Class Notes on Upcoming Finals and Historical Civil Rights Cases

  • Classroom Location Change
    • Discussing the possibility of moving to the Business Ed Building (BE 105) due to better seating:
    • Current seating is not conducive for working with books (only small desks available).
    • Confirmed no classes on Tuesdays this semester, making it an ideal time for meetings.
  • Important Dates
    • No face-to-face classes on Tuesday (next week)
    • Meetings will continue Thursday in a potential new classroom if available.
  • Final Preparation
    • Students are advised to start studying now for the final exam, which could be comprehensive.
    • Acknowledge the potential difficulty of the paper due.
    • Extra credit assignment may be posted on Canvas next week.
    • Importance of maintaining high grades for those planning to transfer or attend law school.
    • Cramming last minute is discouraged, especially for multiple final exams.
  • Reading Assignments
    • Reminders about required readings (Plessy vs. Ferguson and legal strategies for civil rights cases).
  • Legal Education and Civil Rights Advocacy
    • Discussion on Plessy v. Ferguson as a strategy case to challenge segregation to the Supreme Court.
    • Notable shift in public opinion on same-sex marriage, one of the key strategies.
    • Exploring strategies used by the NAACP to better support civil rights through legal avenues.
  • Specific Cases Discussed
    • Pearson v. Murray:
    • Charles Houston and Thurgood Marshall as key figures.
    • Case focused on the denial of admission to the University of Maryland due to race.
    • Court argued that there must be equal access to law schooling under the fourteenth amendment.
    • Gains v. Missouri:
    • L'Lord Gaines was denied admission to the University of Missouri.
    • Court addressed the state's duties to provide educational opportunities without racial discrimination.
    • Implications of Legal Decisions:
    • Importance of understanding how separate but equal was applied legally and socially.
    • Challenges faced by black students and the need for significant legal expertise from individuals such as Charles Houston.
  • Mathematics of Legal Arguments
    • Advocating for comprehensive legal arguments over simplistic conclusions, focusing on case study analyses.
    • Utilize critical thinking in understanding the historical context of civil rights cases and their outcomes.
  • Next Steps for Students
    • Stay engaged with upcoming readings, especially regarding significant cases like Sweat v. Painter and McLaurin.
    • Consider how these cases relate to earlier discussions regarding educational access.
  • Reminder for No Classes
    • No classes on Tuesday across all campuses.
    • Recommend starting preparation for finals during this time.
  • General Classroom Etiquette
    • Important to check emails regularly for announcements and updates regarding class-related information and assignments.
    • Active participation in discussions may enhance understanding and preparation for exams.