S. Breakthrough in Abolition Through Transformative Learning Exchange

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.

Admission is by application and instructor approval.

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