DEARBORN—Classes
at the University of Detroit-Mercy Law School are about to get a lot of more
interesting. The venerable institution has recently added a new course for the
Spring 2015 semester, entitled, “Arab Americans and the Law.”

Teaching
it will be Amer Zahr; and, while Zahr is often first thought of as a comedian,
Zahr is also a keen observer of cultural and political issues and has also has
earned a Juris Doctor Degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

“We are
thrilled to have Amer join our team of professors who see the law – in addition
to its practical application – as an important tool for advancing social and
cultural insight and understanding,” said Pamela Wilkins, University of Detroit-Mercy Law School Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Law
. 

The
course will explore the journey of Arab-Americans through the American legal
system from the beginnings of Arab immigration to the United States in the 19th century
until the present day. Included will be study of legal cases involving Arab
Americans in the realms of identity, “whiteness,” immigration, terrorism, and
discrimination, among other topics.