COURSE OFFERINGS
Political Theory
The Western Canon Ancient Political Thought Modern Political Thought Contemporary Political Thought Democratic Theory The American Canon American Political Thought From Jefferson to Malcolm X: Revolutionary Political Thought Other Specializations Secularism, Democracy, Violence Religion, Race, and Ethnicity Liberalism and its Discontents Culture, Ideology, and Politics Theories of Justice Feminist Theory Neoliberalism Conceptualizing Democracy |
Law & Jurisprudence
American Public Law Introduction to American Politics Law and American Society American Legal and Constitutional History Capital Punishment Legal Institutions Law & Society Law, Religion, and Culture Copyrighting Culture The First Amendment: From Faith to Free Speech The Laws of Citizenship and the Politics of Multiculturalism Feminist Jurisprudence Colorblindness and the Regulation of Diversity Civil Disobedience Labor and Religion in American Legal History The Making of Modern Constitutionalism Property & Liberty Law and the Colonization of America |
TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
My goal in teaching is to cultivate in my students a robust intellectual engagement with ideas in the classroom and, ultimately, a robust civic engagement in democratic life. I encourage my students to make connections between abstract texts and concrete problems by asking questions like: How does Judith Butler’s critique of gender normativity illuminate the Supreme Court’s difficulty in articulating same-sex sexual harassment in Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services? Why might proponents of strict labor market regulations – like those at issue in Lochner v. New York – object to Robert Nozick’s possessive libertarianism? Where might John Stuart Mill place the limits of the law’s interference in polygamist communities, such as those described in Reynolds v. United States? In directing my students’ attention towards the practical intersections of theory, law, and policy, I aim to bolster my students’ capacity for textual interpretation, strengthen their ability to craft nuanced written and oral arguments, and teach them to engage empathetically with the opinions and experiences of others. Indeed, by honing these skills, my students acquire the analytic and critical tools that not only enable them to become better political scientists, but also help them to navigate, interpret, and shape the world they inhabit.
COURSES TAUGHT TO DATE
Law, Religion, and Culture - University of California, Berkeley
Instructor of Record: Fall 2015, Fall 2017
This course examines historical and contemporary examples of the law’s regulation of religion in order to think critically about the values of freedom, liberty, and equality in democratic societies. We will bring a range of classic texts on religion (such as John Locke’s A Letter Concerning Toleration, John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty, and Karl Marx’s On the Jewish Question) to bear on watershed legal cases (on such issues as polygamy, religious dress in the workplace, the consumption of spiritual hallucinogens, and faith-based objections to reproductive healthcare). In doing so, we will also examine how the democratic tensions illuminated by the intersection of the aforementioned texts are made manifest in modern culture by interpreting street art, ethnographic accounts of spiritually-driven lives, and popular media. Some of the questions we will explore include: What “counts” as religion in the eyes of the law? How has the relationship between religion and the law been historically understood in the democratic liberal state, and how do these historical understandings account for (or refute the possibility of) religious differences? How might contemporary socio-cultural developments – like the recent refusal of some Southern Baptists to serve same-sex couples – help us to uncover what assumptions the law makes about the “proper” practice of religion? Can religious freedom and individual, secularized liberty ever truly coexist within a democratic state? Fundamentally, this course critically attends to how the law has served to shape both religious practices and normative values. As a result, students will emerge from this course with a nuanced understanding of how law, religion, and culture are not separate entities, but rather generative of one another.
