Carceral Logic, Abolitionist Imaginaries

This class will examine the transformation of the
prison, policing and surveillance systems in the
United States following the 1960's through an
in-depth look at the experiences of prisoners,
including modes of self-expression and resistance
and through the lens of scholars dedicated to
understanding the political dynamics of the Prison
Industrial Complex. The emphasis on prison life,
the broader dynamics of policing, the "war on
drugs" and the political struggles around
immigration is designed to expose students to the
network of social and political forces that shape
the "criminal justice system." Particular focus
will be given to the racial dynamics of policing,
sentencing and prison life; the historical roots
of contemporary criminal and legal issues; and the
broad reach of the Prison Industrial Complex.
The first section of the class is devoted to
writing by imprisoned intellectuals and activists.
Students will examine various narrative and
literary strategies employed to communicate about
life in the carceral state. In the second part of
the course, historical and scholarly writing
contextualizes the social and political
implications of a nation that has the highest
incarceration rates in the world. The final
section looks at the ways that the PIC is visually
represented in the work of contemporary artists
and the ways that prisoners engage in various
forms of cultural and expressive activities.
Students will be expected to participate actively
in course discussions and complete a final
research project. Attendance and participation are
a crucial aspect of this course.