This course explores social change and conflict resolution through the lens of autobiography by incarcerated individuals whose stories and experiences influenced social movements and conflict situations. We will focus on three case studies: the struggle against Apartheid in South Africa, the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and the US during the Civil Rights era and today.
All interested students must complete an application and an interview with the instructor. Classes are held at the Oregon State Correctional Institution with an equal number of UO and incarcerated students. Students must agree to abide by the rules and policies of the Department of Corrections and the rules of Inside-Out and the UO’s Prison Education Program. These rules will be discussed at length in a pre-class meeting. Holding classes in a prison offers unique opportunities for depth of discussion and diversity of experiences, and also is a complex emotional space.