GED 503 - Restorative Responses to Harm - in Schools and Society

The restorative approach to culture and curriculum in schools is a relationally based, non-exclusionary approach rooted in the principles of voluntary participation, meaningful engagement, active responsibility, courageous and collaborative problem-solving. This approach informs work and relationships in all sectors of the school, from the classroom to faculty meetings, from student discipline to curriculum development. In this course you will not only experience the restorative practices associated with this approach—restorative chat, restorative conference, class circle, and community circle—you will also explore the nature of harm and healing as they are experienced by individuals and entire groups, in contemporary and historical contexts. Universal restorative practices, such as classroom circles, will be understood in relationship to more intensive restorative interventions, such as circles to repair specific harm. And the relationship between restorative practice and traditional discipline, such as suspensions, will be considered. The harm schooling can do to people by replicating colonialist, racist and misogynist structures and attitudes will be intentionally confronted. Understanding of and/or dedicated interest in equity, mindfulness, and trauma informed practices is required.

Credits: 3

Notes:
Synchronous and asynchronous project-based online learning.