Law Schedule of Classes

NOTE: Course offerings change. Classes offered this semester may not be offered in future semesters.

283H sec. 001 - Human Rights Clinic Seminar (Fall 2026)

Instructor: Helen Kerwin  (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only)
View all teaching evaluations for this course - degree students only

Units: 2
Grading Designation: Graded
Mode of Instruction: In-Person

Meeting:

W 3:35 PM - 5:25 PM
Location: Law 122
From August 19, 2026
To November 30, 2026

Course Start: August 19, 2026
Course End: November 30, 2026

Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 6
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 13
As of: 08/15 05:49 AM


This seminar functions as the companion course for the Human Rights Clinic. It provides training on substantive human rights norms, exposes students to the various types of human rights work (monitoring, litigation, policy, legislation, research, etc.), encourages students to think critically about the goals and trade-offs of human rights methodologies in the context of strengths and limitations of the human rights movement, offers a structured context in which to reflect on the lawyering process, and provides students with the opportunity through student-led class sessions to present aspects of casework for group feedback and discussion (e.g. ethical problems, presentations, written advocacy, etc.). The clinical seminar is graded on the law school’s regular grading scale. We put a high value on the ability of students to reflect on the law and lawyering, engage in self-reflection, and actively participate in class.

Enrollment in the Clinic (4 units per semester) and accompanying Seminar (2 units) is granted by permission. Due to the intensive nature of clinic projects, students are not permitted to enroll in another clinic or field placement concurrently. For the Fall semester, the application will open on April 1st, and will be due on April 8th. For more information about the application process and to apply, please visit the Clinical Program's website: https://www.law.berkeley.edu/experiential/clinics/apply-to-the-clinics/.

Requirements Satisfaction:

When this Clinic and the Seminar are taken in the same semester, they are counted together as satisfying one of the following requirements:

  • Experiential Requirement OR
  • Writing Requirement - Option 2 OR
  • Professional Responsibility [Samuelson Clinic only]
Together, they may satisfy the Writing Requirement OR the Experiential Requirement OR the Professional Responsibility Requirement, but not more than one. These Requirements cannot be combined.

Students who want the clinic/seminar to satisfy Option 2 of the Writing Requirement must obtain instructor approval and complete a paper or series of written work, with drafts, of 30 or more pages. To receive Option 2 credit, students must submit this form:
https://na3.docusign.net/Member/PowerFormSigning.aspx?PowerFormId=db49abd6-616e-45e4-a912-e932cd3fb15c&env=na3-eu1&acct=ae094ebe-6750-44d8-a517-9886242ff735

Please contact Student Academic Advising and Support Services (SAASS) with any questions.


Exam Notes: (None) Series of papers or assignments throughout the semester
(Subject to change by faculty member only through the first two weeks of instruction)
Course Category: Clinics
This course is listed in the following sub-categories:
International and Comparative Law
Social Justice and Public Interest

Files:

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Class materials may also be available on bCourses.berkeley.edu

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