Juvenile Justice & the Color of Law
We will investigate the profound role of law and legal institutions in shaping and defining racial minority and majority communities. Students will interrogate the definition and meaning of race in U.S. society (e.g., whether race is biological, cultural, environmental, based on White supremacy, or a social construct that is constantly being transformed) and will critically examine the connection between law, race and racism, both in the historical and modern context. The course is a collaborative effort to learn the truths of our collective history; to share the truths of our individual experiences and lives; and, to determine if we desire a more just society, and if so, how to create our own paths and contributions to this endeavor.
Topics
- Explain the connection between law, race and racism in different analytical frameworks, including the frameworks listed in Course Objective #1. Demonstrate understanding of relevant law that has been previously applied to racial groups. Apply critically relevant law to hypothetical scenarios involving racial groups. Describe the four major schools of thought on law and race (i.e., neoconservative, liberal, critical legal studies, and critical race theory).
Official catalogue course objectives and student learning outcomes
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027