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The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have sparked a wave of renewed protests against police brutality across the United States. These nationwide uprisings have transformed into an intense interest from the public around...
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The tragic deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery have sparked a wave of renewed protests against police brutality across the United States. These nationwide uprisings have transformed into an intense interest from the public around understanding systemic racism and abuse of power. Millions of Americans and people around the world are watching incidents of police violence and excessive force captured on video, but are looking to learn about the inequalities at the root of these incidents. While the calls of Black Lives Matter protesters to #DefundThePolice are being heard for the first time by many Americans, they are part of a longstanding effort by communities and activists to reinvest in communities rather than policing and prisons. In this Teach-Out, you will learn about the history of police violence in America, become aware of laws and policies that prevent accountability, understand the demands of protesters, and gain the knowledge and tools to fight for change locally.
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Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Examines systemic racism and abuse of power, which is highly relevant to social justice
Explores the history of police violence in America, which is standard in social justice
Taught by Faculty Experts and Teach-Out Experts, who are recognized for their work in social justice
Develops knowledge and tools to fight for change locally, which are core skills for social justice
Requires no prerequisites, making it accessible to a wide audience
May require students to come in with some background knowledge in social justice

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Reviews summary

Critical examination of police brutality in america

This teach-out provides a highly informative and timely examination of police brutality in America. It has been described as thought-provoking and moving. Learners have praised the course for its thorough exploration of the history of police violence, laws and policies that prevent accountability, and the demands of protesters. It provides knowledge and tools for fighting for change locally.
Course is very timely and thought-provoking.
"it's thought-provoking, moving, and deeply engaging"
"it is what this country needs in this time of escalating racism and emerging facism."
Informative and an amazing example of how technology can change the world.
"Informative!"
"Wonderfully educational and timely!"
"Just an amazing example of how technology can change the world."
Course may take longer than the estimated 6 hours to complete.
"that may be technically correct but is patently ridiculous."
"While there are roughly 5.5 hours of official video, there are many assigned or recommended readings which easily take longer than 30 minutes to complete."
"And if, like me, you delve deeper into topics, events, and people that are mentioned in the lectures, you can spend MUCH more time than that."
Important material that should be readily available and offered again soon.
"I am greatly upset by what just happened -- the course is over and according to Coursera "There are no upcoming sessions available at this time""
"This is such important material that it needs to be readily available for people like me and others to dive into and learn what's been hidden in the past."
"PLEASE see that there is a next session very soon and that there are many more next sessions available!"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Police Brutality in America Teach-Out with these activities:
Attend a protest against police brutality
Show your support for the movement against police brutality and stand in solidarity with those who have been affected.
Show steps
  • Find a protest near you
  • Prepare for the protest
  • Attend the protest
  • Reflect on your experience
Develop a plan for talking about race with family and friends
Learn how to communicate about race in a respectful and productive way.
Show steps
  • Think about your own experiences
  • Consider the perspective of others
  • Practice having these conversations
Read 'The New Jim Crow'
Build a foundation of understanding about the history and present effects of systemic racism in the United States criminal justice system.
Show steps
  • Read the book
  • Write a brief summary
  • Identify the key arguments
  • Discuss the book with others
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
This book will provide you with a historical context for the current state of policing in the United States and help you understand the role that mass incarceration has played in perpetuating systemic racism.
Show steps
  • Read the book carefully, taking notes on the main arguments and supporting evidence.
  • Identify the key themes and concepts in the book.
  • Consider the implications of the book's findings for the future of policing and criminal justice in the United States.
Join a local group working for racial justice
Connect with others who share your commitment to fighting racism, and learn from their experiences.
Show steps
  • Research local organizations
  • Attend a meeting
  • Volunteer your time
  • Share your ideas
Create a social media campaign to raise awareness about police brutality
Use your creativity to engage others in the fight against police brutality.
Show steps
  • Develop a concept
  • Create content
  • Promote your campaign
  • Track your results
Contribute to a project that is working to reform the criminal justice system
Use your skills to make a difference in the fight for racial justice.
Show steps
  • Find a project to contribute to
  • Join the community
  • Contribute your skills
  • Share your work

