporary criminal justice policy?”
We will be joined by four extraordinary and talented men -- with lived experience in the New Jersey state criminal legal system -- who will co-facilitate our seminar discussions. And the course will conclude with students working along-side these scholar/activists on specific criminal legal policy projects/proposals.
The aim of the seminar, then is to provide both a critical and in-depth exploration of the interplay among several philosophical questions. Most principally, “Why and how we punish?” “How dominant theories of punishment impact individuals, families, and neighborhoods.?” And what are the prospects of reforming contemporary criminal justice policy?”
We will be joined by four extraordinary and talented men -- with lived experience in the New Jersey state criminal legal system -- who will co-facilitate our seminar discussions. And the course will conclude with students working along-side these scholar/activists on specific criminal legal policy projects/proposals.
- Teacher: Lawrence Bell
- Teacher: Benjamin Berger
- Teacher: Umar Dollard
- Teacher: Antonne Henshaw
- Teacher: Samuel Quiles
- Teacher: Keith Reeves