Academics
Course Descriptions
Course Description: Doing Time in America: An Interdisciplinary Approach*
52-2680
In this class, students will explore prison culture in America by examining the history and philosophy of prisons, and the way prisons are portrayed in literature, film, and television, including popular shows such as Prison Break and OZ. Given America's fascination with crime and the swelling number of incarcerated individuals (over two million in America), the class raises important questions and issues about poverty and privilege; punishment and redemption. Students will discuss the similarities between prisons and various dissimilar institutions (such as colleges) that also have their own language, rituals, and hierarchy. In addition to readings, screenings, and discussions, the class will host guest speakers (such as a prison guard, a former inmate, a public defender, and a prison minister) who work closely with prison populations. Students will read one novel about crime and punishment in America, as well as articles, essays, stories, poems, prison narratives, song lyrics and excerpts from longer works of both fiction and nonfiction about prisoners and life behind bars, as well as about the culture that surrounds those incarcerated.
Course descriptions are stored in OASIS and are maintained by the Associate Dean for each School.
* Prerequisite Required.