With the death of Houston native George Floyd as a backdrop, the University of Houston Law Center is introducing a class involving social justice and the law this upcoming semester.
Jan. 12, 2021 - The University of Houston Law Center is launching a special topics course, "George Floyd and the Aftermath: Equal Justice and the Law," for the Spring 2021 semester.
Floyd, a native of Houston's Third Ward adjacent to the UH campus, was killed on May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis when a police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes. Floyd's death sparked nationwide protests and renewed calls for social justice.
“George Floyd’s death last summer was tragic and dispiriting to many Americans especially people of color,” said Dean Leonard M. Baynes. “His death made so many Americans realize that there is still considerable disparities and inequities in our society in the areas of law enforcement as well as employment, education, health care and many other sectors.
“I am very proud that the Law Center community came together to organize this course to teach our students about race, racism and the law. But most importantly, I am glad that we came together to give Mr. Floyd’s death meaning! Kudos to my faculty colleagues and the students in participating in this special intercession course.”
The course will be administered by Professor Meredith J. Duncan, the George Butler Research Professor of Law. Duncan and Clinical Professor Geoffrey Hoffman, the Director of the Immigration Clinic, are co-chairs of the Law Center's Diversity and Inclusion Committee.
Topics and participating faculty members include:
