Prerequisites: None

Exam Type: No Exam

This course will provide an overview of the history, policies and legal challenges related to the integration of women and minorities in the U.S. military.

We will examine political and legislative developments that paved the way for civil rights recognition and enforcement, including the unique legal, institutional, and political processes that defined and continue to shape terms of engagement in the various branches of the Armed Professions. Students will examine key aspects of employment and service for minorities and underrepresented groups in recruitment, admission to service academies, combat roles and deployments. In addition to caselaw and legislative developments, course materials for this class will examine the role of adversarial litigation and military courts in enforcing civil rights in the armed professions.

Students will be evaluated on the basis of their oral participation in the form of in class discussions as well as a case presentation (either individually or in a group) to the class in whatever format they choose. Finally, students will write a short essay.