Teaching Williams v. Walker-Thomas Furniture Co.

18 Pages Posted: 27 Jul 2011

See all articles by Muriel Morisey

Muriel Morisey

Temple University - James E. Beasley School of Law

Date Written: 1993

Abstract

Many legal educators across the country seek to bring into our courses more of the perspectives and experiences of white women, men and women of color, people with disabilities, of diverse sexual orientations, or of diverse economic classes. These efforts respond to our duty to educate students for the world beyond law school. Such efforts also send an important inclusive message to law students and the legal profession about whom the law does and should serve. But these efforts may perpetuate assumptions and stereotypes about the people whose perspectives we seek to incorporate.

Williams v. Walker-Thomas Furniture Co. appears in most contracts casebooks currently available from the major law casebook publishers. The particular stereotypes implicated in Williams are associated primarily with African-American women: that they are disproportionately on welfare, irresponsible with money and likely to raise large families as single parents. The concerns could apply equally, however, to stereotypes of any group. The essay is premised on the belief that stereotypes, even if arguably complimentary, are inherently troubling, for they give legitimacy to the prejudging of people which can, in turn, lead to bias and invidious discrimination.

In addition to its utility for teaching about the doctrine of unconscionability, Williams can facilitate exploration of issues of race, gender and class. The essay presents two versions of the facts in the case – the actual facts and a fictionalized account. It provides discussion questions for classroom use.

Keywords: unconscionability, contracts, teaching contracts, stereotypes, Williams v. Walker-Thomas

JEL Classification: K12, K40, K49

Suggested Citation

Morisey, Muriel, Teaching Williams v. Walker-Thomas Furniture Co. (1993). Temple Political & Civil Rights Law Review, Vol. 3, p. 89, 1993, Temple University Legal Studies Research Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1895555

Muriel Morisey (Contact Author)

Temple University - James E. Beasley School of Law ( email )

1719 N. Broad Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
United States
215-204-3220 (Phone)
215-204-1185 (Fax)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
424
Abstract Views
2,458
Rank
126,497
PlumX Metrics