Page 89 - COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

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Mr. Timothy O. Wilkerson,
2 credits day; 2 credits evening.
The upcoming 2012 elections provide a remarkable backdrop to study the rapidly changing
profession and scholarly research of election law. This course will be an overview of the
practical administration of campaigns and elections and the constitutional and statutory
principles governing election law. The class will conduct an in depth examination of municipal,
state and federal election concepts including: how to run campaigns, the right to vote, campaign
finance, redistricting, ballot access, voter identification requirements, challenges to voting right
remedies and the role of political parties. Class readings and discussions will provide a survey of
settled election principles and identify areas of recent change and potential reform. The required
readings will be a combination of state and federal election case law and current event materials.
A number of speakers including local and national practitioners and experts will add a practical
element and immediacy to the class. The course will consider high profile cases from the last
decade to highlight the judiciary‘s significant impact on American elections including: Bush v.
Gore, Citizens United v. FEC, Coleman v. Franken and Black Political Task Force v. Galvin. A
final examination will determine 75 percent of the course grade. The remaining 25 percent will
consist of an in class group presentation. The course readings include a course packet and
supplemental readings to incorporate current campaign and election events.
Elective Course
Final Exam Required
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