Law and the 1960s

Catalog description

In this seminar we will explore the impact of law on the politics, beliefs, culture, and possibilities of the 1960s, and the impact of the politics, passions, challenges, culture, and beliefs of the 1960s on both law and legal institutions. In doing so we will draw on a variety of primary materials, including cases, extracts from memoirs and oral histories, film, and literature, and secondary materials, drawing mostly on the work of legal scholars, lawyers, and historians. Among the topics that we will consider will be law's role in the Civil Rights movement and the challenges raised by many in the movement to reliance on law as a means to achieving freedom and equality, law and the Vietnam War, and the struggle for control over university space engaged in by students, and their supporters along with university administrators and their supporters (Yes, I know this last one sounds quite familiar). One of the questions that we will be asking ourselves is to what extent was Sixties law distinctive. One of the possible distinguishing characteristics of some law of that period was the willingness of courts to expand their reach to institutions that had previously been accorded much deference of courts. Some of these institutions include, police courts (similar to night court of tv sit-com fame), police headquarters, schools, mental hospitals, prisons, and the military. Depending on particular areas of student interest, we will explore whether or not law changed in the Sixties in regard to the exercise of state, or state supported, power over individuals in these settings. This is a seminar which meets once a week. Consequently, class attendance is very important. Students will write a paper, which can fulfill the writing requirement if the student hasn't yet done so. Cleveland and Northeast Ohio play a prominent role in our legal history, and students are encouraged to consider writing on a topic connected to the area. The paper will be the principle basis for the grade, but class participation and each student's presentation of their work in the last two weeks of class will also constitute a portion of the grade.