III. Orientation to the Course
The syllabus sets the learning objectives relevant to implicit bias training.
While it is hardly arguable that preparing you to be an effective lawyer is a significant goal, it is not the only one. Many of you will be lawmakers and policy makers, and training you to understand the values implicit in the law is an important goal. Another important goal is to train you to address in a systematic manner your social responsibilities as an individual lawyer and your collective responsibilities as a member of the bar. This objective includes a student's responsibility to assist the community in maintaining an accessible, effective and socially responsible legal system.
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C. Teaching Objective #3: Diversity/Bias-Conscious Legal Pedagogy
Socioeconomic class, disability, gender, race, religion and sexual preference issues are such an integral part of our society (and the legal profession) that we often overlook how the law affects individuals with different backgrounds differently. In a diverse society, such as ours, understanding of how a different socioeconomic class, disability, gender, race, and sexual preference are affected differently by the law is essential. The importance of understanding the role of diversity is true whether the person is a defendant, plaintiff, lawyer, juror, judge, or law student. Diversity skills should be a normative part of the value system of the practicing attorney. The objectives of this course are to:
Explore how racial, ethnic, gender, socioeconomic class, disability, cultural, and sexual orientation are related to and impacted by the structure of law. Illuminate the connection between racial and gender issues and the values, interests, rules and theories that appear to be neutral but, are in fact a representation of the values of the dominant culture; frame discussion so that we step outside the doctrinal bounds of the law to critique the rules and legal practice; and, focuses discussion on problems, interests, and values that reflect a broad range of perspectives.
