S. Current Issues in Civil Liberties and Civil Rights

This two-credit seminar will address current issues in civil liberties and civil rights arising at both the federal and state level. It is intended to be both timely and topical. As a result, the initial syllabus may be revised if new and significant issues later emerge. Among the broad topics that are likely to be discussed are hate speech, the regulation of online speech, reproductive rights, LGBT rights, religious rights, voting rights, affirmative action, and criminal Justice. Some topics will be discussed for one week, others for two weeks. In either case, we will begin by focusing first on background legal principles and then on applying those legal principles to each debated issue. We will also consider the real world consequences that flow from different legal outcomes

There is no casebook. Instead, weekly readings will consist of judicial decisions, statutory and regulatory texts, and published articles (both academic and popular). Any that are not easily accessible will be circulated prior to class. A 20-25 paper will be required at the end of the semester. Major writing credit is available with approval. The final grade will be based on the paper (2/3) and class participation (1/3).