Asian Americans and the Law

Catalog description

Since they began immigrating to the United States in the 1800s, Asian Americans have played a prominent role in America's legal history despite their small numbers. Yet, the role of Asian Americans in the development of American jurisprudence has not been well-studied in law schools. To begin to fill this gap, this course seeks to examine the rich legal history of Asian Americans in the United States. The course will focus on laws directed at and judicial decisions involving Asian Americans and the historical context behind those laws and cases. In doing so, the course will explore the historical themes seen in American jurisprudence involving Asian Americans--many of which continue to persist today. The goals for the course will be for each student to learn about the Asian American experience in the United States through America's legal history and to understand how that legal history relates to the legal issues that continue to impact people of Asian descent in the United States today. Grading will be based on: (1) attendance; (2) class participation; (3) writing assignments; and (4) a final paper. Each student must do at least one short presentation (10-15 minutes) based on the weekly reading (they may be group presentation). The weekly writing assignments will consist of: (1) three (3) short (1-2 pages) reaction papers; and (2) the submission of three discussion questions for the weeks in which the student chooses not to do a reaction paper. There will also be a final paper (approximately 15 pages).