This 8 week study of the justice system in America focuses on social justice and human rights guided by the novel study of the young adults edition of Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson.  Each week learners will not only engage in reading Just Mercy, but will also engage in the issues of social justice and the American legal system through an exploration of important historical and current issues that affect racial justice and human rights in America.  As we read through the book, we will focus on important and compelling legal, civil rights issues that exist in the American legal system. 

Week 1 will focus on the U.S. Constitution, providing an in-depth study of particular Constitutional amendments such as the sixth, eighth, thirteenth, and fourteenth amendment in order to understand important provisions within the constitution which provide equal access to fair trial procedures in the American justice system.

Week 2 will focus on jury selection issues and the importance of fair procedures to avoid bias.  The case of Batson v. Kennedy and the efforts to stop the exclusion of minority jurors will be studied. 

Week 3 explores social justice initiatives in American such as the Innocence Project, The Equal Justice Initiative or the Southern Poverty Law Center to understand the essential work that these organizations do and consider community responsibility.

Week 4 focuses on the death penalty, studying seminal American case law such as McClesky v. Kemp and considering complex issues such as sentencing practices for children and victim impact statements. 

Weeks 5 and 6 turns to Jim Crow laws in the South, studying both the historical tragedy of Jim Crow laws and considering if and how present day laws could continue racial injustice in America.   The Trina Garrett trial will be analyzed during these weeks.

Week 7 turns to the American prison system, exploring exactly what governs our system and the various influences at work in America.  Issues such as private prisons, the ethics of prison labor and the rights of inmates will be studied and analyzed.

Week 8 will conclude our study turning to present day and the future of justice in America.  Final projects will be due on this day.

Each week learners will have a specific section of the book assigned to read ahead of class.  Class time will include discussion and group project based learning to focus in on the issues which that week's reading brings up.  By studying the issues brought to light in the reading with a more focused lens, learners can truly begin to understand the complexities which surround the issues of race, justice and human rights in America.