PHIL 2230 Mass Incarceration: Philosophical and Theological Perspectives

This course explores problems of justice in relation to incarceration in the United States with particular attention to race, social class, gender, and immigration status. We will read authors writing on the philosophy of race, gender, and class in relation to incarceration, the phenomenology of solitary confinement and the concept of " social death," church documents and theological works on incarceration, and works on restorative justice and other models of justice that serve the common good. Catholic Social Justice teachings and discussion will also be a part of the course. The course will also address interconnections between immigration and incarceration. This course is offered as a PULSE elective and includes experiential, project-based learning. Satisfies the following distribution requirement (s) for Philosophy: Ethics & Values. Prerequisite (s): Philosophy or Theology Core.

Course overview

Department
Philosophy
School
MCAS
Credits
3
Level
Undergraduate
Offered
Periodically in the Fall

Catalog details

Satisfies core
Cultural Diversity

Catalog text is imported from the reviewed Boston College course snapshot. Confirm eligibility in EagleApps.

Requirements fulfilled

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating
4.44 / 5 · Very Good
22 responses
Instructor rating
4.48 / 5 · Very Good
22 responses
Terms evaluated
3
Most recent: Spring 2026

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
TermInstructorCourse overallInstructor overallWell organizedClear learning objectivesIntellectually challengingHelpful assignmentsApplicable beyond courseAttendance necessaryWeekly effortResponses
Spring 2026Cherie Mcgill4.84.84.04.34.84.75.05.0—8 of 10
Spring 2024Marina Mccoy5.05.05.05.05.05.05.04.94–6 hrs/week7 of 7
Spring 2023Marina Mccoy3.43.64.04.03.93.44.43.44–6 hrs/week7 of 8

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • Marina Mccoy
    Spring 2027, Spring 2024, Spring 2023 · Official rating 4.29/5
  • Cherie Mcgill
    Spring 2026 · Official rating 4.83/5

Sections

  • Section 01
    Spring 2027 · Marina Mccoy · Stokes Hall 401N TuTh 10:30AM-11:45AM · Offered