Special Topics: Religion and the Constitution

Overview

Subject area

POLSC

Catalog Number

29414

Course Title

Special Topics: Religion and the Constitution

Department(s)

Description

This course examines the First Amendment's Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses. The two Religion Clauses continue to be a focus of controversy in the legal and political arenas. The course will examine Supreme Court opinions interpreting the Religion Clauses. Topics arising under the Establishment Clause include prayer in public school classrooms, religious symbols on public property, and government funding of parochial school education. Topics arising under the Free Exercise Clause as well as statutory analogs for freedom of religion such as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act include the rights of members of a religion to be exempt from compulsory education laws and the rights of religious objectors to be excused from legal requirements such as compliance with the Affordable Care Act and anti-discrimination laws.

Typically Offered

Fall, Spring

Academic Career

Undergraduate

Liberal Arts

Yes

Credits

Minimum Units

3

Maximum Units

3

Academic Progress Units

3

Repeat For Credit

No

Components

Name

Lecture

Hours

3

Requisites

012520

Course Schedule