LEGAL 271 - Civil Rights

5.0 Credits
This course surveys the range of civil rights and liberties under the U.S. and Washington State Constitutions, amendments, and laws, focusing on federal and state protections. Topics include anti-discrimination, privacy, voting rights, free speech, religious freedom, and rights of the accused. Students examine civil rights movements, litigation under Section 1983, and current legal trends. Emphasis is placed on practical paralegal skills for handling civil rights cases, including legal analysis, case management, and ethical responsibilities, preparing students to support advocacy and litigation. No prior legal training or experience is required to take this course.
Course-level Learning Objectives (CLOs)
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Differentiate between civil rights and civil liberties, outlining their legal foundations in federal and state law, emphasizing how these rights are enforced across jurisdictions.
Identify and evaluate civil liberties protected by the U.S. Constitution, including freedoms addressed in the First Amendment, and describe their modern applications and protections under civil rights law.
Describe the historical development of critical civil rights movements in the U.S., including those for racial equality, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and Indigenous rights, examining how these movements have shaped contemporary civil rights protections.
Analyze the impact of landmark civil rights policies and judicial decisions on societal views, legislation, and the scope of protections for marginalized communities, covering diverse areas such as employment, housing, education, and healthcare.
Explain the role of advocacy, social movements, and political institutions beyond the courts in advancing civil rights and identifying how these forces contribute to statutory and societal change.
Examine the procedural steps and statutory remedies available for civil rights claims, particularly for private citizens seeking redress for rights infringements by state or local governments.
Apply critical thinking skills to hypothetical civil rights scenarios, identifying key legal issues, assessing relevant statutes, and drawing concise legal conclusions.
Evaluate the effects of economic inequality, workplace discrimination, and criminal justice reform on civil rights and examine ongoing policy efforts to address these systemic issues within federal and state frameworks.
Analyze the evolving landscape of civil rights law in light of intersectionality, recognizing how overlapping identities affect individuals’ legal experiences and rights protections in areas like immigration, digital privacy, and environmental justice.
Demonstrate knowledge of the ethical and professional responsibilities of paralegals in civil rights cases, including client confidentiality, advocacy, and support in managing case documentation, legal research, and compliance with procedural requirements.

Course Typically Offered
Summer