University of Utah : S.J. Quinney College of Law

Civil Rights Practicum

Tags:access to justice clinic civil rights practicum 

The Civil Rights Practicum
Course and Clinic MAY be repeated for credit, 2^nd or 3^rd year students
Course: 2 credits per semester (Fall & Spring)

This course will involve law students working collaboratively with Professor Chiang and counsel at interested non-profits, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, to address civil rights issues.  Students will conduct factual and legal investigations into potential civil rights violations with a focus on systemic reform via strategies such as impact litigation and public advocacy.  Both the classroom and clinical components of the Practicum must be taken jointly.

Pre- or Co-Requisite: Students must have either completed or be concurrently enrolled in Constitutional Law II.   

Course: Civil Rights Practicum (2 cr./semester, graded, taught Fall & Spring Semesters).  The classroom component of the practicum will focus on the application of theory to practice.  Students will engage with the substantive law of the rights violations being investigated, discuss the strategies available to advocates seeking change, confront legal and ethical issues as they arise in their work, receive training on practical legal skills as needed, and reflect upon their experiences.  Students will be graded on a combination of participation and the completion of assignments for the clinical component.   There will be no final exam.  The course may be repeated for credit.

Placements: (1 – 3 cr./semester, P/F, offered Fall & Spring Semesters).  The clinical component will take place in close cooperation with outside counsel and may include activities such as witness interviews, gathering and analyzing the relevant facts and law, complaint and/or report drafting, and active litigation.  Although the clinical component is P/F, assignments undertaken for the clinical component will factor into grades assigned for the Civil Rights Practicum course.

Faculty: Professor Emily Chiang

Application & Registration: To enroll in the class and clinic, students must complete the Clinical Application and submit the required documents with the application.  Students will then be enrolled in the clinic and the class.

Both the course and accompanying clinical component are repeatable for credit.

LAW 7844-001: Civil Rights Practicum Class                                   Fall – Spring: Wednesdays, 3:15 – 5:15 pm