POS 235 - Politics of Civil Rights & Social Justice

This course will focus on the intellectual underpinnings of social justice, associated movements, and civil rights under the law. The material will explore the intersection of social movements, public policy, and the rule of law on the evolution of, and transition to democratic regimes. Students will learn how social movements have shaped the understanding of human and civil rights over time. It will address the role of civic movements and leaders in transforming social experiences and meanings of contemporary human and civil rights (social, political, economic, and environmental rights). This class will also explore the legal area of civil rights and the principles, methods, and tactics of specific movements, such as the historical and contemporary women’s, African American, and LGBTQ civil rights movements in the United States. As the course progresses, we will also explore the politics of gender, race, and sexual orientation.

Credits: 3

Class Level Sophomore Undergraduate
Program Undergraduate