Course Details

Is justice blind? The course will focus on the impact of race on American justice. We will explore the meaning of race in 20th century American culture and look at multiple legal and cultural matters and subjects such as Plessy v. Ferguson, Yick Wo, the Rhinelander case, passing, the Scottsboro Boys, Emmett Till, Brown v. Board of Education, the Central Park Jogger, O.J. Simpson, mass incarceration and death penalty cases, sentencing, police practices and the Constitution, Trayvon Marin, the chokehold controversy, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, "white privilege", stand your ground, the "post-racial society" and other related themes. The course will use a variety of readings, music, film, art and poetry.