Prerequisites: None

Exam Type: No Exam

COVID-19 has given rise to an unprecedented and rapidly evolving set of urgent legal issues. This reading group will explore both foundational and current materials on a selection of especially pressing issues in American pandemic law and policy. Each week we will focus on a different substantive topic; readings will include a mixture of pre-COVID-19 materials and materials on current events of the moment. Cross-cutting themes will include weighing the tradeoffs between efficacy in pandemic suppression and other values; individual vs. collective rights; and equity and justice issues. Half of the last session will be set aside to discuss options for reform and what legal changes could improve the response to COVID-19 and prevent similar catastrophes should future pandemics arise.

The reading group will meet for six two-hour sessions, and participation will be graded credit/fail.

Note: This reading group will meet on the following dates: 2/4, 2/18, 3/4, 3/25, 4/8, and 4/22.