Adv Legal Writing:Legislative Advocacy
SLN #: 36380Course Prefix: LAW-791
Course Section: 1003
Credit Hours: 3
Instructor(s): McMahon
Course Books: View List of Books
Course Description:
In this class, we will examine the inner workings of Congress and think through strategies for achieving policy goals through legislation. You will choose a bill that has been introduced in Congress and then, through a series of assignments, you will advocate for the passage of the bill. By engaging in this work, you learn not only how to solve complex legal problems in a legislative context, but also to think critically about the role of the legislative branch and of a lawyer within that branch.
The course will take you through the nuts and bolts of the process of lawmaking. You will be asked to think broadly about the role of a lawyer in Congress, the connection (or lack thereof) between legislative history and statutory interpretation, and the relationship between the legislative branch and the other power centers of American government.
But the main focus of this course is on the writing you will do. You will learn how to research and analyze legislation; prepare in-depth documents that think through bill text, policy options, and political consequences; and persuade a legislative audience to adopt your recommendations. You also will be required to present your arguments in oral form, as testimony to a “committee” (made up of myself and your fellow students).
Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 3
Grading Option: Letter Grade Only
Graduation Writing Requirement: No
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: Yes
Skills Requirement: No
Simulation Course: No
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: No
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Limited Enrollment Number: 16
Final Exam Given: No
Paper Or In-Class Presentation: Paper and oral presentation
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies
Teaching Method: In Person
* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.