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S. Breakthrough in Abolition Through Transformative Learning Exchange

S. Breakthrough in Abolition Through Transformative Learning Exchange

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Course Information

Course Number: L9032

Curriculum Level: Upperclass

Areas of Study: Constitutional Law, History and Philosophy of Law, Human Rights, Lawyering, Leadership, Racial, Economic, and Social Justice

Type: Seminar

Additional Attributes: New Course, Experiential Credit

Section 001 Information

Instructor

Susan P. Sturm George M. Jaffin Professor of Law and Social Responsibility

Alejo Rodriguez Lecturer in Law

Section Description

This course is designed for Columbia Law students seeking to understand and enact strategies for advancing racial and social justice with and for communities affected by mass incarceration and the prison industrial complex. Students will work collaboratively with justice-involved individuals to (1) identify the historical, legal, economic, and political dimensions of the prison industrial complex and its abolition, (2) explore the impact of the civil rights amendments as interpreted by courts and legislatures on political, economic, and social participation by communities of color (3) identify disconnects between the current law school curriculum and the lived experiences and insights of those directly impacted by the criminal legal system, (4) identify and pursue forms of law, policy, legal education, and activism that advance economic and political empowerment of communities affected by mass incarceration, and (5) build partnerships that embrace a trauma-informed approach and offer civic engagement education and organizing efforts led by justice-involved advocates in response to the impact of structural racism, mass incarceration and intergenerational disenfranchisement of communities of color. This course was designed and piloted through a unique and innovative long-term collaboration between the Black Law Students Association, justice-involved leaders, and the course instructors.

The breakthrough in institutional and social change occurs through a learning exchange. Students will work in partnership with justice-involved leaders to interrogate the history and present of the prison industrial complex and abolition, reimagine the future of justice, and advance concrete research and activism projects documenting and enacting transformative strategies. They will build community and partnerships through a mutual exchange of personal experiences rooted in historical, systemic, and theoretical inquiry, co-facilitated discussions, and project development. Students will also be challenged to reimagine the various structures that form the prison industrial complex today, and to work towards long term, sustainable solutions through projects related to the themes of the course. Students and justice-involved leaders will have the opportunity to join existing projects or develop new ones. Students interested in continuing their project work may enroll in Breakthrough in Abolition Through Transformative Learning Exchange (BATTLE): Advanced Fieldwork/Practicum (Spring Semester).

Admission is by application and instructor approval. The application is available at: https://forms.gle/cJRWthQ9xJoCZehy8 or email Susan Sturm, [email protected] or Alejo Rodriguez, [email protected], for further information.

Method of Evaluation: Class participation (40%) and paper/policy reports (60%). Major writing credit offered.

School Year & Semester: Fall 2022

Location: JGH 701

Schedule

Wednesday

6:20 pm - 8:10 pm

Points: 2

Method of Evaluation: Other

J.D Writing Credit?: Minor (upon consultation)

Learning Outcomes

Primary

At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in a specific body of law, including major policy concerns
At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in statutory and regulatory analysis, including close reading of statutes and regulations, and application to facts
At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in ethical and professional issues
At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in judicial, legislative and/or administrative processes
At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in values-based considerations in law-making
At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in jurisprudential considerations in legal analysis
At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in the historical development of law and legal institutions
At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in use of other disciplines in the analysis of legal problems and institutions, e.g., philosophy; economics,other social sciences; and cultural studies
At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in the influences of political institutions in law
At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in finding, understanding, using and critiquing secondary legal literature
At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in various lawyering skills, for example, oral advocacy, legal writing and drafting, legal research, negotiation, and client communication
Learn how to collaborate effectively with justice impacted communities

Course Limitations

Instructor Pre-requisites: None

Instructor Co-Requisites: None

Recommended Courses: None

Other Limitations: Admission by application and instructor approval. Applications are available at https://forms.gle/cJRWthQ9xJoCZehy8 or email Susan Sturm, [email protected] or Alejo Rodriguez, [email protected]. with questions.