RELI 640: Religion and Law

RELI 640-001: Religion and Law
(Spring 2015)

10:30 AM to 11:45 AM MW

Section Information for Spring 2015

Can Evangelical Christians like David Green and his family choose not to offer birth control to employees of their Hobby Lobby stores, which is required by the Federal Government to be part of all health plans? Can Muslim Abdul Maalik Muhammad, an inmate in an Arkansas state prison grow a long beard for religious purposes even though it violates prison rules? Is a citizen-led prayer at the start of a town meeting in Greece, NY a violation of the Establishment of Religion Clause? These are some of the issues addressed in Religion and Law in the U.S. In this course, you will study Supreme Court decisions on the Free Exercise and Establishment of Religion clause and become an expert in the current law on religion. If you are thinking of law school, this course will teach you how to read a case and do legal analysis.

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Focuses on United States Supreme Court decisions on religion clauses over the last 50 years. Provides a close reading of court's opinions and considers material from religious legal traditions. Covers contemporary political debates on issues like prayer in public schools, displays of religious symbols, ceremonial references to God, and public aid to religious schools. May not be repeated for credit.
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lecture
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.