UNCW Course
Each semester, DA Ben David teaches his course, Crime and Community in the Cape Fear, at the University of North Carolina – Wilmington (UNCW) and through UNCW’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI). For UNCW students, the course is certified for an Explorations Beyond the Classroom credit.
The course features topics relating to crime and punishment in the American legal system as viewed through the lens of the Cape Fear Region. It explores several solutions to crime, many of which are unique to the area, and serves as an introduction to the community and its fabric in the Cape Fear Region. Crime and its associated punishments do not always appear to be the same or even related. Our understanding of crime has changed, as has our understanding of the appropriate way to punish criminal behavior. What is the best vehicle for reducing crime on a permanent basis on a local level? In this course the student will be introduced to topics related to the legal process, crime, and punishment and you will have opportunities to experience the criminal justice system in person through a set of defined excursions associated with this class. Field trips will supplement lectures.
Testimonials
“Ben is a unique leader who brings the community together to have difficult conversations that help us to arrive at a better place. Whether speaking to a room filled with teenagers or other public officials, Ben is authentic, and his message is transformational.
— Byllye Avery, Founder of the National Black Woman’s Health Project
“Throughout this course you will learn ways that your local government goes against crime within your community. It will introduce you with common defense theories and new tactics to lower crime rates. Also, you will get to experience how the District Attorney’s office works with victims in order to achieve proper justice. The inspiring field trips will allow you to get a first-hand experience with the topics discussed throughout the course.”
— Kevin Aldrich, former UNCW student
“Ben was not only one of our top law students at Wake Forest Law School, but he was also instrumental in starting the prosecutor’s clinic and returns each year as a guest lecturer. He is a skilled communicator and educator.”
— Ron Wright, Associate Dean for Research and Academic Programs & Needham Yancey Gulley Professor of Criminal Law, Wake Forest University