McCormick Theological Seminary

Course: Prisons: New Realities, New Missions (MUM 312)

Course Dates:Fall Semester 2016

Lectures:Fridays, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Saturdays, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

Location:5460 S University Ave.,Chicago, IL 60615 andsitevisits

Instructor:Dr. Nolan R. Shaw

312. 545-7500

Email:

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will examine theologically prison ministry models, re-entry ministry models, and campaigns to end mass incarceration. The class will read texts that offer critical theological perspectives of the prison industry in the United States and introduce resources from religious, social and government agencies that address the plight of the incarcerated and formerly incarceratedtogether with their families.

In addition, this course will include a site visit to Cook County Jail and Statesville Correctional Center, and a panel discussion with representatives from religious, social, and government agencies working with prisoners, ex-prisoners,and/or with their families.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate their ability to interpret biblical teachings which pertain to mass incarceration and how to apply these teachings to their particular ministry contexts
  • Explain the major causal factors that are associated with the disproportionate representation of minorities in the criminal justice system
  • Describe effective models of prison ministry, which are designed to address the specific needs of the incarcerated, the formerly incarcerated,as well as, their families.

METHODOLOGY:

  • Assigned class readings
  • Class lectures
  • Panel discussions
  • Small group exercises
  • Research and development of an“Effective Prison Ministry Model”
  • Class discussion

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Reading the required texts, handouts and appropriate biblical scriptural passages, and active participation in class sessionsand site visits.

Required Texts: Alexander, Michele. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. New York: The New Press, 2010.

Murakawa, Naomi. The First Civil Right: How Liberals Built Prison America (Studies in Postwar American Political Development). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014.

Soering,Jens. Convict Christ: What the Gospel Says About Criminal Justice. Maryknoll: Orbis Book, 2006.

Stevenson, Bryan. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption. Spiegel & Grau, 2014.

Sourcebook:Epistle to the Romans

Bonhoeffer’sLetters from Prison

Letter from a Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Supplemental Texts: Ross, Ken. Breaking Through: Winning Against The Odds

Welch,Michael. Corrections: Critical Approach - 3rd edition. New York: Routledge, 2011.

Handouts:

  • Taylor, Mark Lewis. “Decolonizing Mass Incarceration: ‘Flesh Will Wear Out Chains’,”Journal for Cultural and Religious Theory vol. 13 no. 1 (Winter 2014) 121-141.
  • Welch, Michael, and Fatiniyah Turner. “Private Corrections, Financial Infrastructure, and Transportation: The New Geo-Economy of Shipping Prisoners,”Social Justice vol.34 nos. 3-4 (2007-08).
  • McRoberts, Omar M. “Religion, Reform, Community: Examining the Idea of Church-based Prisoner Reentry,” The Urban Institute Reentry Roundtable (March 20-21, 2002).
  • Prisoner Re-entry and Aftercare Ministry Toolkit, American Baptist Home Mission Societies,

GRADING

Class Participation (20%) – students are expected to attend each class session, and be prepared to summarize and discuss the assigned readings.

Cook County Jail and Statesville Correctional Center Site Visits (20%)

Reflection Papers(20%)–students will be required to illustrate their understanding of the course readings and how it affects their ideas about the practiceprison ministry.

Class Presentation (10%) – The students will present small group presentations which are designed to provide opportunities for students to receive feedback from their classmates.

Final Paper (30%) – This paper will present the student’s model of an effective prison ministry or re-entry ministry for the formerly incarcerated.

OFFICE HOURS: By appointment.

ABSENCES / LATE ASSIGNMENTS:

In general, the instructor is aware that emergency situations do arise to interfere with class attendance and/or the timely submission of written assignments. However, absences and the late submission of written assignments are strongly discouraged.

STUDENT ACADEMIC HONOR:

All materials submitted in fulfilling a student’s academic requirements must be his or her own original work, in accordance with McCormick’s policy on fair use of sources.Plagiarism is the act of presenting the published or unpublished work of another person (including the work of another student) as one’s own work. Any person who knowingly uses another person’s distinctive work without proper acknowledgment/citation is guilty of plagiarism. Please proceed with integrity!

COURSE OUTLINE

9/9Introduction to the course; developingabiblical perspectiveabout mass incarceration and social control

Readings – Soering, chapters 1-5; Bonhoeffer pp. 1-56

Assignment: Reflect on how incarceration was used as a means of social control during biblical times. 2 to 3 pages, due on October 16, 2016.

9/10Developing an operational definition of mass incarceration; delineating the history of mass incarceration in the United States

Readings – TBA

9/16Using a prophetic voice to address moral corruption and social injustice with respect to mass incarceration in the United States

Readings – Alexander chapters 4, 5, and 6; Bonheoffer, chapters 4, 5, and 6; Murakawa, chapters 3, 4 and 5

9/17Understanding the concept of human forgiveness and redemption;

Readings – TBA

9/22Site Visit (mandatory)–Cook County Jail

Assignment: Write a reflection paper emphasizing your observations of the conditions of the facility, the quality of human interaction, the opportunities for personal-development, and the impact the visit had on your theological self-understanding, due on September29, 2016.

10/7Exploring case studies of personal transformation;components of effective prison ministry programs

Readings – TBA

10/13 Site Visit (optional)–Statesville Correctional Center

Assignment: Write a reflection paper emphasizing your observations of the conditions of the facility, the quality of human interaction, the opportunities for personal-development, and the impact the visit had on your theological self-understanding, due on October 24, 2016.

10/17-21Reading Week (no class)

10/29Effects of Mass Incarceration; Panel Discussion (including formerly incarcerated, social service providers, and church leaders)

11/21-25Thanksgiving Break(no class)

12/3Wrap up and presentation of Students’ Prison Ministry Models

12/7Reflections papers are due

WRITTEN PROJECTS

The discipline of Prison Ministry Studies is intended to expand our knowledge and deepen our understanding of the needs of juvenile offenders, incarcerated adults and their family members. It is, however, crucial that each of us acknowledge the beliefs and values that inform our particular orientation into the field of prison ministry.

Thus, the written project for this course is designed to encourage students toarticulatetheir own theological perspective and worldview regarding the phenomenon of mass incarceration. Such learning and reflection will also, undoubtedly, lead to an acknowledgement of other areas of needed knowledge and growth.

There is no assigned length for the written assignment. However, the papers should be as thorough as possible, including your statements of belief, the source of your beliefs, along with any questions you may have in regard to development of an effective prison ministry model. Footnotes/endnotes and a bibliography are to be included.

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