Civil Rights Litigation

Civil Rights Litigation - Professor John Parry

• Course Number: LAW-317
• Course Type: Foundational
• Credits: 3
• Enrollment Limit: Determined by the Registrar
• Description:   This course focuses on a federal statute, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, which creates a civil cause of action against state actors who violate “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 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. You will also have the opportunity to draft a complaint and a motion to dismiss.

• 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