LIT 358 Landmark Case: Korematsu v. United States
3 hours.
Starting with the landmark Supreme Court case, Korematsu v. United States (1944), this course will explore the long history of legalized racism against those of Asian ancestry, starting in the 19th Century and culminating in Executive Order 9066 (1942), allowing U.S. citizens of Japanese ancestry to be put in internment camps, which was facilitated by Korematsu. Students will explore the history, significance, and aftermath of the Korematsu decision from legal, social, and cultural perspectives. Students will examine the human cost of the Korematsu decision by investigating archives relating to the camps, including diaries, pictures, maps, interviews and stories, and viewing media documenting racist attitudes of the time, such as movies about Dr. Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan.
Prerequisite
ENG 201 and junior standing or above
Notes
This course satisfies the John Jay College Option: Struggle for Justice and Equality in U.S (300-level) area of the Gen Ed Program.
This course was formerly offered under HUM 300 Landmark Supreme Court Cases.