PLAW 250 - 001

.This course is designed to assist lawyers and other professionals working with the law in developing the techniques of researching and writing in relation to rule of law development. The primary objective of this course is to enable students to apply research skills, which will be instrumental for conducting in depth studies on rule of law development topics for major papers during the PROLAW Program and for the final capstone project. With a focus on development issues, substantial emphasis is given to socio-legal and empirical legal research methodologies. A secondary objective is that students will acquire writing skills that can be used in various practice settings involving legal and policy analysis, policymaking, and implementation of rule of law development research studies. Students will also gain expertise on how to research and analyze issues from other disciplines that contribute to the processes and dynamics of legal and institutional reform. This knowledge is foundational for developing theories of change and is critical to formulating strategies, plans, and analyses of rule of law advocacy and reform programs.