Subject Area
Class Calendar Length
Year Long
Grade Levels
11, 12
Prerequisites
None
Seats Available
15
Class Schedule
Mon., Tue., Thu., Fri. from 1:35 to 2:25 pm
Dual Enrollment
3 college credits (American International College)
Course Summary
Drawing on conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, and critical race theory, students explore how communities, criminal justice systems, and institutions respond to harm. The course moves dynamically from interpersonal scales of repair and reconciliation to structural scales of school discipline and systemic racism. It culminates with an examination of powerful resistance movements that have challenged harmful policies throughout United States history and into the present day.
Students engage with primary sources, sociological research, memoirs, and documentary films to sharpen their analytical lens on justice and accountability. This course fulfills major requirements and broad general education outcomes in critical thinking.
Key Outcomes
- Analyze systemic biases within traditional disciplinary models.
- Learn how to facilitate restorative circles and protocols.
- Design and present a school-wide restorative action plan.
Mass. State Standards
- RI.11-12.1-2: Reading Informational Text (Citing textual evidence and determining central ideas)
- W.11-12.1-2: Writing (Writing arguments and informative/explanatory texts)
About the Instructor
Jess Madden-Fuoco is a dedicated educator and leader at Greater Egleston High School with twenty-nine years of experience as a classroom teacher, assistant school leader, and instructional coach since 1997. She holds multiple degrees from Boston University, Teachers College at Columbia University, and a PhD in Education from Lesley University. Jess recently completed her doctoral research examining how professional learning helps educators cultivate restorative practices.
A passionate advocate for educational equity and instructional innovation, she remains deeply committed to fostering growth for both students and staff. Jess lives in Boston with her partner Bill and their two wonderful young daughters.