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Despite ongoing demands to reform, defund, and abolish current policing and imprisonment practices, the U.S. justice system continues to massively curtail the lives of millions of people, in particular of Populations of Color. The umbrella term ‘confinement’ captures how the U.S. Justice system – via policing, arrests, its court system, prisons, detention centers as well as parole and probation regimes – fosters group-differentiated immobility, surveillance, and “premature death” (Ruth Gilmore). In this class, we will historically situate current policing and incarceration practices and investigate the U.S. prison apparatus in all its complexities (e.g. racialized legislation and law enforcement, for-profit incarceration, institutionally enforced community-prison ties, long-term effects of imprisonment). We will address the system from a variety of perspectives and positionalities, including those of prisoners and their relatives, activists, policy makers, and politicians. Throughout the course, a particular focus will be placed on cultural and media representations of the U.S. justice system, such as documentaries, writings, drawings, and paintings, and including arts produced by prisoners. Regarding the online technicalities: Please make sure to be available during the seminar’s allotted time slot. |
