Legal Studies 39D, Section 1
Current Political and Moral Conflicts and the U.S. Constitution (2 units, LG)
Mr. Alan Pomerantz
Monday 10:00-12:00, 203 Wheeler Hall, CCN: 51503

The U.S political and moral debate has moved steadily into the realm of the Supreme Court. Some have strongly argued that the Court's interpretation and application of the Constitution have adversely affected our fundamental rights, usurped powers from other branches of government, disregarded all notions of federalism, upset the separation of powers necessary for a stable democracy, and created an "Imperial Judiciary." Others have argued as strongly that the Court has acted properly to protect fundamental freedoms and individual rights in the face of unprecedented political and governmental efforts to limit them, and in doing so has fulfilled the role envisioned for the Court by the Constitution. Conducted by the Socratic method, the seminar examines current controversial moral and political issues that have a constitutional basis and the Court's participation in the debate. Topics include gay rights (including gay marriage), abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, college speech codes, "hate" speech, and racial and ethnic profiling. Participants will read the relevant Supreme Court cases, and political and legal commentary from across the political spectrum. The course is designed for students who wish to learn how to think--not what to think. Accordingly, students will be asked to develop and apply critical thinking skills to the course work, and learn not only what the Justices of the Court think, but also why they think as they do. Students are expected to develop and support their own views and opinions regarding the relevant topics This seminar may be used to satisfy the Philosophy and Values or Social and Behavioral Sciences breadth requirement in Letters and Science.

Alan J. Pomerantz, Esq., is a practicing lawyer and Senior Counsel of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, a major international law firm. A graduate of the NYU School of Law, he also studied in Chile and received an advanced legal degree from the University of Amsterdam (Netherlands). He has lectured and taught widely, including at the NYU School of Law, NYU College of Arts and Science, the University of Amsterdam, Columbia Graduate School, and the University of Concepcion (Chile). He has published numerous articles and contributed to several treatises on legal topics. Mr. Pomerantz is recognized by several peer publications as one of the world's leading lawyers. Mr. Pomerantz has participated in important and controversial matters affecting individual rights, including death penalty appeals, right of public artistic expression, right of privacy for acts of consenting adults, and numerous free speech cases.