GOVT 81.30 Election Law

This seminar will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the laws governing American elections and citizen participation in the voting process.

Topics will include, among others, the historical development of – and limits to – the modern “right to vote,” laws affecting political party processes, reapportionment and the “one person, one vote” principle, redistricting/gerrymandering, and the substance and application of laws including the Voting Rights Act and National Voter Registration Act in modern political campaigns. We also will explore the role attorneys across the political spectrum play in ensuring that elections are free and fair.

This course will be useful to any student interested in law and/or politics. It will be taught similar to a law school class, with an emphasis on readings and in-class discussion. Reading materials primarily will consist of court opinions and related case materials to be provided, which students will be expected to analyze and to critique within a respectful class environment.

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:SOC; WCult:W

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.

Department-Specific Course Categories

Government