EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION
Mary Radford
mradford@gsu.edu
404/651-2088
404/651-2092 (fax)
Assignments and
Announcements
Course Materials
Discussion
Web Links
Course Syllabus
Text: Zimmer, Sullivan, Richards
& Calloway, Cases & Materials on Employment
Discrimination (4th Edition)
Supplement: A statutory supplement is
available in the bookstore. Alternatively, you may pull
the statutes from the course web page (WEB LINKS).
Attendance, Preparation and Participation
Policies:
Students are expected to attend each class prepared to
discuss the materials and problems assigned. Extra points
may be awarded for both class participation and perfect
attendance. The professor reserves the right to refuse to
permit any student who has missed six or more classes to
take the final exam.
Grading Policy:
The final grade will be based on the student's grade on
the final examination, with the addition of any extra
points earned for class attendance and participation. The
exam will be an open-book exam.
Student Appointments:
The professor is generally available to discuss course
issues with students. Please call her office
(404-651-2088) to make a mutually convenient appointment.
Alternatively, you may e-mail questions to mradford@gsu.edu
Make-up Exams:
All arrangements for make-up exams must be made through
the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Course Coverage:
This course will be divided into two parts. Apart from
the introduction and overview, Part I will focus on
methodology: the different methods of proof and the
available defenses in employment discrimination cases. We
will move from the basic discharge cases to more complex
claims of systemic (pattern and practice) discrimination.
We will also examine challenges to common employment
practices and eligibility requirements which, while
facially neutral, may operate to the disadvantage of
protected groups. While these methods of proof are used
under all the EEO statutes, we will concentrate on the
most significant statutes - Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964 and the Civil Rights Act of 1991.
Upon establishing the necessary foundation, we will
advance to Part II to examine special problem areas in
EEO law. This will include a study of issues such as sex
and pregnancy discrimination, discrimination based on
religion, discrimination on the basis of disability,
affirmative action, reverse discrimination, etc.
The attached Syllabus contains the assignments for the
first weeks of the course. You will receive one or more
additional assignment sheets as the course progresses.
This Syllabus provides a general plan for the course.
Deviations may be necessary.
SYLLABUS - PART I
NOTE TO STUDENTS: The materials on pp. 35-89 contain
discussions of certain policy issues in discrimination
law. These materials MUST be read prior to February 22,
1999.
Week I Introduction: Overview of Title VII and
its Relationship to Other Laws Used to Combat Employment
Discrimination; Coverage of Title VII
Proving Unlawful Discrimination: Individual
Disparate Treatment
Assignments:
Jan. 11 Text, pp. 3-34, 96-118
Jan. 13, Text, pp. 582-93, Title VII,
Secs. 701, 702, 703(A-C), 704
Week II Proving Unlawful Discrimination:
Individual Disparate Treatment (cont.)
Assignment:
Jan. 18 - NO CLASS - MLK HOLIDAY
Jan. 20 - Text, pp. 118-24, 140-48
Week III Proving Unlawful Discrimination:
Individual Disparate Treatment (cont.) Systemic
Disparate Treatment; Pattern & Practice of
Discrimination
Assignments:
Jan. 25 Text, pp. 157-201, Title VII Secs. 703(m), 706(g)(2)(B)
Jan. 27 Text pp. 229-40; 245-73, Title VII
Secs. 701(j), 707(a,c)
Week IV Proving Unlawful Discrimination: Systemic
Disparate Treatment (cont.); Affirmative
Defense to Disparate Treatment: Bona Fide Occupational
Qualification
Assignments:
Feb. 1 Text, pp. 278-98, Title VII, Secs. 703(e), ADEA Sec. 4(f)(1)
Feb. 3 Text, pp. 317-50
Week V Proving Unlawful Discrimination: Disparate
Impact
Assignment:
Feb. 8 Text, pp. 405-23, Title VII Secs. 703(k), 701(m)
Feb. 10 Text, pp. 423-45
Week VI Proving Unlawful Discrimination:
Disparate Impact
Assignment:
Feb. 15 Text, pp. 445-66
Feb. 17 Text, pp. 487-509
Week VII Interrelationship of Disparate
Treatment & Disparate Impact
Assignment:
Feb. 22 & 24 Text, pp. 551-80
Materials on pp. 35-89
The second part of the Syllabus will be distributed
before Spring Break.