Although they form a smaller percentage of the United States population, Asian Americans have been at the center of many legal controversies—some historic cases that involve issues still of relevance today and some contemporary cases that present challenging and contentious questions. The objectives of the course are to examine the legal history of people of Asian descent in the United States; to understand the prominent role that Asian Americans have played in the nation’s legal and political history; and to understand the perceptions and experiences of Asian Americans in contemporary society.

The class will require students to use primary legal sources and read them within their historical context. Students will also explore how the Constitution, statutes, regulations, and judicial decisions are placed within their historical context to trace this history and the themes it reveals.

Satisfies the Writing Requirement. Enrollment is limited.

Recommended for the Following Professional Pathways: Civil Rights/Civil Liberties; Government and Public Interest

2 Credits