This course will focus on the importance of rule of law to U.S. engagement with a partner nation. Students will learn how the U.S. assists foreign countries and how the U.S. balances its priorities with a host country’s needs and interests. We will examine what types of justice assistance the U.S. provides, which agencies and departments within the U.S. Government are responsible for assistance, and who our foreign counterparts are. We will also discuss the roles and agendas of other actors who build justice institutions in transitioning countries, such as national governments and multi-lateral organizations. Students will learn how to plan rule of law development and how to formulate a strategy of engagement with a recipient country. Students will be challenged to think about all elements (political, military, financial, social, and environmental) that factor into U.S. engagement with a foreign country and will be asked to account for these when designing a program of justice sector assistance. By placing rule of law development within the context of broader U.S. national security goals and interests, students will begin to understand how rule of law fits into overall U.S. foreign policy. At the end of the course, students will be well- positioned to begin the process of embarking on a career of international rule of law development and justice capacity building.

Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 3
Grading Option: Letter Grade Only
Graduation Writing Requirement: No
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: Yes, With Instructor's Approval
Skills Requirement: No
Simulation Course: No
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: Yes
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Limited Enrollment Number: 17
Final Exam Given: No
Paper Or In-Class Presentation: Yes
Participation Points: Class participation and attendance will account for 10% of a student’s grade.
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies

* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.