How should we respond to wrongdoing? The law has several tools, most prominently punishment and compensation. In our personal lives, we have other tools, like apology, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Some would like to see those tools play a larger role in law, perhaps to the exclusion of punishment. In this class, we’ll consider the many ways we respond to wrongdoing, as individuals and as societies. We’ll study theories of punishment, repair, revenge, apology, and forgiveness. We’ll investigate restorative justice and reparations for historical wrongdoing. The readings will be primarily philosophical, but no background in philosophy is required.
For details on class times, days of the week, instructors, and grading and exam details, please view the Michigan Law Class Schedule.