7327. American Public Education and the Constitution

American Public Education & the Constitution provides an in-depth examination of the legal principles and underlying politics that shape public education in the United States. This course covers the constitutional and public law aspects of education, focusing on the rights and responsibilities of students, teachers, and school administrators within the K-12 education system. Through rigorous analysis of landmark Supreme Court cases, federal statutes, and state laws, particularly in Connecticut, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape governing public schools. Topics include student rights concerning conduct, free speech, and search and seizure, as well as teacher rights related to constitutional protections, employment, and collective bargaining. The course will also compare the legal and political environment around public education in the United States with those of other countries in the Global North (like Germany and France) and the Global South (like South Africa, India, and Brazil).