Democracy, Disobedience, and Resistance - University of California, Berkeley
Instructor of Record: Fall 2017
This seminar takes its inspiration from the rich histories of protest and free speech in the San Francisco Bay Area. Over the course of the semester, we will consider such questions as: Do we – as citizens and residents of the United States – have an obligation to obey the laws enacted by our government? If democracy is understood to be government “by and for the people,” what do we owe to the state and our peers? Are we morally obligated to obey laws that we consider to be unjust? And, if the laws are indeed deemed unjust, what kinds of social protest, disobedience, and resistance are justified? To answer these questions, this course will engage with a range of classic and contemporary texts from philosophers, legal actors, and practitioners of disobedience on such themes as obligation, justice, non-violent versus violent action, coercion, responsibility, authority, and liberty. After considering foundational philosophical texts from thinkers like Plato, John Locke, and John Stuart Mill, we will devote significant time to analyzing tangible moments of democratically-oriented disobedience and resistance, including: the American Revolution (which will feature the popular musical Hamilton, the Federalist Papers, and the 19th century writings of Henry David Thoreau); the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s (which will draw from the speeches and writings of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Berkeley’s own Mario Savio); the Feminist Movement (which will incorporate writings from historical figures like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony as well as contemporary political and legal theorists like Catharine MacKinnon and Judith Butler); and the present (which will examine the Supreme Court’s decisions on hate speech, the rise of Black Lives Matter Movement, and popular responses to Donald Trump’s Executive Orders). Each of these moments will serve as “test cases” for thinking about expanding, altering, or otherwise rehabilitating the political and legal conditions of participatory and representative democracy. Where and when appropriate, students can expect to observe or analyze the coverage of protests occurring in San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley. This seminar is part of the On the Same Page program, recognizing the diverse and unique voices that contribute to the shaping of democratic life. For more, see: http://onthesamepage.berkeley.edu.
Legal Studies Honors Seminar - University of California, Berkeley
Co-Instructor of Record: Fall 2016, Spring 2017
Rhetorical Interpretation: The Logo - University of California, Berkeley
Teaching Assistant: Spring 2016
Citizenship and Immigration - University of California, Berkeley
Teaching Assistant: Summer 2014, Spring 2103
Feminist Jurisprudence - University of California, Berkeley
Teaching Assistant: Spring 2014, Summer 2013, Summer 2012, Fall 2011, Summer 2010
20th Century American Constitutional and Legal History - University of California, Berkeley
Teaching Assistant: Fall 2013
Theories of Justice - University of California, Berkeley
Teaching Assistant: Fall 2012, Spring 2011, Spring 2010, Fall 2009
Instructor of Record: Fall 2015, Fall 2017
This course examines historical and contemporary examples of the law’s regulation of religion in order to think critically about the values of freedom, liberty, and equality in democratic societies. We will bring a range of classic texts on religion (such as John Locke’s A Letter Concerning Toleration, John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty, and Karl Marx’s On the Jewish Question) to bear on watershed legal cases (on such issues as polygamy, religious dress in the workplace, the consumption of spiritual hallucinogens, and faith-based objections to reproductive healthcare). In doing so, we will also examine how the democratic tensions illuminated by the intersection of the aforementioned texts are made manifest in modern culture by interpreting street art, ethnographic accounts of spiritually-driven lives, and popular media. Some of the questions we will explore include: What “counts” as religion in the eyes of the law? How has the relationship between religion and the law been historically understood in the democratic liberal state, and how do these historical understandings account for (or refute the possibility of) religious differences? How might contemporary socio-cultural developments – like the recent refusal of some Southern Baptists to serve same-sex couples – help us to uncover what assumptions the law makes about the “proper” practice of religion? Can religious freedom and individual, secularized liberty ever truly coexist within a democratic state? Fundamentally, this course critically attends to how the law has served to shape both religious practices and normative values. As a result, students will emerge from this course with a nuanced understanding of how law, religion, and culture are not separate entities, but rather generative of one another.
Democracy, Disobedience, and Resistance - University of California, Berkeley
Instructor of Record: Fall 2017
This seminar takes its inspiration from the rich histories of protest and free speech in the San Francisco Bay Area. Over the course of the semester, we will consider such questions as: Do we – as citizens and residents of the United States – have an obligation to obey the laws enacted by our government? If democracy is understood to be government “by and for the people,” what do we owe to the state and our peers? Are we morally obligated to obey laws that we consider to be unjust? And, if the laws are indeed deemed unjust, what kinds of social protest, disobedience, and resistance are justified? To answer these questions, this course will engage with a range of classic and contemporary texts from philosophers, legal actors, and practitioners of disobedience on such themes as obligation, justice, non-violent versus violent action, coercion, responsibility, authority, and liberty. After considering foundational philosophical texts from thinkers like Plato, John Locke, and John Stuart Mill, we will devote significant time to analyzing tangible moments of democratically-oriented disobedience and resistance, including: the American Revolution (which will feature the popular musical Hamilton, the Federalist Papers, and the 19th century writings of Henry David Thoreau); the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s (which will draw from the speeches and writings of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Berkeley’s own Mario Savio); the Feminist Movement (which will incorporate writings from historical figures like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony as well as contemporary political and legal theorists like Catharine MacKinnon and Judith Butler); and the present (which will examine the Supreme Court’s decisions on hate speech, the rise of Black Lives Matter Movement, and popular responses to Donald Trump’s Executive Orders). Each of these moments will serve as “test cases” for thinking about expanding, altering, or otherwise rehabilitating the political and legal conditions of participatory and representative democracy. Where and when appropriate, students can expect to observe or analyze the coverage of protests occurring in San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley. This seminar is part of the On the Same Page program, recognizing the diverse and unique voices that contribute to the shaping of democratic life. For more, see: http://onthesamepage.berkeley.edu.
