POLI 212 - Law, Lawyers, and Litigation

This course takes an interdisciplinary look at the judicial process, focusing on the role of litigation as a political force. Does litigation enhance a democratic system by providing another route for political participation? We examine two general phenomena that emerged prominently in the 20th century: first, cause lawyering for rights, from the NAACP to contemporary movements such as gay rights; second, the use of class action lawsuits and tort law to shape public policy. Related issues include the legal profession in America, legal education, law firms, legal ethics, access to justice, and the impact of litigation in society. Alternate years. (4 Credits)