Citizenship Law and Policy

3 Credit Hours

This seminar offers an overview of conceptions of citizenship in American law from the 19th century to the present day. It considers citizenship acquired at birth, either based on birth within a territory or based on descent; citizenship acquired after birth through a process of naturalization; as well as the circumstances under which the government can strip an individual of citizenship after acquisition, processes known as denaturalization and expatriation. This course will further introduce you to comparative and international perspectives to enrich the study of U.S. citizenship law. Assigned readings will include U.S. Supreme Court cases, statutory provisions, as well articles and book chapters.