POLS 280: Race and Law in the U.S.

Race and ethnicity continue to play a significant role in American politics. This course explores the early historical formation of racial categories, the role of policy in defining racial inequalities and racial boundaries, and how past political decisions are reflected in modern racial realities in the United States. Course topics include the law and history of slavery; segregation and Jim Crow laws; housing, employment, and voting rights; and education and criminal justice policies. This class emphasizes participation and reflection, as students learn to better understand political racialization and the intersections of race and law in the US.