Academics

Course Descriptions

Seminars

Seminars involving in-depth analyses of many legal issues and topics are offered every semester. The content of these seminars varies from year to year as matters of current interest shift in the fields of law from which the topics are drawn. Faculty offering seminars usually post detailed descriptions well in advance of registration for the semester in which the seminar will occur. Most seminars require a substantial research paper that will satisfy the Advanced Research and Writing Requirement. Students should check with the faculty member teaching the seminar for specific information. Some seminars are offered only occasionally. The course descriptions below are for regularly offered seminars (those expected to be offered at least once in every two year period).

Seminar in Business and Estate Planning (2 cr.) DN854 This seminar provides an analysis of individuals' methods for disposing of wealth, using the laws of trusts, estates, future interests, and taxes. Topics include marital deductions, life insurance, powers of appointment, arrangements for minor or other incapacitated children, charitable gifts and devises, qualified retirement plans, non-qualified retirement plans, passive activities, disposing of stock in closely held corporations, estate freezes, and generation-skipping tax transfers. Generally, each student will be required to prepare an estate plan based on statements of facts distributed by the instructor. P: Income Taxation (DN648); Trusts and Estates (DN722); Taxation of Transferors, Fiduciaries, and Beneficiaries (DN725); or permission of instructor.

Seminar in Church and State Relations (2 or 3 cr.) DN890 This seminar analyzes the traditional doctrine of the separation of church and state and considers current problems, including civil disobedience, conscientious objection, Sunday Blue Laws, religion and education, tax exemption of church property, religion and family law, censorship, and religion and public morality.

Seminar in Criminal Procedure (2 cr.) DN817 The criminal process will be examined as it relates to specialized socio-legal problems such as drug abuse, victimless crime, organized crime, child abuse, and white collar crime. The particular area to be addressed will be announced each time the seminar is offered.

Seminar in Education Law (2 cr.) DN856 Selected legal topics related to current education policy are covered with an emphasis on constitutional (federal and state) issues.

Seminar in Health Policy, Law and Bioethics (2) D/N ____ This is an advanced seminar designed to help students develop their ability to understand major issues facing the American health care system from an interdisciplinary perspective. Faculty and students will consider a wide-range of critical health law policy questions using both inter- and multi-disciplinary perspectives.

Seminar in Illicit International Markets (2 cr.) DN755 will examine the international trade in goods, products, and services (for example, trafficking in human beings, drugs, and money laundering) which have been deemed illicit by societies. We will discuss international coordination of response to such markets -- the choice of eradication, regulation, or suppression methodologies, i.e., legal responses to such markets. In particular, our focus will be the impact of laws, regulations, and other suppression attempts on the specific market and on those societies most affected (with attendant implications for human rights and criminal law), and on whether the regulatory goals have been achieved. The human rights and civil society impact of criminalization will also be examined. Other markets suitable for study include art and national patrimony, and human body parts.

Seminar in Law and Literature (2 cr.) DN834 Explores the relationships of law and literature. Specific topics vary according to faculty and student interests. (May be taught as a non-seminar course)

Seminar in Law and Technology (2 or 3 cr.) DN778 This seminar explores many aspects of the complex interrelationships between law and technology. In addition to examining the law specifically applicable to computers and other technological developments, the seminar may focus on themes and trends, such as the causal relationship between technological evolution and change in the law. This seminar can focus on a wide variety of possible themes and topics depending upon the interest and background of the instructor and students.

Seminar in Public Utilities Regulation (2 cr.) DN858 Concepts of state and federal utility regulation are addressed in this seminar. It also considers current regulatory problems, such as restriction of entry, market requirements, mergers and market structures, and rate making practices and procedures.

Seminar in Selected Problems of Tort Law (2 cr.) DN871 This seminar focuses on issues that arise in tort cases involving multiple defendants. Coverage will include traditional tort concepts, such as contribution and indemnity, as well as novel theories, such as market share liability.

Seminar in the Law of Nonprofit Organizations (2 cr.) DN843 This seminar examines the legal frameworks under which nonprofit organizations operate and are regulated; the legal rights and obligations of directors, trustees, officers and members of nonprofit organizations; and the legal and tax implications related to charitable giving, advocacy, lobbying, political and commercial activities of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations.

Seminar on the Law of Rape (2 or 3 cr.) DN677 This seminar will explore themes common to the law's treatment of rape, taking up the legal issues in a variety of contexts, including criminal law, torts, family law, the military, prisons, and employment. Issues will include the legal definition of rape; proof and evidentiary rules; rape and abortion; and rape, pornography, and the First Amendment. Legal issues will be set in historical, psychological, sociological, and political contexts.