Rules and Deadlines for Seminar Paper
Format: 12 point font (Times Roman), one-inch margins (on top, bottom, left and right), double-spaced text, single-spaced footnotes. (Please use footnotes, not end notes.) Follow Blue Book for citations with text and in footnotes. There is no minimum number of footnotes or citations.
Length:
First draft: 15 page minimum, 20 page maximum
Final paper: 25 page minimum, 30 page maximum
(Minimum and maximum page lengths will be adjusted if a student is approved by the instructor to take the course for 3 credits.)
Note that the first draft should be of the same finished quality as would be expected of the final paper, e.g. the quality of an appellate brief or law review note. The first draft should stand on its own as a potentially publishable piece; citations should be complete and correct. The grade on either the first or final draft may be reduced SHARPLY for persistent spelling errors, typographical errors, or other evidence of sloppiness. The first draft will be posted on the course web site to be reviewed by your fellow students and discussed in class.
Topic: The topic must compare the legal systems of at least two countries. One of those countries must be India. The comparison must relate to constitutional law, broadly defined to include the constitutional role of courts within the legal system of a country as well as substantive principles based on interpreting the text of a constitution. The first draft must include at least preliminary description and analysis of relevant law from the countries being compared. The final draft will probably include additional cases, law review articles and other relevant authorities as the result of additional research as well as revised analysis based on comments received from the instructor and in class discussion.
8/29 Submit paper proposal by email
9/8 Preliminary bibliography for paper due (email)
9/15 Abstract and revised bibliography for paper due (email)
9/16 Secure approval of paper proposal
10/10 First draft due by noon (as a text file attachment to email)
11/26 Final paper due by noon in my mailbox on 4th floor with second copy sent by email.
Absent good cause for lateness, grades on first and final draft will be reduced by 2 points for every business day (Monday - Friday) measured from noon. (For example a final paper turned in at 11:55am on December 1 will have the grade reduced by 2 points; the same paper turned in at 12:01pm on December 1 will be reduced by 4 points.) If final paper is not submitted by noon on 12/8 a failing grade will be entered for the course.
Grading: 10% class participation, 40% first draft, 50% final paper. You are encouraged to send me an explanatory email if you are late, absent or inadequately prepared for a class.