Priority office hours
For students in this seminar
- Tuesday · in person
- 11 a.m.–noon · Room 341N or 340N, depending on construction noise
- Wednesday · Zoom
- 8–9 p.m. · Join Priority Office Hours
Paper deadlines
Explore paper topics →Topic Statement
Tue, September 8 · 5 p.m.
First Draft
Mon, October 26
Second Draft
Mon, November 23
Final Draft
Mon, December 7
Office hours
In person or on ZoomSecondary office hours
Also available each week
- Tuesday · in person
- 10–11 a.m. · Room 341N or 340N, depending on construction noise
- Wednesday · Zoom
- 7–8 p.m. · Join Secondary Office Hours
Students from Professor Chandler's other course receive priority during Secondary Office Hours if schedules conflict.
Need another time? Email Professor Chandler to request an alternative in-person or virtual meeting.
New for 2026
26 starting points—and room for your own
The topic guide offers suggestions, not a prescribed list. Students are encouraged to develop their own ideas and negotiate a final topic and thesis with Professor Chandler.
About this seminar
This writing seminar empowers students to explore topics in constitutional law and hone modern academic writing skills—including how intelligent use of large language models can improve research and writing. Students present initial topics, give a midstream account of their findings and thesis, and make a final defense. Qualifying papers will be compiled into a published anthology (last year's volume).
Required AI access: either a paid Claude subscription (about $20/month) or a paid ChatGPT subscription (about $20/month). Students who choose Claude should also have at least ChatGPT Go ($8/month), which I recommend. Students must also obtain free Gemini Advanced and the free book GenAI in Legal Education: A Practical Guide for Professors and Students.
Grading
Topic selection & presentation
5%
Midstream presentation
5%
Final presentation
10%
E-Packet creation
20%
First draft
20%
Second draft
30%
Final draft
10%
Grades may be raised or lowered one unit for class participation. Grading is not anonymous. Assignment submission and grades live in Canvas.