Legal Studies Honors Seminar - University of California, Berkeley
Co-Instructor of Record: Fall 2016, Spring 2017
Rhetorical Interpretation: The Logo - University of California, Berkeley
Teaching Assistant: Spring 2016
Citizenship and Immigration - University of California, Berkeley
Teaching Assistant: Summer 2014, Spring 2103
Feminist Jurisprudence - University of California, Berkeley
Teaching Assistant: Spring 2014, Summer 2013, Summer 2012, Fall 2011, Summer 2010
20th Century American Constitutional and Legal History - University of California, Berkeley
Teaching Assistant: Fall 2013
Theories of Justice - University of California, Berkeley
Teaching Assistant: Fall 2012, Spring 2011, Spring 2010, Fall 2009
AWARDS, QUALIFICATIONS, & SERVICE
Awards
Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award (2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012)
Qualifications
Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, University of California, Berkeley (2015)
Service
Legal Studies Curriculum Committee, University of California, Berkeley (2015-2016, 2016-2017)
Discipline Cluster Workshop Leader in the Social Sciences, Annual Teaching Conference, University of California, Berkeley (2015-2016)
Teaching Practicum for International Students, Annual Teaching Conference, University of California, Berkeley (2015-2016)
Mellon Course Threads Initiative for the Development of "Law and Humanities" Minor, University of California, Berkeley (2014-2015)
Committee for the Reformation of the Legal Studies Major (2010-2011)
Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award (2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012)
Qualifications
Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, University of California, Berkeley (2015)
Service
Legal Studies Curriculum Committee, University of California, Berkeley (2015-2016, 2016-2017)
Discipline Cluster Workshop Leader in the Social Sciences, Annual Teaching Conference, University of California, Berkeley (2015-2016)
Teaching Practicum for International Students, Annual Teaching Conference, University of California, Berkeley (2015-2016)
Mellon Course Threads Initiative for the Development of "Law and Humanities" Minor, University of California, Berkeley (2014-2015)
Committee for the Reformation of the Legal Studies Major (2010-2011)
SAMPLE SYLLABI
EVIDENCE OF TEACHING EFFECTIVENESS
As Instructor of Record
"Professor Heard is an amazing teacher. I have never in my academic life had a better teacher - she exemplifies both dedication and intelligence in the field. 10/10 would absolutely recommend. Her lectures were extremely understandable, well-structured, and concise. She displayed a holistic and complete knowledge of all the readings, and knew how to nudge her students into a vibrant discussion. Brilliant."
"This course (Religion, Law, and Culture) had so many strengths: it had incredibly interesting material, a well-prepared and compassionate professor, and purposeful assignments. Professor Heard used a great balance of lecture and discussion, combined with interesting and fun in-class activities. One of the few classes I've had where everyone (everyone!) contributed to discussion."
“Law, Religion, and Culture introduced me to legal scholars, philosophers, and public intellectuals that will guide my thinking for years to come. Professor Heard was extraordinarily prepared – she taught us how to write formal research papers, participate in lively policy debates, and construct theory-driven papers. She always made me eager to do more research on my own, particularly with respect to the current cases before the Supreme Court. I never knew they could be so fun to read!”
As Teaching Assistant
"Katie was extremely prepared and presented the material clearly, critically, and effectively. An incredible instructor - she loves what she does and she knows her stuff."
