Voting Rights Seminar
Certificate(s): Public Interest and Social Justice Law Certificate (List C)
Course Description:
Examines legal regulation of the political process, with an emphasis on constitutional law and federal legislation. The course covers a range of topics related to political participation, representation, and democratic structures, including the right to vote; reapportionment and redistricting; the protection of racial, language, and political minorities; political parties; campaign financing; direct democracy; and alternative electoral systems.
Certificate(s): Public Interest and Social Justice Law Certificate (List C).
Class Notes:
This course will survey the law governing American elections as well as the social justice of voting rights. We will cover the factual and legal history of the electoral college, voting rights, representation and districting, partisan and racial gerrymandering, minority representation, election administration, and campaign finance laws. We will learn about the legal systems involved in the administration of our campaigns, elections, and voting rights. This seminar requires your participation in the legal analysis of current events and challenges to the Voting Rights Act. Together we will examine the principles that have shaped the legal framework for elections and apply social justice principles to modern-day outcomes. Attendance during the first class is mandatory. Students who do not attend will be dropped.
