LARTS 354 — Civil Rights: Theory and Practice

3 credits
Spring
Anita Mercier

Prerequisite: LARTS 112 Civil rights protect citizens from discrimination and secure the bases of equal participation in social and political life. Examples of civil rights include the right to vote, freedom of conscience and religion, due process and equal protection under the law, and freedom of speech and assembly. In this course we will examine the philosophical foundations of civil rights in political theory and legal doctrine, with readings from thinkers such as Aristotle, Aquinas, Locke, Kant, Bentham, Mill, Singer and Rawls, as well as seminal court decisions. At the same time, we will learn how minorities and members of marginalized groups have marshaled powerful ideas to their cause in quest of freedom from discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and physical disability. We will pay particular attention to civil rights issues in contemporary society, such as reproductive freedom, gun control, same-sex marriage, hate speech, and affirmative action.