During the past century, American universities have evolved from being largely white, male, and Protestant to being more diverse in many ways. However, some policies that have contributed to this progress are being abandoned or distorted. For example, in 2023 the Supreme Court prohibited race-based affirmative action, a major vehicle for achieving racial diversity. And programs that were originally designed to counter discrimination based on individuals' identities have sometimes increased divisions among people with different identities. The universities' missions of seeking truth and engaging in critical inquiry have been undermined by both conservative and progressive actors. Civil and critical discourse are in decline. Controversies about the war in Gaza and current directives by the Trump administration have only exacerbated these problems. We will examine the nature and causes of these and related problems, and consider possible solutions. In particular, we will consider (1) The centrality of critical inquiry and barriers to engaging in it; (2) affirmative action in college admissions; (3) free expression on campus and limitations on it; (4) academic freedom; and (5) "DEI" programs and other efforts to make matriculated students feel that they belong at the institution and to foster their inclusion in its academic and other activities. The conduct of the class will model civil, critical discourse. Elements used in grading: Full attendance, reading of assigned materials, and active participation.
1 units · Law Mandatory P/R/F
During the past century, American universities have evolved from being largely white, male, and Protestant to being more diverse in many ways. However, some policies that have contributed to this progress are being abandoned or distorted. For example, in 2023 the Supreme Court prohibited race-based affirmative action, a major vehicle for achieving racial diversity. And programs that were originally designed to counter discrimination based on individuals' identities have sometimes increased divisions among people with different identities. The universities' missions of seeking truth and engaging in critical inquiry have been undermined by both conservative and progressive actors. Civil and critical discourse are in decline. Controversies about the war in Gaza and current directives by the Trump administration have only exacerbated these problems. We will examine the nature and causes of these and related problems, and consider possible solutions. In particular, we will consider (1) The centrality of critical inquiry and barriers to engaging in it; (2) affirmative action in college admissions; (3) free expression on campus and limitations on it; (4) academic freedom; and (5) "DEI" programs and other efforts to make matriculated students feel that they belong at the institution and to foster their inclusion in its academic and other activities. The conduct of the class will model civil, critical discourse. Elements used in grading: Full attendance, reading of assigned materials, and active participation.
Offered in Autumn 2025 at Stanford University.