LAW-6352 SOCIAL JUSTICE: THE STORIES
The law is sometimes viewed in terms of stories and lawyers as storytellers. Some propose that stories are the lifeblood of law, ensuring the vitality and relevance of law, as well as the responsiveness of judges to participants in the legal system. This seminar will introduce students to narrative theory and its application to lawyering. Then students will consider the interplay between narratives and social justice in cases involving welfare rights, environmental justice, and homelessness. Finally, the course will explore the stories behind major civil rights cases, such as Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade, Bowers v. Hardwick, and Loving v. Virginia. The seminar is a paper course; students may satisfy the Upper Level Writing Requirement through this course.