Justice Thomas University Texas: To Lead Undergraduate Seminar

• U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas will lead a one-credit-hour undergraduate seminar at the University of Texas at Austin in February 2027.
• The seminar, titled "CIV 166 Equality and the New Birth of Freedom," will focus on race, equality, and political thought.
• Only 17 students were selected for the course from 65 applicants, featuring two hours of daily lectures from February 1st to February 5th.
• The curriculum includes works by Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., and Malcolm X, and examines recent Supreme Court decisions on race and equality.
• Justice Thomas previously visited UT Austin in April 2026, discussing the Supreme Court's past failures and the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling.

His involvement in this seminar offers students an unparalleled chance to learn directly from a justice who has shaped, and continues to shape, American legal thought on issues of profound national importance.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is set to lead an undergraduate seminar at the University of Texas at Austin, focusing on critical themes of race, equality, and political thought. This unique academic offering, titled "CIV 166 Equality and the New Birth of Freedom," is scheduled to take place in February, specifically from February 1st to February 5th, 2027. The intensive one-credit-hour course will feature two hours of daily lectures delivered by Justice Thomas himself.

The seminar has garnered significant interest among the student body at the University of Texas at Austin. Out of a total of 65 applicants, only 17 students were selected to participate in this exclusive educational opportunity. This high demand underscores the unique nature of having a sitting Supreme Court Justice directly engage with undergraduates in a classroom setting.

The curriculum for "Equality and the New Birth of Freedom" is designed to provide a comprehensive exploration of American political thought, tracing its evolution from the nation's founding through the Civil War and extending to contemporary issues. Students enrolled in the seminar will delve into foundational texts and speeches from influential figures in American history.

Key readings for the course include works by prominent thinkers such as Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, and W.E.B. Du Bois. The seminar will also incorporate the perspectives of pivotal civil rights leaders, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, offering a broad spectrum of viewpoints on race and equality. A significant component of the course involves analyzing how questions of race and equality have manifested in recent decisions handed down by the Supreme Court, providing students with a direct link between historical thought and modern jurisprudence. Additionally, participants will have the opportunity to meet with Justin Dyer, who serves as the dean of the University of Texas at Austin's School of Civic Leadership, further enriching their academic experience.

This upcoming seminar marks a continued engagement between Justice Thomas and the University of Texas at Austin. He previously visited the campus in April 2026, where he addressed both students and legal professionals. During that earlier visit, Justice Thomas articulated his perspective that the Supreme Court's past failures were not due to a lack of understanding, but rather a deficiency in courage.

In his remarks during the April 2026 event, Justice Thomas specifically referenced Plessy v. Ferguson, the landmark 1896 ruling that upheld government-enforced racial segregation, as an example supporting his argument. Justice Thomas, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1991, holds the distinction of being its longest-serving current member, bringing decades of judicial experience and a unique historical perspective to his academic interactions. His involvement in this seminar offers students an unparalleled chance to learn directly from a justice who has shaped, and continues to shape, American legal thought on issues of profound national importance.

This story reports on an academic seminar taught by a Supreme Court Justice and does not present a direct actionable legal or compliance implication for practitioners.

Source: Original reporting via Law.com