Civil Rights Litigation

Catalog description

This course focuses on section 1983 of the United States Code, a Reconstruction-era statute that enables private parties to sue any other person who 'under color' of law deprives them of the 'rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws' of the United States. Class participants will become familiar with the theoretical, procedural, and practical aspects of civil rights litigation, including constitutional and statutory claims, defenses and immunities, and available remedies, including attorney fees. Related U.S. Code provisions concerning discrimination in housing, contractual relations, employment, and voting are examined where relevant. Exam-based evaluation.