University Of Maryland Creates Course Centering Around Freddie Gray Death
COLLEGE PARK, Md. (WJZ) -- The University of Maryland School of Law has created a new course for students specifically dealing with the aftermath in the city following the death of Freddie Gray.
Marcus Washington has more on what the course will discuss and what follows.
During the time of the unrest in the city, both the University of Maryland president and the law school dean felt more community involvement was needed on their part. Starting next month, law students will look at how the law played a role in what happened.
The arrest of Freddie Gray and what hollowed is something that is forever part of Baltimore's history---but where do we go from here? It's a question being asked at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.
"A very good beginning of focusing our efforts was to have a full discussion of the broad range of issues that caused the unrest in the city of Baltimore," said law professor Michael Greenberger.
Greenberger says there was a lot of interest from students.
The course will focus on eight topics within just as many weeks---some including housing segregation, race and policing, education and the school to prison pipeline and employment and economic development.
"And to propose possible solutions in terms of governmental of non-profit efforts," Greenberger said.
During the eight week course, students will not only discuss the issues that happened here in Baltimore during the unrest but they will talk about solutions dealing with the root of the problem.
"You know, housing is leading to health care problems, which is leading to unemployment, which is leading to economic distress," said Donald Tobin, University of Maryland Francis King Carey Law School Dean.
The course will look at what happened before and after Freddie Gray's death and how that all plays a role in the systematic problems seen throughout the city.
"I think it will help create change," Greenberger said. "We expect this will generate a discussion. We don't think the faculty who's teaching this will know all the answers."
Congressman Elijah Cummings has expressed interest in being a guest speaker during the eight week course.