"Discussion was extremely useful and well-facilitated; great balance between questions/comments. This course had one of the most effectively facilitated discussion sections I've had at Cal (and I'm a graduating senior). It's also one of the few courses I've had where all the activities (group work, Socratic method, etc) contributed to my overall understanding of the subject. Fantastic course, fantastic instructor."
"Katie's handouts were invaluable resources for helping me understand the material. Her feedback was extraordinary and, at times, probably outweighed the amount of effort I put into the assignment! Her insightful commentary lead to great academic progress for me (in and out of her class)."
"Katie has been one of the most effective [teaching assistants] I've had in the Legal Studies department. She had a clear mastery of the material and encouraged excellent engagement among the students. She was very well-prepared for each class and brought in loads of examples to make theory real (props, diagrams, and even guest speakers). This class was definitely challenging, but I would highly recommend it to other students at Cal!"
"Very interesting class with a very interesting [teaching assistant]. It was a thought-provoking seminar that had a dynamic engagement with the course materials. Katie was engaged with the texts; she clearly had a very good grasp of everything! She was very responsive to student participation and did a great job leading discussions. Plus, she left great comments on papers, which helped me to work on style and form in all my classes. Everything in this class was so meaningful."
"Katie's class was a bit like going to the gym. You knew it would be difficult and a lot would be expected of you, but afterwards you would feel great and much stronger for having gone. She was very responsive to student needs and was always available after class to discuss ideas further. Very intelligent and her use of the board to illustrate complex theories was very helpful!"
"Professor Heard is an amazing teacher. I have never in my academic life had a better teacher - she exemplifies both dedication and intelligence in the field. 10/10 would absolutely recommend. Her lectures were extremely understandable, well-structured, and concise. She displayed a holistic and complete knowledge of all the readings, and knew how to nudge her students into a vibrant discussion. Brilliant."
"This course (Religion, Law, and Culture) had so many strengths: it had incredibly interesting material, a well-prepared and compassionate professor, and purposeful assignments. Professor Heard used a great balance of lecture and discussion, combined with interesting and fun in-class activities. One of the few classes I've had where everyone (everyone!) contributed to discussion."
“Law, Religion, and Culture introduced me to legal scholars, philosophers, and public intellectuals that will guide my thinking for years to come. Professor Heard was extraordinarily prepared – she taught us how to write formal research papers, participate in lively policy debates, and construct theory-driven papers. She always made me eager to do more research on my own, particularly with respect to the current cases before the Supreme Court. I never knew they could be so fun to read!”
As Teaching Assistant
"Katie was extremely prepared and presented the material clearly, critically, and effectively. An incredible instructor - she loves what she does and she knows her stuff."
"Discussion was extremely useful and well-facilitated; great balance between questions/comments. This course had one of the most effectively facilitated discussion sections I've had at Cal (and I'm a graduating senior). It's also one of the few courses I've had where all the activities (group work, Socratic method, etc) contributed to my overall understanding of the subject. Fantastic course, fantastic instructor."
"Katie's handouts were invaluable resources for helping me understand the material. Her feedback was extraordinary and, at times, probably outweighed the amount of effort I put into the assignment! Her insightful commentary lead to great academic progress for me (in and out of her class)."
"Katie has been one of the most effective [teaching assistants] I've had in the Legal Studies department. She had a clear mastery of the material and encouraged excellent engagement among the students. She was very well-prepared for each class and brought in loads of examples to make theory real (props, diagrams, and even guest speakers). This class was definitely challenging, but I would highly recommend it to other students at Cal!"
"Very interesting class with a very interesting [teaching assistant]. It was a thought-provoking seminar that had a dynamic engagement with the course materials. Katie was engaged with the texts; she clearly had a very good grasp of everything! She was very responsive to student participation and did a great job leading discussions. Plus, she left great comments on papers, which helped me to work on style and form in all my classes. Everything in this class was so meaningful."
"Katie's class was a bit like going to the gym. You knew it would be difficult and a lot would be expected of you, but afterwards you would feel great and much stronger for having gone. She was very responsive to student needs and was always available after class to discuss ideas further. Very intelligent and her use of the board to illustrate complex theories was very helpful!"