/ Catalogs/Civil Rights Litigation

Civil Rights Litigation

Typically offered every other year

Civil Rights Litigation - Professor John Parry

Course Number: LAW-317
Course Type: Foundational
Credits: 3
Enrollment Limit: Determined by the Registrar
Description: The primary focus of the course is 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which creates a cause of action against state actors who cause injuries through violations of “the Constitution and laws.” We will also discuss the Ex parte Young and Bivens doctrines, which are judge-made civil rights causes of action that also apply to federal actors. Along the way, we will discuss substantive claims, immunity defenses, remedies, and the relationship between § 1983 and criminal justice (including habeas corpus).

The class addresses litigation as well as doctrine, and we will work through several fact patterns that require us to apply the doctrines that we are studying.

Prerequisite: none
Evaluation Method: The grade will be based on two drafting exercises (a complaint and a motion to dismiss the complaint) as well as a final examination.
Capstone: no
WIE: no

The American Bar Association accreditation standards require students to regularly attend the courses in which they are registered. Lewis & Clark expects students to attend classes regularly and to prepare for classes conscientiously. Specific attendance requirements may vary from course to course. Any attendance guidelines for a given class must be provided to students in a syllabus or other written document at the start of the semester. Sanctions (e.g., required withdrawal from the course, grade adjustment, and/or a failing grade) will be imposed for poor attendance.