PACE 220 - Arts Behind Bars

Next Offered: First Offered Fall 2017
Semester Offered: First Semester
FC
Credits: 4 Credits
Attribute: CNDP

This course will highlight models of arts programs (i.e. music, drama, literature, visual arts, dance) offered for incarcerated people. General political and societal issues, stereotypes, and assumptions relative to incarceration in the U.S. and globally will lead to the consideration of arts education in prisons as acts of activism. Students will be involved in designing and implementing arts education experiences for people who are incarcerated in Lorain Country prison settings and/or creating community awareness projects about arts and incarceration. Volunteer training at the prisons is mandatory for the CBL portions of this course.

Students will encounter models of arts programs offered for the often overlooked-those who are incarcerated. We examine general socio-political and philosophical issues related to incarceration and consider access to arts education in prisons as acts of activism. Primary readings will include research on the effects of arts education access for those incarcerated and the ways the arts have the potential to transform and inform us of our common humanity.  This is a community-based learning course that includes students assisting with and/or implementing arts education experiences for people who are incarcerated in Lorain County. Required course for the “Arts and the Overlooked: Activism of Access” StudiOC learning community.
Enrollment Limit: 15
Instructor: J. Kerchner
Consent of the Instructor Required: Yes
Prerequisites & Notes
Consent of the Instructor.