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Philadelphia

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  Philadelphia is about employment discrimination. It puts that subject, which can be very "dry" in a textbook, into a very human context. The lead character is an intelligent, attractive, young attorney who just happens to be gay and have AIDS.

  Before watching this movie, it is necessary that the student read the text materials on employment and employment discrimination law. Pay particular attention to what the laws and rules say cannot be used as a reason for terminating someone's employment.

  Write a paper discussing the movie and anti-discrimination law (from textbook). Keep in mind that there is an underlying belief that employees should be free to choose for whom they work – and that employers should be free to choose whom they hire. That is part of the "American ideas" of freedom of contract and individual choice, which is reflected in "employment at will" rules. You are strongly encouraged to discuss any and all part(s) of the movie that you think significant. As suggestions only, your discussion might, for example, comment on:

1. Do the legal remedies provided by anti-discrimination laws adequately compensate the plaintiff for the injuries suffered?

2. Is it likely that the existence of antidiscrimination laws (or knowledge of that existence) has any impact on employers' actions? If "yes," what?

3. For persons/groups traditionally subject to discrimination, which might provide the greatest benefit:

(a) An anti-discrimination law's remedies, or
(b) The political/moral effect of the law's existence?

In all of that, the result should be an objective, logical analysis.