Race and the Law in America
AFAM 312
Spring 2007
| Section:
01
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| Crosslisting:
AMST 342, HIST 322 |
This course examines the construction of racial identity in the American legal system from the colonial period to the present. Throughout American history, the law has reinforced popular racial prejudices and distinctions held by the public at large. However, it has also played a major role in constructing racial hierarchy. In fact, this class will argue that the law has been one of the primary tools for creating race in America. Topics to be covered include: race and the origins of American slavery, whiteness and working-class identity, gender, race, and the expansion of suffrage, the creation of de jure segregation in the era of Jim Crow, and the dismantling of that system in the latter half of the 20th century. We will also explore how ideas about integration, race blind social policies, and affirmative action continue to spur debate in the 21st century. |
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Essential Capabilities:
None |
| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS AFAM |
| Course Format: Seminar | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: None |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
C. Vann Woodward, THE STRANGE CAREER OF JIM CROW
Melton McLaurin, CELIA, A SLAVE
Randall Kennedy, RACE, CRIME, AND THE LAW
Yasuhide Kawashima, IGNITING KING PHILIP'S WAR: THE JOHN SASSAMON MURDER TRIAL
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Examinations and Assignments:
Take-home midterm 25%
Attendance and discussion 25%
Final research paper 50% |
| Instructor(s): Emberton,Carole Tereza Times: ..T.R.. 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: CAAS CONF; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 15 | | SR major: 4 | JR major: 4 | | |
| Seats Available: 5 | GRAD: 0 | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 2 | FR: 0 |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 11 | 1st Ranked: 2 | 2nd Ranked: 2 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 7 |
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