LAW 7178

Discrimination

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2017-2018.

In this seminar we will study a range of theoretical puzzles about the law regulating discrimination. We will use examples from discrimination in contexts of employment, service-provision, education, and others, and on various grounds, such as, race, religion, age, sexuality, political viewpoint, etc.,. We will address questions at a fairly abstract level, trying to understand the philosophical principles that might explain the various aspects of anti-discrimination law. Such questions include, for example, the fundamental question of what makes discrimination wrongful, when it is? Does its wrongness depend on the consequences, and/or on historical contingencies? What makes a certain ground of discrimination an improper ground? What should be the reach of anti-discrimination laws (e.g. should they regulate romantic relationships, family relations, etc.,)?  Is indirect discrimination ('disparate impact') really a kind of discrimination or a violation of some principle of equality? And similar questions.

When Offered Fall.

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