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December 2006
A new course that offers an interdisciplinary look at hate violence in the United States will be offered this spring at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn campus. Hate Violence in the Contemporary United States (LOS 399) begins with a brief examination of some of the historical roots of contemporary hate violence in the United States and then focuses on major issues presented by hate violence from the mid-1980's to the present. It is being offered through the Leadership and Organizational Studies program.
The course is being taught by Stephen L. Wessler, Research Associate Professor and Executive Director at the Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence. Wessler, an attorney, developed and directed the civil rights enforcement effort for the Maine Department of the Attorney General from 1992 to 1999. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Boston University School of Law and has practiced law, both in the Maine Attorney General’s office and in private practice, for over 22 years before creating the Center in 1999.
Wessler notes that the course will examine the causes and impacts of hate violence and the legal and policy implications of how hate crimes have been addressed within the United States. “This course, unfortunately, does not focus on every ethnic, religious, racial, sexual or other group which has been targeted with significant hate violence in the United States. These omissions do not in any way diminish the importance of a particular group’s experience with prejudice, hate and violence”, explains Wessler.
The class will meet Wednesdays, 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. The course begins January 17. If interested, please call 753-6500 for advising or registration assistance. A complete spring course listing is available online at www.usm.maine.edu/lac/schedules
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