LAW-2431 Comparative Irish American Law
Irish and American law and policy makers are grappling with a host of issues relating to criminal justice, with cases on the front page in both nations. This course will explore several areas of substantive criminal law and criminal justice policy, using a comparative lens to highlight current trends and differences of approach in the United States and Ireland. Topics will include the law governing sexual assault, felony murder, conspiracy; the law governing sentencing; and areas of concern in correctional policy, including the use of solitary confinement and the collateral effects of a criminal conviction. The course will draw on American and Irish case law as well as criminal justice policy source materials, may include visits from guest speakers, and will culminate in a field trip.