Justice, Mercy, & Redemption in Var (INQ 131)
Term: 2025-2026 Spring Term
Description
This course considers the question of whether justice, mercy, and redemption is for the “system of justice” or should it be more personal to the victim when faced with genocide, murder, rape, and other such personal crimes. Can a system of justice offer forgiveness and redemption or is this a personal journey of the victim(s)? This course will focus on the question of what is mercy and/or forgiveness; justice; and redemption through a democratic and various cultural lenses. Students will look at different approaches to healing of societal and individual victims. Students will grapple with the issue of where the victim’s desires concerning a crime may not meet the standards of the ”justice” system of that culture or justice system and how ultimate “justice” may be achieved. The course will also examine the concept of redemption and whether a person can ever achieve redemption for things he/she has done when they seek forgiveness or a way to redeem themselves.