American Legal History, 1760-1920

Catalog description

Upper-level undergraduate seminar examining the history of issues that have been contested in recent U.S. legal decisions and practices. The main period covered is 1780-1920, but we will also consider the use and misuse of the history of this period in legal decisions and debates of the past two decades. Among the topics covered are Native American sovereignty; firearms use and regulation; slavery, servitude, and emancipation; women’s rights and reproductive freedom; and the meaning of citizenship. Enrollment limited. To be considered for admission, students must contact the instructor before the beginning of the semester. Instructor permission required.