[EL] Ideas for the first day of class

[Adam Morse]

I've had success with discussing a recent topical piece of election law
legislation as a way of discussing the interrelationship between law,
policy, and electoral politics.  Most recently, I used a proposed bill to
change how Michigan allocates its electoral college votes.  It gives a
manageable way for the students to engage with what the stakes are, to
consider who the various litigants are, to discuss underlying issues of
democracy, and to begin thinking about the roles that lawyers play in
election law disputes.

On Mon, Jan 4, 2016 at 1:49 PM, Joey Fishkin <joey.fishkin at gmail.com> wrote:

> Happy new year to all.
>
> With the semester starting in a couple of weeks, I’m unsatisfied with the
> first day of my election law syllabus.  I’d thought I’d see if you all had
> some ideas.
>
> I typically do a one-off topic the first day, then start in with the first
> real unit of the syllabus (suffrage restrictions & access to the ballot) on
> day two.  On the first day, I want students to —
> — learn some election law, and play with concepts that will show up again
> in the class
> — be engaged, especially if still shopping the class
> — be able to participate reasonably well in the conversation even if they
> haven’t done the reading (e.g. because still shopping)
>
> Any ideas?  Do you have a way of starting the semester that you love and
> want to share?
>
> Thanks,
> Joey
>
> Joseph Fishkin
> Professor of Law
> University of Texas School of Law
> 727 E. Dean Keeton St.
> Austin, TX 78705
> jfishkin at law.utexas.edu
>
>
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