Spring 2013
    Law No.: LAW9157
    Sched. No.: 113210176

Citizenship and Group Identity*
Section 1
X
Abrams, Karen L.



Administrative Information:
During SIS enrollment, check on SIS for real-time enrollment numbers
Days, Times (Room):F, 1300-1500 (WB129)
Credits:3Type:Seminar
Capacity:16 **This information is current as of 05/22/2013 06:17:45 AM**
Current Enrollment:15 **This information is current as of 05/22/2013 06:17:45 AM**
Syllabus: View Syllabus (requires LawWeb account)



Course Description:

What does it mean to be a citizen? Citizenship theorists have examined citizenship as pertaining to legal status as well as political, social, and cultural rights. Citizenship can also mean something more abstract—a sense of belonging to a nation. Citizenship rights are further complicated by other identities relating to family allegiance, gender, race, ethnicity, and social class. And citizenship is always changing: nations build their own identities by creating rules for which individuals will be included in national membership and by integrating new citizens into the polity.

This seminar will explore the various forms of citizenship and group identity reflected in law. We will consider theories of citizenship, examine closely the history of citizenship law in the United States, and compare how citizenship is conceived of and debated in the U.S. with ideas of citizenship in other countries. We will ask whether citizenship is still the dominant method of understanding membership, both legally and culturally, or whether it is being replaced by other identities.

COURSE REQUIREMENT: A substantial research paper, two short response papers, and active class participation

This course is on the approved upper-level writing requirement course list.