The Misleading Claims About Barack Obama and His Teaching of Constitutional Law

The debate over Barack Obama's teaching tenure at the University of Chicago Law School has been a topic of discussion for many years. Some have claimed that he never taught or was not qualified to teach constitutional law, while evidence suggests a more nuanced and accurate picture of his contributions to the field.

Barack Obama's Academic Path and Teaching

Barack Obama served as a professor at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004, teaching as a Lecturer from 1992 to 1996 and as a Senior Lecturer from 1996 to 2004. His tenure as a professor was marked by his involvement in the legal community and his commitment to teaching and academic enrichment. Despite the claims that he never taught, or was not qualified to teach, these statements are misleading and do not reflect the reality of his contributions to the law school.

Barack Obama's Roles and Titles

Barack Obama's roles at the University of Chicago Law School were well-defined:

Lecturer (1992-1996) - Obama served as a lecturer, a designation that is not equivalent to being a full-time tenure-track professor but does imply a significant and dedicated teaching role. Lecturers are considered members of the Law School faculty and are regarded as professors, albeit not full-time or tenure-track. Senior Lecturer (1996-2004) - A title that carried with it the distinction of a few federal judges, indicating a high level of academic achievement and leadership in the legal field.

Throughout his tenure, Obama taught three courses per year, a substantial commitment to academic teaching and pedagogy. Senior Lecturers like Obama had high-demand careers in politics or public service, which prevented them from serving in a full-time teaching role, but they were still integral members of the faculty.

Actual Courses Taught by Barack Obama

During his time at the University of Chicago Law School, Obama taught three main courses:

Due Process and Equal Protection - This course covered the constitutional aspects of the due process and equal protection under the law. Voting Rights Class - This course traced the evolution of election law from the disenfranchisement of African Americans to contemporary debates over districting and campaign finance. Racism and Law Seminar - This innovative course combined a legal analysis with a historical and political perspective, focusing on the role of law in racial discrimination and civil rights. Obama improvised his own textbook, including seminal cases like Brown v. Board of Education and the essays of notable figures in the Civil Rights Movement.

While Obama did not primarily teach a first-year basic constitutional law course, his seminars on race and law and voting rights were highly relevant and impactful in the study of constitutional law. He was not simply a guest lecturer but an established professor with significant expertise in legal and political analysis.

Conclusion

The claims that Barack Obama never taught or was not qualified to teach are misleading. His contributions to the University of Chicago Law School, particularly through his courses on race and law and voting rights, demonstrate his dedication to academic excellence and his significant influence on legal scholarship. By denying these contributions, we risk devaluing the work of a highly respected legal and political figure.