Violence, Justice and Mercy

Catalog description

Taught by JST. This course will consider the difficult topics of war, incarceration, sexual violence, racism, torture, and migration using the framework of justice and mercy. In each case we will ask: What does justice require? What does mercy require? Can we make sense of suffering? Is forgiveness desirable or necessary? Is healing possible? Immersion component: a one week immersion trip over spring break to El Paso/Juarez is required. Format: reading/seminar-style discussion. Student evaluation will be based on weekly one-page reading reflection papers, discussion, and a final paper. Students should have taken one prior course in ethics. [Faculty Consent required; 12 max enrollment]