Episcopal Divinity School
Cambridge, MA
PT/CS 1443
Prison Abolition
Spring Term 2012
Tuesday’s- 4:10-6 PM January 31- May 1
Class Meetings: Sherrill Hall Rm. 250
Instructor:
Professor Ed Rodman:
Office: Sherrill Hall 101; 617-682-1549
Email: erodman@eds.edu
Home Telephone: 508-309-4034
Guest Lecturers-TBA
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will allow participants to recognize that as the prison industrial complex continues to
chase the health industry as the largest and most rapidly growing sectors of our economy,
outstripping along the way education, housing, and social welfare, the time has come to address
squarely and with candor the means by which this egregious waste of human and financial
capital can be stopped. The Church has a key role to play as a bridge between the various stake
holders this critical system in our society that is so badly in need of change. We will examine
best practices from both the historical and current perspectives focusing on the methods required
to move from a retributive to restorative justice framework.
GOALS OF THE COURSE
The studies included in this course are designed to:
• Establish a socio-political context for the current prison industrial complex
• Articulate an alternative ethical perspective that addresses the current retributive justice
framework
• Identify the stakeholders who benefit from the current status quo
• Examine alternative models that are rooted in restorative justice
• Explore the costs both human and financial and its impact on our culture
• Explore the prison health system and efficacy or lack thereof for maintaining the health
of inmates
• Identify appropriate courses of action to address this situation
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
All students will be expected to fully participate in the class through attendance, participation,
reading and the completion of a final paper of no more than fifteen (15) pages that addresses
their learning(s) and future course of action due on May 15. An alternative to the paper will be
an extensive annotated bibliography of the relevant literature and the websites which shed light
on the topic.
A NOTE ON PEDAGOGY
Crucial to this course will be the experiences and passions of those who are taking it. It is
expected that each student will identify during the first session a particular aspect of the subject
that they wish to pursue in depth. Students will also be expected to share relevant literature and
websites with which they are familiar that will enhance the discussion of the subject.
Knowledgeable speakers will be invited who will also provide additional bibliographical
material. While this course takes a specific position on the subject, it will be important to
maintain an atmosphere in which differing points of view will be respected and discussed.
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY STUDENTS
Course work for all Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) students must demonstrate an advanced
understanding of the nature and purposes of ministry, enhanced competencies in pastoral analysis
and ministerial skills, and the integration of these dimensions into the theologically reflective
practice of ministry. Doctor of Ministry students are encouraged to focus their course work on a
particular subject germane to their anticipated thesis/project. Doctor of Ministry students are
thus expected to do a significant research paper on a topic related to their thesis/project in place
of the final paper. Paper topics for doctoral students need to be discussed with the instructors.
CLASS SCHEDULETuesday- January 31
• Introduction to the topic and the identification of particular areas of interest of each
student
• Discussion of relevant bibliographical and website resources
Begin reading the required text for the next three weeks.
Tuesday- February 7
• Presentations by significant persons in the abolitionist’s movement
• Continue reading the required text and other materials that has been presented
Tuesday- February 14
• Student presentation on areas of interest and relevant bibliographic material
• General discussion that has arisen from the readings
Tuesday- February 21
• Begin other required texts in light of the discussion to date.
Tuesday- February 28
Tuesday-March-6
Spring Break
Tuesday-March-20
Tuesday- March-27
Tuesday- April-3
Tuesday-April-10
Tuesday- April-17
Tuesday- April 24
Tuesday-May1
REQUIRED TEXT
Bissonette, Jamie, et al. When the Prisoners’ Ran Walpole. South End Press. 2008
Garland, David. Peculiar Institution: America’s Death Penalty in an Age of Abolition
The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. Cambridge, 2010ISBN 978-0-674-05723-4
RECOMMENDED TEXT
Walters-Sleyton, George. Locked Up and Locked Down: Multitude Linger in Limbo
Additional articles and websites will be made available on the first day of class.
Some web sites worth visiting:
http://www.howardleague.org/overcrowding/
http://www.mass.gov/doc