Course Descriptions
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E-Commerce (3)
533D
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 531)
This course will focus on selected topics that would likely present themselves in the representation of clients attempting to protect their assets, intellectual and other, as they conduct business on the internet. This class is a seminar and will result in the prodluction of a paper by the student. Students will select paper topics from a list provided by the professor. In addition to the production of a paper, students will act as class experts on the topic of their paper. Papers will be presented in class.
The following list is representative of the issues covered in class:
1. The protection of trademarks on line
2. The protection of domain names
3. Contracting online (e.g. Ueta. Esign, ucita, e-mail deals, shrink-wrap)
4. Authentication and digital signature
5. Consumer protection on line
6. Judicial jurisdiction over disputes
7. Privacy
8. Controlling digital goods: copyright
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Education Law (2)
579D
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 456)
An overview of the legal and historical bases of the American education system, its constitutional and statutory underpinnings, and the traditional and evolving distinctions and tensions between public and private, as well as religious and secular, educational systems. The course would examine the educational system from the legal perspective of students, teachers and school administration. Specific topics covered would include freedom of speech, academic freedom, due process, search and seizure, contract and public sector labor law, desegregation and other equal opportunity issues, basic principles of school finance and tort liability.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Elder Law (2)
541C
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 510)
The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the unique clients needs of the elder client and their families. The elderly pose a unique risk to abuse and victimization, which, while similar to that of a minor, require a recognition of their status as a legally competent adult. The course will address the most salient issues of an elderly client base: the attorney client relationship; the responsibilities and duties imposed by the durable powers statutes, entitlement programs, housing alternatives, Medicaid planning, abuse, guardianships, estate planning and family law issues.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Election Law (2)
579E
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 318)
This course involves the study of election issues, including voting; redistricting; candidacy, ballots and ballot access; party organization; initiative, referendum and recall; campaign finance; and recounts.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Employment Law (3)
511C
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 522)
This is an introductory employment law course, which will begin with the
foundations of employment law, including an examination of the employment relationship and terms and conditions of employment. A substantial portion of the course will cover federal legislation and related case law, such as
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family
and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Energy Law and Policy (2)
566J
Concentration(s):
The course will explore the evolution, nature and purpose of federal and state regulation of the natural gas and electric power industries in the Unites States. Particular emphasis will focus on the regulatory agencies themselves, both state and federal.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Entertainment Law (2)
520
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 511)
This course surveys legal issues involved in the entertainment industry, including acquisition of rights, copyright, music publishing, event promotion, contracts and remedies. The course will include a number of guest speakers active in the industry.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Environmental Law (3)
566A
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 323)
A broad-based study bringing in elements of economics, ecology, politics and philosophy. Focus will be on our society's legal response to the pollution problem. Federal laws such as the Clean Air Act, National Environmental Policy Act, TCTA and CERCLA will be discussed.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Equity (3)
579F
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 333)
Considered are the history and development of equity, equity jurisdiction, remedies available in equity and contempt powers.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Estate and Gift Taxation (3)
540D
Concentration(s):Tax
(Formerly DCL 381)
This course will examine a decedent's gross estate and the determination of appropriate deductions therefrom, including the marital deduction, as well as how the tax is computed. Issues regarding taxable gifts, deductions, exclusions and exemptions will be explored, as well as computation of gift tax.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Estate Planning and Drafting Seminar (2)
540B
Concentration(s):Tax
(Formerly DCL 482)
This course focuses on the impact of federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes on will and trust drafting. Various aspects of Michigan law and state tax issues also will be covered. There will be several drafting assignments as well as a paper analyzing and making recommendations concerning a complex estate planning problem. EITHER Basic Income Tax A OR Basic Income Tax B fulfills the prerequisite, along with Property and Decedents' Estates and Trusts.
Prerequisite(s):
-Basic Income Taxation A
-Basic Income Taxation B
-Decedents' Estates and Trusts
-Property
Top
Estates and Future Interests Drafting Seminar (3)
540C
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 491)
This is a three (3) hour course with enrollment limited to 15 students. The course is designed to provide an understanding of estates and future interests and how they are used in property transfers. Focus is on intensive in-class drafting of the carefully crafted language necessary for the creation of the various interests by deed, will or trust. The legal and practical consequences of each of the interests created are also studied. It is believed that the in-class drafting component makes for a greater comprehension of the materials. Accordingly, class attendance is strongly encouraged. The course will have a written final examination.
