Legal Studies 394AI - Law & Social Activism
Spring
2025
01
3.00
Caitlyn Pierce
TU TH 2:30PM 3:45PM
UMass Amherst
52303
Dickinson Hall room 214
cmpierce@umass.edu
The relationship between law and social activism. The use of court decisions to effect change and mobilize support for causes. A critical look at such strategies to determine if and when they are effectve in achieving activists' goals. How sociolegal scholars should define social change and understand the role legal professionals play in structuring movement practices. Activism may include the Civil Rights movement, the women's movement, environmentalism, and so-called "green backlash." Readings, drawn from various disciplines, on such topics as cause lawyering and the legal profession, civil rights and the language of rights, and the structure of social movements and how to understand their impact on society. Satisfies the Integrative Experience requirement for BA-Legal major.
Open to Legal Studies majors only. LEGAL 101