Lyrics on Lockdown: Young Women in the Prison System

Semester and Year	SP 2013
Course Number	CLI-UG1443
Section	001
Instructor	Piper Anderson
Days	Wed
Time	6:20 PM - 9:00 PM
Units	4.0
Level	U
Foundation Requirement

Description

Rates of detention amongst girls in the US continue to increase even as overall rates of incarceration amongst youth have steadily declined in the last decade. Yet, because girls represent a proportionally smaller population within the Juvenile Justice system fewer resources are allocated to address the underlying causes of incarceration and recidivism amongst young women ages 12-19. This course investigates the causes and experiences of incarceration amongst girls and women, as well as help students design and facilitate an arts and education program for incarcerated girls. What are the unique concerns presented by incarcerated female populations? What must we understand about the policing of gender and sexuality in order to meet the needs of incarcerated girls and women? What role does trauma play in the experiences of girls remitted to the juvenile justice system? What is the role of the arts in empowering inmate populations? Exploring these and other questions enables students to better understand the role of the Prison Industrial Complex in defining and policing gender roles and sexual minorities. Students are required to attend Saturday sessions at Riker’s Island Correctional Facility where they design and facilitate a Lyrics on Lockdown program. Readings include The Color of Violence: The Incite! Anthology  by Women of Color Against Violence, Global Lockdown: Race, Gender, and the Prison-Industrial Complex  by Julia Sudbury, Theatre for Community, Conflict and Dialogue by Michael Rohd, and Picture Me Rollin’ by Black Artemis.

Course Type

Community Learning Courses (CLI-UG)