The subject matter of the course is one of examination both on the Multistate Bar Examination and many state essay examinations, including the Michigan Bar Examination. The course should have particular appeal to those who may practice in the areas of real estate law or estate planning.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
European Union Law (3)
548C
Concentration(s):Int'l & Comparative Law
(Formerly DCL 447)
This course provides an introduction to the legal institutions of the European Economic Community. The subjects covered include the Treaty of Rome and other relevant legal instruments, the major institutions and characteristics of community law, internal community policies, external trade policies, competition law and the future of the community. A student may not take both this and Constitutional Law of the European Union.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Evidence (4)
500P
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 220)
A study of the means and methods of proof or disproof of a proposition as either permitted, required or prohibited under the Anglo-American system of jurisprudence. The rules respecting problems of remoteness and prejudice of evidence, circumstantial proof, the employment of writings, their authentication and proof of their contents. A study in depth of hearsay evidence and its status in the evidence. A thorough inquiry into the so-called "evidential preferences" of our legal system and the deficiencies of hearsay evidence as related to these preferences.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Evidence Seminar (2)
590B
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 498)
This seminar focuses on the Federal Rules of Evidence. The course begins with some brief review of the Federal Rules, and some analysis of underlying theories of evidence. The main focus of the seminar is on extended role-playing exercises. Individual students serve as reporters for mock revision of rules of evidence that they select, subject to the instructor's consent. Their obligation is to prepare a revised rule and comment, and also to prepare a supporting paper that satisfies the writing requirement. Seminar participants must also, from time to time, comment on others' proposed revisions, in accordance with roles they are assigned to play. One third of the grade is based on students' class participation in general, two-thirds on their performance on their individual projects.
Prerequisite(s):
-Evidence
Top
Family Dissolution Law Reform Seminar (2)
541D
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 312)
This course aims to familiarize students with the current discourse on no-fault divorce law and to engage them in a critical assessment of the need for reform and the many proposals for reform. Students prepare a paper, which they present to the class for comment.
Prerequisite(s):
-Family Law I: Marriage & Divorce
Top
Family Law I: Marriage & Divorce (3)
541E
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 504)
Not a prerequisite for Family Law II.
The study of the substantive requirements of marriage, divorce, allocation of property, alimony, child custody, ante nuptial agreements, and separation agreements.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Family Law II: Child, Family and the State (3)
541F
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 521)
(NOTE: Family Law I is NOT a prerequisite for this course. Students who have taken Domestic Relations may take this course.)
In Family Law II, we will examine a host of issues confronting today's modern families. For example, we will discuss how to define family - including marriage and parenthood - in the 21st century. Some specific topics include: defining family for distribution of "family" benefits; balancing work and family; paternity; domestic violence; child abuse and neglect; surrogacy; adoption; and artificial insemination.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Federal Jurisdiction (3)
579G
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 349)
(This is a 2 credit course when taken in Washington D.C.)The focus of this course is the operation of the federal court system. It will cover not only the usual bases of federal court jurisdiction, such as diversity, federal questions and removal, but also other doctrines that impact federal courts, including standing, ripeness, mootness, abstention and state sovereign immunity. Significant attention will be focused on federal litigation under the Civil Rights Acts. This course will be of benefit to those intending to practice in federal courts and to those seeking a federal court clerkship.
Prerequisite(s):
-Civil Procedure I
-Civil Procedure II
Top
Federal Law and Indian Tribes (3)
635B
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 486)
An examination of the law and policy of the United States regarding Indian tribes and their citizen members. Study the relationships between the federal, state, and tribal governments; and examine the source and scope of federal, state and tribal authority in Indian Country
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Food and Drug Law (2)
558B
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 357)
This course is designed to provide a basic working knowledge of domestic laws regulating food, drugs, cosmetics, biologics/blood and medical devices. It has an administrative overtone, providing an understanding of the legislative and regulatory processes through an in-depth look at the relationship between the FDA, industry, consumer interest groups and Congress.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Franchise Law (2)
513
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL 343)
This course provides an examination of the franchise relationship, including the role of trademarks, the statutory hallmark and remedy
provisions, and the government regulations which comprise the system for
distributing goods and services known as franchising. The IFA [International
Franchise Association] estimates that by "2005, franchising will become a $1
trillion-a-year industry, accounting for half of all retail sales."
Prerequisite(s):
Top
Frederick Douglas Team (0)
627D
Concentration(s):
(Formerly DCL547)This course may be offered for 2-4 credits.
This is an inter-law school competition team. Enrollment is through invitation of the board.
Prerequisite(s):
Top
[A-B, C-D, E-F, G-H, I-J, K-L, M-N, O-P, Q-R, S-T, U-V, W-X, Y-Z]
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