BUS311 Students:
We all face issues of discrimination, regardless of whether we are the target, or whether we observe injustice to others we know and care about. Equal rights legislation in the United States is always evolving, as is evidenced by the Supreme Court’s June 15, 2020 Bostock v. Clayton County decision, based on the precedent of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Issues of discrimination in the workplace have come a long way, and there is still a long way to go.
Our class will discuss such issues through the lens of the major motion picture On The Basis of Sex which is available for free through SWANK and the BMCC library (here’s a link!). Students should view the film and then submit an assignment (details below) which addresses the following questions:
- How did Ruth Bader Ginsburg address the gender discrimination she faced? How did she fight for gender equality as a lawyer?
- What challenges exist today regarding equal employment? Give a real or hypothetical example of how this might affect you personally.
- How are organizations attempting to eliminate discrimination in their hiring processes and operations? Do you think Ginsburg’s work has contributed to these efforts?
Student can choose the medium of the assignment. Past submissions have included:
- A 1-2 page opinion paper
- A video interview of a family member or friend who lived through the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, or subsequent Supreme Court rulings based on Title VII as a precedent
- A digital collage of reactions to legislation, demonstrating arguments on both sides of an issue pertaining to Title VII and workplace discrimination
I look forward to reading/exploring/listening to/watching your work!
–Professor B
