“Class” is not an official category in American law, and yet American law is shaped by and shapes American understandings (or misunderstandings) about class in many ways. This seminar will begin with an introduction to the concept of class from selected anthropological, sociological, and/or historical readings. The instructor will then introduce several legal topics with class implications (e.g., affirmative action, New Deal wage and hour legislation, the debate over poverty as a suspect classification under the Equal Protection Clause). Students will then lead discussions on class-and-the-law seminar paper topics of their own choosing (with guidance from the instructor).
For details on class times, days of the week, instructors, and grading and exam details, please view the Michigan Law Class Schedule.