This course is aimed at familiarising students with selected theories on the source and nature of civil liberties, and with laws and applications which affect civil liberties, such as employment discrimination, sexual harassment, and privacy. Other topics which may be included are protest, dwarf tossing, fluoridation of public water, corporal punishment, smacking, smoking restrictions, pornography, school students' rights, affirmative action, the death penalty, innovative punishments, sex and religious education in schools, young people's access to contraceptives, public nudity, and religious practices. Class time will be devoted to lecture, class discussion, and student presentations. There will be an 'open book' final exam requiring students to state the relevant law correctly, apply it to a given set of facts, and be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of laws and procedures affecting civil liberties.
Students can undertake an optional research project.
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