This course surveys civil rights law. The students study constitutional litigation brought under Section 1983 to enforce the 4th, 8th and 14th Amendments, specifically exploring prisoners’ rights, police abuse, and substantive Due Process claims. The students also examine other Reconstruction Era civil rights statutes (Sections 1981 and 1982), and modern federal statutes prohibiting discrimination, including Title VI and Title VII. The students address cutting edge civil rights issues, such as affirmative action, sexual harassment, and racial identity. The course explores interpretive and strategic challenges that arise in civil rights litigation.

Upper-level course for:
X. Constitutional Law
XXII. Law and Public Policy