This course is designed to discuss whether the Criminal Justice policy in California can change. We will look at prison overcrowding. How should the state respond to an order from the court to reduce the prison population? To answer this question we will discuss sentencing reform, the use of assessment tools and alternatives treatments.

We will talk about the politics of crime and punishment in California. After three decades of “get tough on crime” policies, is the punishment approach to criminal justice working? We will discuss and debate California’s approach to public safety.

There will be a lively discussion regarding budget, choices, accountability, and the in!uence of special interest groups. The course will also solicit topics from the students for discussion and utilize film and guest speakers as part of the learning process. Our goal: identify solutions and recommendations for solving California’s prison overcrowding crisis.

Jeanne Woodford is the former warden San Quentin State Prison and former director of the California Department of Corrections. She graduated from SSU in 1978 and started her career in criminal justice as a guard at San Quentin State Prison that same year. She has worked at the prison as a counselor, legal affairs coordinator, program administrator and chief deputy warden. Ms. Woodford became warden in 2000. This is her third course for the OLLI program.

History through the Great Cities – it can be said that for each major stage of European history there was a capital city, a center from which power and culture radiated. A creative blend of history, urban study, and art appreciation, this course highlights the important cities that set the tone for their respective historical eras.

The course proceeds chronologically, beginning in Italy with Medieval Venice and Rome of the High Renaissance, followed by Madrid in the Age of Exploration and Amsterdam, Europe’s 17th century commercial wonder. For the splendor of the Enlightenment, we will visit Aristocratic Paris. Our journey through history culminates in Imperial London, seat of Industrial Revolution, Romanticism, and World Empire. As we move forward, we will examine the distinct combination of factors - social, political, economic - that propelled each of these cultural capitals into their Golden Age.

There will be a course reader containing background material for each Great City. Class sessions will feature extensive visuals, as artwork and architecture will serve as our primary sources.

Bruce Elliott, PH.D., teaches European History at UC Berkeley, Stanford Continuing Studies, and Sonoma State Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Interested in the interaction between historical change and artistic expression, Dr. Elliott has developed a unique ‘History through Art’ approach that he uses in all his classes for OLLI.