Discussion (1L): American Identity, Pluralism, and Multiracial Democracy

Catalog description

There is a lot of talk these days about America as a multiracial democracy in crisis. This is often described as a clash between our highest ideals as Americans and darker realities that have emerged within our politics. However, this discourse often evades any discussion of the more complex underbelly of contradictions that "America" is. "America" is and has been many things at once, and fights over just who and what is "American" are nothing new. This seminar explores the many contradictions within American political and cultural identity and the various ways that the law and legal frameworks have attempted to reconcile those contradictions. In this seminar, we well read a selection of academic and popular analysis of this crisis against a backdrop of legal and political writings on American identity and pluralism. We will contrast the present discussions of America's struggles over minority rights, discrimination, and cultural pluralism with political theory and historical accounts on the development of American cultural identity. We will explore themes of race, culture, religion, culture, and colonialism. Elements used in grading: Full attendance, reading of assigned materials, and active participation. Class meets: 4:30 PM-6:30 PM on Oct. 8, Oct. 15, Oct. 22, Nov 5.