Titus Kaphar, Jerome II (2014)
HSTRY 498 — Writing Prison History
Winter 2025
Professor Mark Letteney
Wednesday, 12:30 – 3:20 PM (SMI 306)
In this class we will read books that attempt to write the history of the prison — both “the prison” as a social institution, and histories of specific prisons in the medieval and modern world. We will focus on understanding how historians use disparate forms of evidence to make their claims, from architecture to letters to interviews to art depicting prisoners. Each week we will read one major study tracing carceral history, and by the end of the quarter students will produce a prison history of their own, focused on a period or location of their choosing.
Together we will read two books in their entirety: Jones and Nelson (eds.), Who Would Believe a Prisoner, and Guy Geltner, The Medieval Prison. In weeks 4–9, two students will each lead discussion of a chapter in Who Would Believe a Prisoner?, and in weeks 4–9 two others will collaborate to lead us in discussion of a scholarly monograph on prison history. You will need to have a physical copy of both books. If purchasing these books is a financial burden please be in touch with me — I have extra copies of both, and will order more if need-be.
Grading
- Participation: 25%
- Chapter presentation: 5%
- Book review: 15%
- Book presentation: 10%
- Prospectus: 5%
- Research presentation: 5%
- Discussion posts: 10%
- Final paper: 25%
Grades will be converted to the UW Standard Grading System (4.0 scale) using this scale.
Participation (25%)
Our seminar is small, and every student is responsible to participate actively. This means arriving to class on time and prepared to discuss the assigned reading in detail, and at length. Disagreements will arise in each and every session — that is a good thing! Part of your participation grade will depend on your commitment to disagreeing charitably, and to reading and reacting critically to both assigned materials and to your fellow students. We will discuss difficult topics and try our hand at the task of writing history. I don't expect you to come into this class as a fully formed historian. Nevertheless, I expect you to be prepared and engaged. Because active participation is such a large part of the work of our class, 30% of the grade that you earn results directly from it. Missed classes result in a zero for the day, though one absence is automatically excused.
Discussion Posts (10%)
You will submit a minimum of two high-quality, substantive discussion posts before each Wednesday class session — first, a post of your own reflecting on one part of the reading that stuck out to you, and second, a significant response to another student’s discussion. Posts should be (at least) 5 sentences elaborating on your reflections and questions on the day’s reading, contextualizing the main themes of the scholarship with other course content. Discussion posts are graded on a Check/Plus/Minus system, and the first to post is exempt from responding to a classmate, and your lowest post grade drops automatically. In order to earn a check plus, you will need to discuss both assigned readings for the day.
Late Work
Late assignments forfeit 5 points for every 24-hour period after the deadline. Discussion posts cannot be accepted after the start of class time.
Generative AI
There is no legitimate use for generative AI in this course. Any material suspected of production with the aid of generative AI will be reported for adjudication to UW Community Standards and Student Conduct.
- History Department course policies — please read
- Useful links and resources
- A note on names, titles, and the academy
- Jones, Michelle Daniel, and Elizabeth Nelson, eds. 2023. Who Would Believe a Prisoner? Indiana Women’s Carceral Institutions, 1848–1920. The New Press, xxv–18.
- Geltner, Guy. 2008. The Medieval Prison: A Social History. Princeton University Press, xv–56.
- Guiding questions: what is Geltner's argument? What kind of evidence does he prioritize, and why? What view does he argue against? What is the relationship between his three case studies in chapter one?
- Optional: Sawyer, Wendy, and Peter Wagner. 2024. “Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2024.” Prison Policy Initiative.
- In class: sign up for a book review.
- Morris, Norval, and David J. Rothman, eds. 1995. The Oxford History of the Prison: The Practice of Punishment in Western Society. Oxford University Press, vii–xiv.
- Geltner, G. 2008. The Medieval Prison: A Social History. Princeton: University Press, 57–125.
- Who Would Believe a Prisoner? "2. Rhoda and Sarah—Toward the Home for Friendless Women"
- Who Would Believe a Prisoner? "3. Belle at the Home for Friendless Women"
- Johnston, Norman Bruce. 2000. Forms of Constraint: A History of Prison Architecture. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1–66.
- Who Would Believe a Prisoner? "4. Sally and the Women and Girls at the Reformatory"
- Who Would Believe a Prisoner? "5. Jennie and the Economics of the Reformatory"
- TBD
- Who Would Believe a Prisoner? "6. Mary Jane and Dr. Parvin at the Reformatory"
- TBD
- In class: brief discussion of each student's research project topic and archive.
Peer Review due
- Who Would Believe a Prisoner? "7. Johanna Kitchen—The Grand Lady of Stringtown"
- Who Would Believe a Prisoner? "8. The Duchess of Stringtown Play"
- TBD
- In class: Bouchard, Donald F., ed. 1980. “Intellectuals and Power: A Conversation between Gilles Deleuze and Michel Foucault.” In Language, Counter-Memory, Practice: Selected Essays and Interviews, by Michel Foucault, translated by Sherry Simon, 205–17. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.
- Who Would Believe a Prisoner? "9. Hazel at the Indiana Girls’ School"
- Who Would Believe a Prisoner? "10. “Feeble-Minded” Women at Harper’s Lodge"
- TBD
- Who Would Believe a Prisoner? "11. Sisters"
- Who Would Believe a Prisoner? "12. Billy"
- TBD
- Who Would Believe a Prisoner? "14. Minnie and Mamie"
- TBD
- Course evaluations
Week 10 — March 12
- Research presentations