7349. Research for Social Justice

For many of the same reasons that the law is slow and difficult to change, the systems and strategies underlying legal research are similarly limited, and often exacerbate the problem. This research course is designed for students interested in social justice issues and will enable students to critically assess how their own research practices may be limiting their ability to effectively advocate for change. Topics covered include criticisms of standard legal research strategies and technologies as well as alternative and critical legal research practices. Students will be evaluated based on short assignments and a final annotated bibliography and research log. For an additional credit, students may write a paper based on their research. This is a supplement to courses such as Advanced Legal Research and Practice Ready Research; although some background knowledge of legal research resources and strategies is necessary, and advanced knowledge will be helpful, no courses beyond the 1L curriculum are required.