Question

admission: oklahoma state regents, supra, the court, in requiring that a negro admitted to a white graduate school be treated like all other students, again resorted to intangible considerations—his ability to study, to engage in discussions and exchange views with other students, and, in general, to learn his profession.” such considerations apply with added force to children in grade and high schools. to separate them from others of similar age and qualifications solely because of their race generates a feeling of inferiority as to their status in the community that may affect their hearts and minds in a way unlikely ever to be undone. the effect of this separation on their education opportunities was well stated by a finding in the kansas case by a court which nevertheless felt compelled to rule against the negro plaintiffs. segregation of white and colored children in public schools has a detrimental effect upon the colored children. the impact is greater when it has the sanction of the law, for the policy of separating the races is usually interpreted as denoting the inferiority of the negro group. a sense of inferiority affects the motivation of a child to learn. segregation with the sanction of law, therefore, has a tendency to retard the educational and mental development of negro children and to deprive them of some of the benefits they would receive in a racially integrated school system. whatever may have been the extent of psychological knowledge at the time of plessy v. ferguson, this finding is amply supported by modern authority. any language in plessy v. ferguson, contrary to this finding is rejected.
we conclude that, in the field of public education, the doctrine of “separate but equal” has no place. separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. therefore, we hold that the plaintiffs and others similarly situated for whom the actions have been brought are, by reason of the segregation complained of, deprived of the equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the fourteenth amendment. this disposition makes unnecessary any discussion whether such segregation also violates the due process clause of the fourteenth amendment.
assessment:

1. examine principles: what basic american principles are reflected in the majority opinion in brown v. board of education? how did this ruling help lead to the expansion of civil rights and liberties in the us?
2. analyze structure: how do the various portions of this document contribute to the final claim that “separate educational facilities are inherently unequal”?
3. evaluate evidence: in a brief submitted to the court, kenneth b. clark and other psychologists described some of their findings related to segregation in education: “the report indicates that minority group children of all social and economic classes often react with a generally defeatist attitude and a lowering of personal ambitions.” does this statement corroborate or challenge the assertions made by chief justice warren in his majority opinion? evaluate the validity of the claims made by warren based on this additional information.

Explanation:

The problem is about analyzing the Brown v. Board of Education case, which relates to law (a subfield of Social Science) as it involves legal principles, court rulings, and constitutional amendments (Fourteenth Amendment). The questions ask about legal principles, the structure of the legal argument, and evaluating evidence in a legal context.

Answer:

The subfield is Law (under Social Science).