S. Public Integrity and Public Corruption

This seminar will draw from three different areas of law -- criminal law, campaign finance law, and the regulation of government ethics -- that address public corruption and seek to promote public integrity. The seminar will consider what we mean when we talk about corruption, the relative effectiveness of the different regulatory regimes in promoting public integrity, and possible improvements in the laws that address public corruption. Topics will include the many contested definitions of corruption; developments in the laws of bribery and theft of honest services; the role of anti-corruption in campaign finance regulation; lobbying; revolving door rules that apply to entering and departing from public service; conflict of interest regulation; and the administration and enforcement of campaign finance and ethics rules.

Student Requirements: Students will be expected to participate in class discussions; prepare four short response papers; and submit one research paper. The research paper will receive minor writing credit, or, with the permission of the instructor, can be the basis of a major writing credit.