Seminar - Civil Liberties: Legislation

This seminar will allow students to work on a live legal issue and gain clinic-like experience working with a civil liberties issue which is being addressed by the Georgia General Assembly. The faculty member teaching this course will work with the Legal Director of the ACLU of Georgia to identify legal issues appropriate for students to work on. Students will follow bills which have been introduced into the House and Senate, will attend committee hearings and floor debates, and may meet with legislators. Students will be required to engage in lobbying, factual investigation, assist ACLU’s legislative counsel with legal research, drafting of legislation, and other lobbying activities. A research paper critiquing proposed legislation and current law is required and will form the basis of the student’s grade. Students will also draft a fact sheet for the public and legislators, committee hearing testimony, a legislative report card and weekly summaries of bill activities. In addition to the two-hour a week class room component, students will be required to spend time at the Capitol Building, which can be reached by public transportation. The seminar component will include guest speakers from the ACLU and the General Assembly. This course is restricted to 16 students. Upper level standing is required. Satisfies the upper level writing requirement.

Course Number: E-241

Credits: 2