Judicial Opinion Writing Section Menu Academics -Degree Programs --J.D. Program --LL.M. Program ---Curriculum ---Academic Calendar ---About UNC ---UNC Resources & Centers ---Community Resources ---FAQs --Dual Degree Programs -Courses & Advising --First-Year Courses --Core Courses --Upper-Level Courses --LL.M. Courses -Academic Calendars -Summer Session -Clinical Program --Civil Legal Assistance Clinic ---About ---Highlights ---Resources ---FAQs --Community Development Law Clinic ---About ---Highlights ---Resources ---FAQs --Consumer Financial Transactions Clinic ---About --Domestic Violence Representation Project ---About --Immigration/Human Rights Policy Clinic ---About ---Highlights ---Resources ---FAQs --Juvenile Justice Clinic ---About ---Highlights ---Resources ---FAQs --Faculty & Staff --Testimonials -Externship Program --Testimonials --Current Sites -International Programs --Summer Study Abroad Programs --UNC Exchange & Study Abroad Programs ---Augsburg ---Lyon ---Nijmegen ---Iberoamericana ---Manchester ---Glasgow --International Work & Funding Opportunities --Middle Temple Program --Research Scholars Program ---How to Apply ---Current & Previous Visiting Scholars --Incoming Exchange Students ---UNC Information & Policies ---Transportation ---Health Insurance & Immunization -Certificate Programs -Academic Policies --ABA Rules --Academic Success Program --Disability --Enrollment --Evaluation & Grading ---Class Attendance ---Multiple Uses of Written Product ---Recording and Distribution of Classes --Examinations --Graduation --Inclement Weather --Journals --Leaving the School --Non-Discrimination --Plagiarism -The Writing and Learning Resources Center (WLRC) --Research, Reasoning, Writing, and Advocacy (RRWA) --Academic Success Programs --Lending Library --Job Opportunities for Law Students --One-Day Workshop of the Legal Writing Institute Course Number: Law 479 Hours: 3 Course Type: Upper-Level Writing Requirement: Rigorous Writing Experience (RWE) Skills Requirement?: Yes Final Exam?: No Description: The course is effectively an advanced course in constitutional law and enables students to engage in substantial writing and research and to gain useful experience in collegial decision-making. The course requires students to operate in groups of five, each of which will function as a mock Supreme Court. After introducing students to materials on how courts function and stare decisis, each student Court will choose to decide cases in one of two areas – the first amendment or equal protection/due process. Students courts will decide and write opinions in 3 cases (from the respective areas they have chosen) every two weeks. The instructor will meet with each Court periodically to discuss its progress and answer any questions they have. All courts will meet together at the beginning of the semester to learn the basic guidelines for the class and at the end when they discuss the lessons they learned from their respective experiences. Instructor(s): M. Gerhardt Semester(s): Fall Academics Degree ProgramsCourses & AdvisingFirst-Year CoursesCore CoursesUpper-Level CoursesLL.M. CoursesAcademic CalendarsSummer SessionClinical ProgramExternship ProgramInternational ProgramsCertificate ProgramsAcademic PoliciesThe Writing and Learning Resources Center (WLRC) Go to Top of Page