Reading for Justice and Law

This course will familiarize students with critical concepts that shape the U.S. legal system, and its administration of justice, with a concentration on reading to understand the relationship between law and justice and its impact on our daily lives. As such, students will learn about the systems and institutions that shape the legal framework of the United States through the reading of various texts, including, but not limited to, case studies, memoirs, scholarly articles, and investigative reports. Readings and discussions will center around the foundational elements of the U.S. legal system, such as the Constitution and the criminal justice system which students will critically analyze through varied legal and philosophical lenses. Topics may include theories of justice and law, with a focus on the penal system, trial by jury, the death penalty, and practical applications of legal vocabulary. Critical reading skills and comprehension of the lexicon of law and basic legal concepts will be prioritized throughout the course.

Fall, Spring

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