LGS 271 - Civil Rights Law

3 credit hours - Three hours weekly; one term.
This course meets the Arts and Humanities General Education Requirement. This course meets the Diversity Requirement.

Focus on the historical perspective of discrimination based on race, gender, national origin, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity using United States Supreme Court decisions and federal legislation as well as extrajudicial data and experiences to address and analyze civil rights issues of discrimination, exploitation, and differential treatment in the law and society. Gain perspective on the social and historical structures in place that both advance discrimination and provide remedies for resolving the effects of discrimination. Topics include local government reaction to federal civil rights legislation, voting rights, marriage and reproductive rights, contract rights, employment, education, public accommodation, and property rights.

Note: This course is not considered a legal specialty course for the purpose of earning legal specialty credits in the Paralegal Studies Program. Credit will not be given for LGS 271 and also CJS 271. Typically offered at MC and OL; fall and spring terms.

Course Outcomes:

Identify and summarize primary sources of law as a foundation to understanding the application and effect of the law on gender, race, national origin, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Summarize and analyze historical and social perspectives of discrimination and exploitation in the evolution of the struggle for equality for gender, race, national origin, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation and gender identity including exploring the societal context of the political and legal structures.
Identify and evaluate hidden bias and how such bias effects perspective on differential treatment based on gender, race, national origin, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Evaluate judicial recognition for differential treatment based on gender, race, national origin, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity based on constitutional grounds.
Analyze the application of equal protection jurisprudence to provide a basis for evaluating discrimination based upon gender, race, national origin, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Develop and use strong verbal and written communication skills to evaluate and debate civil rights issues of those discriminated upon based on race, gender, national origin, disability ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Summarize and evaluate methods of local, national, and global community involvement in civil rights issues, identifying organizations, methodology, legal process and ways for individuals to actively become involved.