Spring 2009

GOV 357M • Civil Liberties

Course Description

This seminar will concentrate on selected topics about civil liberties in America. Topics will include: freedom of religion; free speech; abortion and privacy; racial and gender discrimination; the death penalty; and justice in times of war. Readings will primarily be drawn from court cases but assignments will also include readings from classical and contemporary political theorists.

Grading Policy

Midterm paper (7-10 pages): 25% Final term paper (20 pages): 50% Participation/Attendance: 25%

Texts

Sullivan and Gunther, CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (Foundation Press/Thomson/West) John Stuart Mill, ON LIBERTY (Hackett pb) Isaiah Berlin, Four Essays on Liberty (Oxford pb) Cohen, Marshall, RIGHTS AND WRONGS OF ABORTION (Princeton pb)

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