CHID 250 C: Special Topics: Introduction to the History of Ideas

"PRISON ABOLITION IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST" INSTRUCTORS: CALEB KNAPP AND AM WEATHERFORD (VLPA, W CREDIT) THIS COURSE EXAMINES HOW PRISON ABOLITIONISTS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST THEORIZE RESISTANCE TO THE CARCERAL STATE THROUGH LIVED EXPERIENCE AND PRACTICE. WHILE IT TREATS RECENT SCHOLARSHIP ON STATE VIOLENCE, THE COURSE EMPHASIZES READING THE CULTURAL PRODUCTIONS AND PRACTICES OF LOCAL ABOLITIONIST COMMUNITIES AS THEORIES IN THEMSELVES. WE WILL DISCUSS THE WOMEN OF COLOR SPEAK OUT COLLECTIVE, THE NO NEW YOUTH JAIL MOVEMENT,THE #BLOCKTHEBUNKER CAMPAIGN, THE TACOMA DETENTION CENTER HUNGER STRIKE, THE BLACK PRISONERS CAUCUS AT MONROE, THE FREEDOM EDUCATION PROJECT PUGET SOUND, AND UNIVERSITY BEYOND BARS. THE COURSE WILL INVITE SPEAKERS FROM THESE COMMUNITIES TO GUEST LECTURE, INCLUDING FORMERLY INCARCERATED INDIVIDUALS THEMSELVES.