Law and Society: Landmark Cases in Social Justice Instructor: Theodore Myhre, School of Law In the United States, the Constitution serves as the social contract between society and the individual. As society changes, so does the way in which people understand and apply the Constitution. This Discovery Seminar will examine four landmark cases that changed the rights of key groups of individuals within our society in terms of race, gender, or sexuality. During the first week, we will learn about the U.S. Constitution and its interpretations. During the next three weeks, we will explore race & the law, gender & the law, and sexuality & the law through four Supreme Court cases: Korematsu v. United States (Japanese internment camps); Brown v. Board of Education (racially segregated school systems); Roe v. Wade (women’s right to choose); and Lawrence v. Texas (sodomy laws and gay sex). Students will use discussions, readings, small group work, in-class presentations, and a few written responses to develop a critical understanding of the interrelationship between law and social justice. Classes are fully engaged and interactive. This course will especially appeal to students interested in American Studies, English, History, Law, Political Science, Social Work, Sociology, or Women’s Studies. Meets: MTWTh 9:30-12:00
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