HLS 2774: Systemic Advocacy for Safe and Supportive Schools

In this seminar students will learn the theory and practice the skills that will enable them to become effective movement lawyers for secondary school students. A key feature of the course and clinic will be working directly with secondary school students in Massachusetts who are advocating to improve their public school system. In addition to becoming acquainted with the theory and practice of movement lawyering generally, students in the seminar will also seek to adapt these theories to the particular context of working with young people, taking into account the unique developmental and ethical considerations this entails. The readings and activities in this seminar are designed to support and encourage reflection on the lawyering skills that students will develop and practice in their clinical work, which may include collaborating with youth leaders to: identify and research a problem, propose solutions and approaches, develop and draft a desired legal remedy, map power relationships between stakeholders in the education establishment, assess the political and legal landscape surrounding a desired remedy, build a vibrant and effective coalition, engage in oral presentations and negotiations, and analyze ethical issues that arise in legal advocacy. The goal is for students to learn the unique role lawyers can play to support a movement for youth voice in educational decision making.