Critical Race Theory
Future Offerings
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Critical Race Theory (7016): This course explores Critical Race Theory (CRT) and the various debates within and about it. CRT began in the 1980s as a movement within the legal academy to rethink the role of law and of racial ideology in sustaining racism and racial hierarchy. Some of the tenets of CRT made their way into other fields, including sociology, education, and cultural studies. Recently, CRT has become an object of criticism and controversy far beyond the academy. Some jurisdictions prohibit the teaching of CRT, and the President of the United States has been forthright in his opposition to it. There could not be a better time to teach, and learn about, critical race theory! This course will squarely confront these controversies, in order to identify both the strengths and shortcomings of the CRT project. What is critical race theory? Where did it come from? How do its adherents aim to illuminate and help counter the racism that has long plagued American society? By the end of the course you should have an understanding of CRT from the inside, so to speak. The course will also engage with various critiques of CRT. Just as critical race theory constitutes a critique of American law and institutions, so too will some of the readings and guest speakers take a critical perspective toward CRT. By the end of the course, you will also have an understanding of the nature of the harshest critiques of CRT. The course will draw upon a varied set of materials--law review articles, judicial opinions, books and magazines and podcasts and videos. The course will also include several guest speakers, including proponents and critics of CRT. The course will be conducted as a seminar, and will be extremely collaborative. Students will lead class discussions and engage with guest speakers. There will be a lot of small group work. Throughout we will ask hard questions about the readings and of our guests, all with the goal of understanding the racial dynamics of contemporary society and how best to respond to them. So that we can have productive conversations about hard issues, we will observe Chatham House rules; you may share with others the substance of our discussions, but not the identity of any student speakers. This approach will help us to maintain a spirit of inquiry, humility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from each other. So that everyone can focus on and be a part of the discussion, laptop use will not be permitted in class. Elements used in grading: TBA.
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Past Offerings
Critical Race Theory (7016): Developed in the 1970s and 1980s, and for decades relevant only to law professors and activists, Critical Race Theory has recently become an object of criticism and controversy far beyond the legal academy. Some of the tenets of Critical Race Theory have made their way into other fields, including sociology, education, and cultural studies. Jurisdictions throughout the United States have passed laws banning the teaching of Critical Race Theory. This class will examine the questions that are at the heart of current CRT controversies: What is critical race theory? Where did it come from? How does it illuminate and help counter the racism that has long plagued American society? Just as critical race theory constitutes a critique of American law and institutions, so too will the course take a critical perspective toward CRT, identifying both virtues and vices of the CRT project. The analysis of CRT, in turn, raises broad questions about the role of race and racism in American society and its intersection with law reform efforts. The readings will be varied. They will include law review articles and judicial opinions, and also articles drawn from the popular media. Special Instructions: Grades will be based on attendance, class participation and (1) a short research paper or (2) a long research paper with consent of the instructor. After the term begins, students accepted into the course can transfer from section (01) into section (02), which meets the R requirement, with consent of the instructor. Elements used in grading: Attendance, class participation, final paper.
Sections
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2023-2024 SpringSchedule No Longer Available
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2023-2024 SpringSchedule No Longer Available
Critical Race Theory (7016): Developed in the 1970s and 1980s, and for decades relevant only to law professors and activists, Critical Race Theory has recently become an object of criticism and controversy far beyond the legal academy. Some of the tenets of Critical Race Theory have made their way into other fields, including sociology, education, and cultural studies. Jurisdictions throughout the United States have passed laws banning the teaching of Critical Race Theory. In order to assess these developments, this course will examine the development and contemporary features of Critical Race Theory within the American legal academy. The course will trace the emergence of Critical Race Theory from the Legal Realism and Critical Legal Studies movements that preceded it, and contrast its approach with that of mainstream civil rights lawyers and analysts. The readings will be varied. They will include primarily law review articles and judicial opinions, and also articles drawn from the popular media. Throughout, the goal will be to understand the role of race and racism in American society and its intersection with law reform efforts, in the fields of education, employment, and criminal justice in particular. Special Instructions: Grades will be based on attendance, class participation and (1) a short research paper or (2) a long research paper with consent of the instructor. After the term begins, students accepted into the course can transfer from section (01) into section (02), which meets the R requirement, with consent of the instructor. Elements used in grading: Attendance, class participation, final paper.
Sections
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2022-2023 SpringSchedule No Longer AvailableThis class section has been cancelled!
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2022-2023 SpringSchedule No Longer AvailableThis class section has been cancelled!