Restorative justice views wrongdoing as a breach of personal and/or communal relationships, and proposes that the proper response to wrongdoing is to make efforts to repair those relationships. In this course, we will examine both the theory and practice of varying forms of restorative justice. In a final project, groups of students will propose ways that our society could implement ideas of restorative justice -- within, alongside, or in place of our current criminal justice system.
Note: course meetings will occur at the Washington State Penitentiary, and the class will be composed of incarcerated and non-incarcerated students. Students must follow all rules and guidelines of the Penitentiary. Consent of the instructor is required, and students must also submit to, and pass, a criminal background check conducted by the Penitentiary. All semester, the course will meet at a non-standard time. Interested students should contact the instructor as soon as possible.
Consent of instructor.