Sociology 140f: Law and the Workplace

 

 

 

Spring 2008                                                                Prof. John Skrentny

Center 105                                                                   SSB  #490, tel. 534-0484

Tu,Th 3:30-4:50                                                          email:  jskrentny@ucsd.edu

Office Hours: Tu, Th., 1-2 and also by appt.

 

This course offers an overview of the legal response to a basic value of American society:  equal opportunity at work.  NOTE:  Students who have taken the LAWS 101 version of ÒLaw and the WorkplaceÓ are not eligible to take this course.

 

Assigned Text:  Michael J. Zimmer et al., Cases and Materials on Employment Discrimination, Sixth Edition, (Aspen Law, 2003).  Available at UCSD Bookstore.  There may also be additional cases available via email to your UCSD email addresses.

 

Course requirements: A midterm exam (50% of final grade) and a final exam (also 50% of final course grade).  The final will focus on material since the midterm but may contain a few elements from early in the course.  Exams are short answer/essay format.

Exam policy:  See the exam dates and do not take the class if you will have to miss the exams.  No make-up exams without a doctor's note detailing a verifiable medical excuse.

 

Class participation is not graded but is strongly encouraged.  Lecture material will go beyond readings and students are expected to master lecture, lecture-room discussion and reading materials.

 

Week 1:  Introduction to Employment and Labor Law

           

--Zimmer, chapter 1

 

Week 2:  Theories of Discrimination

 

            --Zimmer, chapter 2

            --Slack v. Havens, 522 F.2d 1091 (1975) (77-87)

            --Hazen Paper Co. v. Biggins (87-97)

 

Week 3:  Discrimination by Individuals

                       

            --McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 US 792 (1973) (97-104)

            --McDonald v. Sante Fe Trail, 427 US 273 (1976) (111-114, 117n12-120n16)

            --Patterson v. McLean Credit Union, 491 US 164 (1989) (122-123)

            --Price Waterhouse v. Hopkins, 490 US 228 (1990) (152-170n14)

 

Week 4: Systemic Discrimination, and BFOQs

 

            --Los Angeles Department of Water & Power v. Manhart, 435 US 702 (1978) (199-205)

            --TWA v. Thurston, 469 US 111 (1985) (206-210)

            --Teamsters v. US, 431 US 324 (1977) (210-218)

            --Hazelwood School District v. US, 433 US 299 (218-231)

            --International Union, UAW v Johnson Controls, 499 US 187 (1991) (265-282)

 

Week 5: Disparate Impact Discrimination and Affirmative Action

 

            --Griggs v. Duke Power, 401 US 424 (1971) (321-326)

            --Wards Cove Packing v. Atonio, 490 US 642 (1989) (326-342)

--Dothard v. Rawlinson, 433 US 321 (1977) (358-374)

            --Lanning v. SEPTA, 181 F3d 478 (3d Cir, 1999) (374-393)

            --EEOC v. JoeÕs Stone Crab, Inc., 220 F.3d 1263 (11th Cir, 2000)(438-451)

            --Adarand Constructors v. Pena, 515 US 200 (1995) (303-319)

 

MIDTERM:  May 6

 

Week 6 and 7: Sex Discrimination and Sexual Orientation

 

            --Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock v. EEOC, 462 US 669 (1983) (469-475)

            --Troupe v. May Department Stores, 20 F.3d 734 (7th Cir, 1994)(475-476)

            --Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson, 477 US 57 (1986)(486-491)

            --Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, 523 US 75 (1998)(492-502)

            --Burns v. McGregor Electronic Industries, 989 F.2d 959 (8th Cir, 1993)(502-506)

            --Harris v. Forklift Systems, Inc., 510 U.S. 17 (1993) (507-15)

            --Matvia v. Bald Head Island Management, 259 F.3d 261 (4th Cir, 2001)(526-541)

            --Craft v. Metromedia, Inc., 766 F.2d 1205 (8th Cir, 1985)(541-549)

--Desantis v. Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Co., 608 F.2d 327 (1979)(550-557)

            --Boy Scouts of America v. Dale, 530 US 640 (2000)(557-573)

 

March 8 and 9: Disability Discrimination

 

            --Bragdon v. Abbott, 524 US 624 (1998)(675-69)

            --Toyota Motor Manufacturing v. Williams, 534 US 184 (2002)(691-698)

--Albertsons v. Kirkinburg, 527 US 555 (1999)(769-776)

            --Deane v. Pocono Medical Center, 142 F.3d 138 (3d Cir, 1998)(722-730)

            --Vande Zande v. Wisconsin Dept. of Administration, 44 F3d 538 (1995)(735-745)

            --Reed v. Lepage Bakeries, 244 F.3d 254 (1st Cir, 2001)(786-791)

            --Zenor v. El Paso Healthcare System, 176 F.3d 847 (5th Cir, 1999)(793-799)

            --Despears v. Milwaukee County, 63 F.3d 635 (7th Cir, 1995)

 

Week 10: Religion, Nationality and Age

 

--Van Koten v. Family Health Mng., 1998 US App. Lexis 1837 (7th Cir., 1998)(582-594)

            --Wilson v. US West Communications, 58 F 3d 1337 (8th Cir, 1995)(594-602).

            --EEOC v. Sears Roebuck, 243 F.3d 846 (4th Cir, 2001)(618-636).

            Zimmer, pp. 657-9

 

FINAL EXAM:  MONDAY, JUNE 9, 3 to 5 PM