» Humanomics Alumni Colloquium

Seventh Semi-Annual Humanomics Alumni Colloquium 

"Economics and Ethics of Prisons"

October 4 - 5, 2024

Registration is now closed for Fall 2024.

The Smith Institute for Political Economy and Philosophy invites all Humanomics alumni to participate in a weekend colloquium on the “Economics and Ethics of Prisons.” We will discuss David Skarbek's The Puzzle of Prison Order and Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah's Chain Gang All Stars.

How do economic incentives, human agency (or lack thereof), and power structures create and sustain markets within institutions designed for confinement and control? How can the economic underpinnings of the prison system be used to understand broader economic patterns and issues in the civilian world? How does America’s for-profit prison system impact the probability of rehabilitation, public perception of incarcerated individuals, and the commoditization of human life? 

We will use David Skarbek’s The Puzzle of Prison Order: Why Life Behind Bars Varies Around the World and Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah’s Chain Gang All Stars to explore these questions and more in both real and sensationalized versions of the modern prison system. Skarbek studies various international prison structures and the unique social orders and systems of exchange that emerge in distinct cultural and institutional contexts. Adjei-Brenyah brings together a blend of satire, sensationalism, and all too real statistics on the incarceration of brown and black individuals in the United States to craft a dystopian, Gladiator-esque prison system that in exchange for massive profit for prison systems and mass entertainment for the public, provides inmates with a glimmer of hope for liberation.  

Choose your weapon and prepare for battle.


The core of a Humanomics colloquium lies in civil discourse and a commitment to read all materials in advance. Please plan to bring your books to the discussion and to be present and on time for all sessions. 

The colloquium is made possible by a grant from the Templeton Foundation. Travel stipends of $200 are available for local alumni and $750 for non-local alumni. Travel stipend applications are included on the registration form.

 

Schedule 

Friday, October 4, 2024

5:00p Drinks followed by Dinner – Solita Tacos, 2438 E Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA

Saturday, October 5, 2024 (Wilkinson Hall 220, Chapman University)

8:30a – 9:00a Coffee

9:00a – 10:00a 1st session – The Puzzle of Prison Order, Part I (Discussion Leader: Gus Gradinger)

10:00a – 10:15a Break

10:15a – 11:45a 2nd session – Chain Gang All Stars, Part I (Discussion Leader: Jan Osborn)

11:45a – 1:00p Lunch (bring your ideas for themes and texts for future colloquiums)

1:00p – 2:00p 3rd session – The Puzzle of Prison Order, Parts II & III (Discussion Leader: Gus Gradinger)

2:00p – 2:15p Break

2:15p – 3:45p 4th session – Chain Gang All Stars, Parts II & III (Discussion Leader: Jan Osborn)

3:45p - 4:00pm Break

4:00p - 4:45p Synthesis and Wrap Up (Discussion Leader: Josey Dunbar)

5:15p Drinks followed by Dinner - Darya, 1998 N Tustin St, Orange, CA


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