History 397SC - ST- Sex & the Supreme Court

Spring
2023
01
3.00
Jennifer Nye

TU 2:30PM 5:00PM

UMass Amherst
66522
Herter Hall room 212
jlnye@history.umass.edu
66607
This course focuses on the U.S. Supreme Court and its rulings regarding sex and sexuality. What has the Court said about what type of sexual activity or sexual relationships are constitutionally protected and how and why has this changed over time? What is or should be the Court?s role in weighing in on these most intimate issues? We will examine several hot button issues such as reproduction (sterilization/contraception/abortion); marriage (polygamous/interracial/same sex); pornography/obscenity; sodomy; sexual assault on college campuses; and sex education in public schools. We will consider how the Court and advocates framed these issues, used or misused historical evidence, and how the argument and/or evidence changed depending on the audience (i.e. the Court or the general public). Students will write several short argumentative essays, learn how to read and brief Supreme Court cases, and present an oral argument based on one of their argumentative essays. Prior law-related coursework is helpful, but not required.

Open to Seniors, Juniors & Sophomores only.

Permission is required for interchange registration during the add/drop period only.