By Christian Berry
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD — Have you ever speculated which American civil liberties have been affected during wartime? What about life for the average American during different periods of war? Look no further, Camden County College will be offering a mini-course which will focus on the history of American civil liberties during wartime. Justice at War: A History of American Civil Liberties During Wartime is a five-week course that will begin on Nov. 14 and end on Dec. 19.
‘Justice at War: A History of American Civil Liberties During Wartime’ is a five-week course that will begin on Nov. 14 and end on Dec. 19. Photo illustration by Christian Berry, CCC Journalism Program
The mini-course will delve into an assortment of topics regarding the history of the United States federal government trampling upon its citizens’ civil liberties during wartime, and whether or not the interest of national security was the true justification to carry out those acts. The first mini-course meeting will cover civil liberties from the Federalist Period to Lincoln. Other topics will include “Lincoln and the Civil War,” “World Wars I and II,” “Korea and Vietnam,” and “the Age of Terrorism,” all of which are in order of their respective weeks. The mini-course will also cover specific subject matters such as the Alien and Sedition Act, Lincoln’s suspension of habeas corpus, the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, and much more.
In this day and age when information is readily available, many individuals may discover various histories regarding American civil liberties that may not have been thoroughly covered in mainstream educational institutes. Justice at War will provide an atmosphere for discussion of such topics. “After hearing about the recent Edward Snowden exposé regarding the mass surveillance carried out by the National Security Agency, I’ve been eager to learn more about the history of American civil liberty violations,” states CCC student Aristotle Zografos, who says he’s interested in the Justice at War mini-course.
The Justice at War mini-course will meet from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Thursdays from Nov. 14 to Dec. 19, except Nov. 28, in Madison Hall, Room 210 on the Blackwood campus of Camden County College. A $25 fee is required upon registration for the class. However, you may pay $50 if you wish to become a member of the CCC mini-course program, which grants unlimited access to all mini-courses offered at CCC. To register for the Justice at War mini-course or to become a member of the mini-course program, download a pdf of the registration form to mail in or contact Barbara Palmer at bpalmer@camdencc.edu or 856-227-7200, ext. 4333. For more information about registration and the schedule for the Justice at War course, visit http://www.camdencc.edu/civiccenter/Mini-Courses.cfm.