Course

Crime and punishment are on everyone’s mind. From Bay Area recall elections of prosecutors to frustrated rants on NextDoor, people are concerned about crime. There are currently about two million people incarcerated in jails and prisons in the United States. What moral issues are involved in this grim fact? What constitutes a moral response to crime? What is the justification for punishment, and what are the moral criteria for a just punishment? Are individuals entirely — or only partially — responsible for their crimes? We will ponder and discuss these issues as they pertain to contemporary America. 

Faculty Bio

A lifelong educator and writer of fiction and essays, Bill Smoot has been teaching for almost fifteen years in the college program at San Quentin Prison. He holds a PhD in philosophy from Northwestern University.

This is an In Person-Only Course

• Classes meet in person at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center, at 3491 Mount Diablo Blvd., Lafayette
• Limited to 40 members
• You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.

Schedule Highlights

• Course starts on Thursday, Oct. 16, and ends on Thursday, Nov. 6
• Classes meet for 4 weeks, 2 hours per session (10-noon)
• All course materials will remain available to view and enjoy through Dec. 31

 Member Praise for Bill Smoot

This was absolutely one of my favorite OLLI courses. Bill is an engaging and intelligent instructor, well-versed in philosophy and film. The class discussions were excellent, and Bill was skilled at facilitating discussion. 

Everything about this class was a pleasure. Wonderful instructor!

I appreciated the philosophical underpinnings that Bill discussed as a way of broadening my understanding. And I really enjoyed his sense of humor and the way he engages with the class and fosters discussion.

Faculty Q&A

• Read an interview with Bill Smoot from our archive.