- I've taught two courses, Election Law and Supreme Court Decision Making. Both classes have included significant units on international and comparative law, so I have learned a lot about how other countries run their elections and high courts.
- The law program has also had various "field trips" to legal institutions around town. We have visited the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, the U.K. Electoral Commission, Westminster and the Houses of Parliament, the Old Bailey, and the Inns of Court, to name just a few.
The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
Caitlyn trying on a barrister's wig
These experiences have truly expanded my view of the world, as I have seen how the U.K., as well as other countries, run their legal systems. This has certainly impacted my teaching. Speaking of teaching, I have had a wonderful group of students, and it has been great to share this journey with them. I have learned a lot.
Even when traveling I have seen some amazing artifacts relating to my research. As one example, below is a Greek ballot from around 400 B.C.! The citizens of the Athenian Ancient Agora would vote to ostracize someone from the community. Fascinating!
On the professional front, this semester I was awarded tenure, published my new Election Law case book (and completed my portion of the accompanying teacher's manual), and placed a new article with the Washington University Law Review. I also was awarded a contract from the Proteus Fund to conduct research this summer on the impact of state courts on voting rights. So, although we've had a blast traveling the world, I'd say it's been pretty successful professionally as well!
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