CJ 288 : HATE CRIMES & MOVEMENTS

In this course, we will use a hybrid framework to understand the complex issues surrounding hate crimes and hate movements in the US. Blending criminological and social movements perspectives, we will examine the mechanics of social movement mobilization and criminal activity more generally, and then use those theoretical frameworks to trace the evolution of various hate movements across specific historical contexts. We will also examine the social psychology of hate and bias, and connect individual-level processes of stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination to institutionalized mechanisms of hate and bias. Throughout the course, we will engage both historical case studies and current events, and use critical discussions to develop a nuanced perspective on the dynamics of hatred and extremism in US society and contemporary efforts to address hate-based crime within and beyond the formal criminal justice system.