Race, Religion and Criminal Justice - 2254

This course examines the legal treatment of religion in various contexts, paying particular attention to the intersection of race and criminal justice. As a course that is primarily interdisciplinary in its approach, this exploration necessarily involves study of how law impacts and shapes religion, and in turn how religion impacts law and policy. The class focuses on the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment as well as other areas of law, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). Topics include Civil Religion, Death Penalty, Intoxicants and Worship, Prison Rights, and Islam in Prison. The course will involve the development of a research topic and plan of research, development of a working outline of the project, submission of an initial draft, and submission of a final draft.