The restorative justice field continues to grow at a rapid pace. With this growth comes divergent theoretical perspectives, like those ranging from minimalist to maximalist, which in turn influence divergent types of implementation, all with the intention of meeting the diverse needs of the community and context in question. In this course we will identify how restorative justice is best positioned to strengthen relational and social fabric in our respective communities, and what it means for a restorative approach to be responsive and adaptable while working from a strong theoretical foundation. We will examine the contemporary critical issues in the field compared to those thirty years ago. Students will then have the opportunity to focus on a particular critical issue relevant to their context of choice and analyze it – by drawing on pertinent theories and implementation processes – through a restorative lens.
This course will prioritize relationship and collaborative decision-making and will draw on the wisdom of each participant. It will engage learners through a combination of virtual circle processes, small group discussion and lecture. It is designed for people with an existing knowledge base of restorative justice principles and practice modalities who are looking to deepen that knowledge through discrete areas of application.- Teacher: Bradley Lehman
- Teacher: Sarah Roth Shank
- Teacher: Alena Yoder