Introductory Topics in Legal Studies (276-0-1)
Topic
Japanese American 'Internment'
Instructors
Shana B Bernstein
847/467-6850
620 Lincoln #205
Dr. Bernstein received her Ph.D. in U.S. History from Stanford University. Her research focuses on 20th century social reform, specifically civil rights and environmental justice. She teaches classes in Legal Studies, American Studies, and History on comparative race and ethnicity, immigration, and the history of health.
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 2-415: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM
Overview of class
Legal_St 276-0-20 "Japanese American 'Internment'" (also ASIAN_AM 220-1), Shana Bernstein (Fall 2023)
Twice since 9/11 politicians have referred to the World War II imprisonment of Japanese Americans as a possible precedent for policies toward Muslims. Yet many Americans remain ignorant about this important and understudied episode in U.S. history. This seminar-style course examines events leading up to the mass imprisonment of a group of people based on race, the role played by wartime emergency language, the experiences of Japanese Americans, and the consequences of this wartime policy. It focuses on the intersections between race, gender, nation, and law. Readings include secondary and primary sources, including related court cases, executive orders, documentary films, memoirs, and fiction. Note this is a discussion-based class.
Students will be expected to read and participate daily, as well as write three papers throughout the quarter (two approx. 3-5 pages, one 8-10 pages).
Learning Objectives
1. Analyze the imprisonment from multiple perspectives, experiences, and primary sources (e.g. including traditional texts, documentary films, memoir, government documents, photographs, art, and other primary sources, as well as fiction).
2. Identify and explain events leading up to the mass imprisonment of a group of people based on race, the role played by wartime emergency language, the experiences of Japanese Americans, and the consequences of this wartime policy.
3. Explore and analyze intersections among race, gender, nation, and the law, both in the context of the treatment of Japanese Americans during World War II as well as in a larger historical context.
4. Understand the role of law in justifying the imprisonment, and in its aftermath.
5. Foster analytical, reading, discussion, and writing skills.
6. Learn to analyze the past using both primary and secondary sources.
Teaching Method
Seminar/Discussion
Evaluation Method
Papers worth 70% of the course grade (20%, 20%, 30%) Discussion worth 30% of the course grade
Class Materials (Required)
• Yoshiko Uchida, University of Washington Press, Desert Exile: The Uprooting of a Japanese American Family, 2015, ISBN 9780295994758, paperback
• Mine Okubo, University of Washington Press, Citizen 13660, 2014, ISBN 9780295993546, paperback
• Course Packet (will be available at Quartet)