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Law and Religion

Law and Religion - Professor Jim Oleske

Course Number: LAW-482
Course Type: Highly Specialized
Credits: 2
Enrollment Limit: 18
Description: This limited enrollment, highly specialized course explores one of the most hotly disputed issues in the law—the proper relationship between government and religion. Church-state issues have bedeviled the Supreme Court for more than half a century, and conflicts between religion and the law are at the center of several contemporary debates (e.g., religious objections to contraceptive-coverage requirements and same-sex marriage laws). Students in the course will engage in an in-depth study of the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses of the First Amendment as well as other federal and state laws concerning religious liberty.
Prerequisite: Constitutional Law II.

Note: Students are permitted to take Con Law II and Law and Religion in the same semester, but students who choose to do so should be aware that some discussions in Law and Religion will assume knowledge of Con Law II concepts.

Evaluation Method: Class participation and a final exam
Capstone: no
WIE: no

The American Bar Association accreditation standards require students to regularly attend the courses in which they are registered. Lewis & Clark expects students to attend classes regularly and to prepare for classes conscientiously. Specific attendance requirements may vary from course to course. Any attendance guidelines for a given class must be provided to students in a syllabus or other written document at the start of the semester. Sanctions (e.g., required withdrawal from the course, grade adjustment, and/or a failing grade) will be imposed for poor attendance.