FYSM 134 - What Have You Got to Lose Nat'l Security,Civil Lib & Pol Dissent in Amer

Institution:

Trinity College

Subject:

Description:

In response to the events of September 11, 2001 both the President and Congress undertook initiatives designed to strengthen national security and assist law enforcement agencies in preventing future terrorist attacks on the United States. President Bush issued a military order establishing military tribunals, which will function outside of the civilian and military court systems, and Congress passed the USA Patriot Act. Almost immediately civil libertarians and other concerned citizens challenged these actions, fearful that the civil liberties of Americans would be compromised. The debate between those who believe the new measures are necessary to maintain national security and those who view these measures as a genuine threat to our long tradition of civil liberties continues to command public attention. The tension between national security concerns and the protection of civil liberties by our Bill of Rights can be traced back to the very earliest days of the Republic. This seminar will place the current controversy in its historical context as we explore other moments in America's past when national security needs have collided with civil liberties. We will examine controversies surrounding the Alien and Sedition Acts; Lincoln's action to suspend the writ of habeas corpus during the Civil War; the trials of political dissidents during World War I; and the arrest and trials of suspected communists in the McCarthy era. We will also consider issues like flag desecration and draft card burning during the period of the Vietnam war as well as the most recent actions taken by President Bush and Congress. 1.00 units, Seminar

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.Trincoll.edu

Phone Number:

(860) 297-2000

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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