Poverty and the Law

We will explore interdisciplinary materials and have a critical dialogue regarding wealth and income inequities. While some standard legal studies concepts (case law, statutes and legal theory) will be imperative to this course, those working with clients suffering the effects of poverty must have a broader understanding of the system that perpetuates poverty. During the first half of the course, we will primarily discuss discrimination based on race, gender, ability, and national origin. During the second half of the course, we will consider how government enforces or enjoins poverty and how attorneys are engaged in resisting or reinforcing poverty.

Students will be graded based on class participation, a group presentation, and an open-book exam (with an option to write a paper instead upon professor’s approval).