My favorite class has been PUBPOL 3810: Mass Incarceration and Social Inequality in America, taught by Dr. Bryan Sykes. This course deeply engaged me and helped me begin to understand the complex issues surrounding mass incarceration and its impacts on society. We explored significant decarceration efforts, like California's realignment policies, and theoretical frameworks, such as Blalock’s theory of incarceration as social control. The course also examined the nuanced relationship between incarceration rates and crime, as well as the broader social consequences on education, labor markets, and family structures. Through practical policy discussions, this class inspired me to think critically about potential reforms that are both community-base and culturally sensitive solutions that prioritize well-being.

What is your favorite class so far and why?