How the Constitution should be interpreted is an important field of study. Beginning in the 1980s, conservative legal theorists (and politicians) have done a masterful job of promoting originalism as the one true approach. But, as should be apparent, originalism is not the only interpretative theory driving judicial decisions. Nor should the playing field be viewed as originalism v. the other methods. This two-hour weekly seminar will focus on class discussion of the readings and response papers. If we are successful, you will become familiar with the major interpretative theories; be able to assess their strengths and weaknesses; and sharpen your own views.
This course will examine the legal response to violence and stalking between intimate partners. Students will critically examine the existing legal remedies available to DV survivors and consider the role the law should play in responding to domestic violence. Topics will include the criminalization of DV, civil restraining orders, child custody actions, and alternative interventions, among others. The course will also touch on current debates in this area of the law, such as the use of restorative justice. In addition to the subject matter overview, students will engage in in-class practical skills exercises including mock client interviews, simulated oral arguments, and group problem exercises.
Students who complete the course will be exposed to the role of the lawyer lobbyist in the shaping of state and federal public policy. The course is designed to provide students with the historical and legal background of legislative advocacy. Students will gain the practical skills necessary to succeed in the legislative advocacy field. The goals of this course are for the students to understand how to effectively advocate on behalf of a cause, company, or non-profit entity, review laws and regulations affecting lobbying and lobbyists, and comprehend the competitive landscape of public policy. It is the goal of this course to effectively train students in all the essential ideas necessary to become an influential advocate before a state legislature or the United States Congress.
This writing-intensive course focuses on several hot topics in health law, including public health issues, physician employment contracts, regenerative medicine and the right to try, and telemedicine. The content units will be taught through a series of simulations and case files. While learning substantive healthcare law, the students will also draft and/or critique both transactional and litigation-based documents.
This seminar explores the foundational beliefs that define our legal system. We will study how leading thinkers have conceived of the law during the Classical Era, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, the Industrial Revolution, and Modern Times. This class will challenge you to think about thinking.
Comparative approach to examine who counts as an expert, what counts as reliable, and how those shift across legal systems. Planned visits to institutions such as the Old Bailey, the Royal Courts of Justice, and Scotland Yard to observe how expert knowledge is produced and tested in court.
This course will explore religious freedom as defined by the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Described as the “first freedom,” the concept of religious freedom has figured prominently in a variety of culture clashes during the past few decades, including same-sex marriage; racial justice advocacy; reproductive rights; immigration; and pandemic-related regulations. These clashes have legal implications as the Supreme Court has considered a religion-related case almost every year of the Roberts Court. While principally focused on the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses, this course will also give attention to other aspects of religious freedom such as the relevant aspects of the Free Speech Clause and federal statutes and state laws relating to religious freedom. This course will offer a greater examination of religious freedom than provided in Constitutional Law classes by exploring familiar topics and cases in greater depth, while also introducing new areas for analysis and discussion. Major topics will include the sociological foundation for religion; the history of religious freedom in the United States; the current law governing religious accommodations; and the current law implementing the Establishment Clause.
A survey of legal, ethical, and policy issues regarding non-human animals. Topics include anti-cruelty laws; medical and scientific research; liability for injuries to, or caused by animals; hunting laws; and standing for animals.
This course will examine how the law affects women’s lives in a number of different contexts. The class will consider a number of different areas, including but not limited to employment, education, family responsibilities, violence against women, and other issues affecting women’s bodies, including pornography and prostitution. The class will also review a number of feminist legal theories and issues relating to the intersection of gender with race and class.