Career center

Learners who complete Police Brutality in America Teach-Out will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Community Activist
This course can help equip you with the knowledge and tools to help lead meaningful change on the ground. It will help you understand the historical context of police brutality in America, become aware of laws and policies that prevent accountability, and provide you with a deeper understanding of the demands of protesters.
Civil Rights Lawyer
A deep understanding of police brutality in America is necessary for any aspiring Civil Rights Lawyer. This course will help you comprehend the history of police violence in America, provide you with the tools to better understand the laws and policies that prevent accountability, and equip you with the knowledge necessary to fight for meaningful change.
Police Officer
This course may help you gain a deeper understanding of police brutality in America and equip you with the tools to help create meaningful change within your own community. It will help you understand the historical context of police violence in America, become aware of laws and policies that prevent accountability, and provide you with a deeper understanding of the demands of protesters.
Social Worker
This course may help you better understand the systemic racism and abuse of power in America that leads to police brutality. It will provide you with a deeper understanding of the history of police violence in America, the laws and policies that prevent accountability, and the demands of protesters.
Public Policy Analyst
This course may help you build a foundation for studying police brutality in America. It will provide you with a deeper understanding of the history of police violence in America, the laws and policies that prevent accountability, and the demands of protesters.
Sociologist
This course may help you build a foundation for studying police brutality in America. It will provide you with a deeper understanding of the history of police violence in America, the laws and policies that prevent accountability, and the demands of protesters.
Criminal Justice Advocate
This course may help you build a foundation for fighting criminal injustice. It will provide you with a deeper understanding of the history of police violence in America, the laws and policies that prevent accountability, and the demands of protesters.
Community Organizer
This course may help you gain a deeper understanding of police brutality in America and equip you with the tools to help create meaningful change within your own community. It will help you understand the historical context of police violence in America, become aware of laws and policies that prevent accountability, and provide you with a deeper understanding of the demands of protesters.
Historian
This course may help you build a foundation for studying police brutality in America. It will provide you with a deeper understanding of the history of police violence in America, the laws and policies that prevent accountability, and the demands of protesters.
Journalist
This course may help you build a foundation for reporting on police brutality in America. It will provide you with a deeper understanding of the history of police violence in America, the laws and policies that prevent accountability, and the demands of protesters.
Political Scientist
This course may help you build a foundation for studying policing in America. It will provide you with a deeper understanding of the history of police violence in America, the laws and policies that prevent accountability, and the demands of protesters.
Government Official
This course may help you build a foundation for a career in public service. It will provide you with a deeper understanding of the history of police violence in America, the laws and policies that prevent accountability, and the demands of protesters.
Activist
This course may help you build a foundation for advocating for criminal justice reform. It will provide you with a deeper understanding of the history of police violence in America, the laws and policies that prevent accountability, and the demands of protesters.
Lawyer
This course may help you build a strong foundation for a career in public interest law. It will provide you with a deeper understanding of the history of police violence in America, the laws and policies that prevent accountability, and the demands of protesters.
Teacher
This course may help you build a foundation for teaching about social issues in America. It will provide you with a deeper understanding of the history of police violence in America, the laws and policies that prevent accountability, and the demands of protesters.

Reading list

We've selected 12 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Police Brutality in America Teach-Out.
Provides a comprehensive analysis of the history and impact of mass incarceration in the United States, particularly on African Americans. It argues that mass incarceration new form of racial control and oppression that has devastating consequences for individuals, families, and communities.
Argues that the current system of policing in the United States is fundamentally broken and cannot be reformed. It proposes a radical new approach to public safety that focuses on community-based solutions rather than law enforcement.
Examines the history of policing and mass incarceration in the United States, with a focus on the ways in which it has targeted black men. It provides a rigorous analysis of the legal and social forces that have led to the current crisis of police violence and mass incarceration.
Documents the history of government-sponsored housing discrimination in the United States. It shows how policies such as redlining and urban renewal have created and maintained racial segregation, which has in turn led to increased poverty and crime.
Tells the story of how the United States government and corporations worked together to re-enslave black Americans after the Civil War. It documents the use of convict leasing, sharecropping, and other forms of forced labor to keep black people in poverty and under control.
This classic work of sociology and literature provides a deep and nuanced analysis of the experiences of black people in America. It explores the themes of race, identity, and the struggle for equality.
Provides a comprehensive history of racist ideas in America, from the colonial era to the present day. It shows how these ideas have been used to justify slavery, segregation, and other forms of discrimination.
Examines the global policing crisis and its impact on black communities. It argues that the same forces that have led to police violence in the United States are also at work around the world.
Argues that prisons are not only ineffective at reducing crime, but they are also harmful to individuals, families, and communities. It proposes a range of alternatives to prisons, including community-based solutions and restorative justice.
This report from the United States Department of Justice investigates the Ferguson Police Department in the wake of the shooting death of Michael Brown. It documents the department's history of racial profiling and excessive force, and it makes recommendations for reform.

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