Criminal Justice and the Crisis of American Democracy

How is the crisis of American criminal justice connected with the crisis in American democracy? How can policing, prosecution, and punishment best be reformed in an era of polarization? What does the rise of exclusionary forms of populism mean for criminal law and criminal procedure? This seminar will address the opportunities for, and obstacles to, rethinking criminal justice in the current political moment. Topics of discussion may include police reform and police defunding, progressive prosecution, holistic defense, juries, clemency, and balancing expertise, professionalism, and popular participation in criminal justice. Students may elect to write a substantial research paper or a series of short response papers. Students taking the course for R credit can take the course for either 2 or 3 units, depending on the paper length. After the term begins, students accepted into the course can transfer from section (01) into section (02), which meets the R requirement, with consent of the instructor. Elements used in grading: attendance, class participation, response papers or final paper.