Introductory Topics in Legal Studies (276-0-1)

Instructors

Iolanthe Brooks

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-435: Tues, Thurs 10:00AM - 12:50PM

Overview of class

In 1970, just under 200,000 people were incarcerated in the United States. Today, that number is nearly two million-plus an additional 3.4 million people under community supervision. The US leads the world in incarceration, with stark racial disparities in who is behind bars.
How did we get here? What institutions and actors drive incarceration and its inequalities? How has mass incarceration shaped American society? Most importantly, what can we do about it?
In this interdisciplinary class, we will look backward in time to understand the origins of mass incarceration and forward to anticipate its evolution amidst calls for abolition and a resurgence of "tough on crime" politics. Students from all fields are welcome.

Class Materials (Required)

All course will be provided on Canvas

Class Attributes

Face to face: In person, in campus space