Course Descriptions

[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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E-Discovery (2)
537D
This course will cover the rules and procedures for conducting discovery of electronically stored information (ESI). This course will examine the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, with their relatively recent amendments. This course will focus on the rules and caselaw, and is an experiential course built around exercises using discovery software.

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Education Law (2)
579D
(Formerly DCL 456)
This course provides an overview of students’ rights in K-12 public schools in the United States with a focus on federal constitutional law. Specific topics covered can include free speech, search and seizure, racial and ethnic equity including desegregation, gender equity, corporal punishment, school finance, and federal statutory law including the No Child Left Behind Act. The course can be benefit individuals interested in representing districts or students, and also those who may represent a public sector client, even if employed by a private firm.

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Elder Law (2)
541C
An introduction to the needs of elder clients & their families.

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Election Law (2)
579E
(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.


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Employment Discrimination Law (2)
511B
A study of the development of individual employee rights. The course will look at at-will employees as well as protected employees under NLRA and FLSA.

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Employment Law (3)
511C
(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): Students may not take this course if they have taken Labor and Employment Law.

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Entrepreneurial Lawyering (2)
537E
This course helps students understand the economic pressures, technological changes, and globalization facing the legal profession in the 21st century, and to assist students in successfully navigating their legal career given these challenges. The course explores the concept of a virtual law practice as well as the use of technology and cloud-computing in building a law practice; free and low-cost resources and tools will be shared that will help the entrepreneur-minded student identify ways to leverage leading-edge technology to defray start-up costs associated with launching a practice and to control overhead. Ethics, licensing, and malpractice issues will also be discussed. The course will be particularly useful for students who are contemplating solo practice, consulting, or engaging in an entrepreneurial venture, as well as those who are considering non-traditional uses for their law degree. Other topics to be covered include client development and networking, case studies of innovative legal services delivery mechanisms and alternative business structures, and work/life balance including the study of emotional intelligence and mindful lawyering practices. This course assumes students may (or may not) arrive with a range of experience in the use of technology we will provide training for everything needed to succeed in this course.

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Environmental Justice (2)
566S
Environmental justice draws from environmental law and civil rights law principles to focus attention on the disparate environmental harms experienced by low-income communities and communities of color. This course will provide students with a comprehensive introduction to environmental justice by examining topics such as the development of the environmental justice movement, the empirical evidence of the unequal distribution of environmental benefits and burdens caused by hazardous waste facilities and other types of industrial activities, theories of causation for disparities in environmental impacts across communities, special issues relating to American Indian communities and tribal governance, environmental justice perspectives on regulation and the administrative state, and issues relating to risk assessment. In the second half of the course, students will study environmental justice claims that arise in several areas of environmental law, including standard setting, program design, facility permitting, enforcement, contaminated site cleanup, and brownfield redevelopment. Students will also study the role of the lawyer in private enforcement actions, and they will learn how environmental justice claims can be framed as constitutional and civil rights claims.

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Environmental Law (3)
566A
(Formerly DCL 323)
This course provides an introduction to the legal principles, institutions, and policy debates central to American environmental regulation. The course begins with an overview of economical and ethical justifications for environmental regulation, historical and contemporary common-law-based approaches to environmental problems, and the evolution of federal environmental law. Next the course surveys the regulatory programs enacted under major environmental statutes, including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA), and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The course will focus in this connection on differences in the statutory criteria used to determine the stringency of regulation (risk-based, technology-based, and cost-benefit standards), and the choice between direct regulation and economic-incentive-based means of meeting environmental goals. Finally, discussion will turn to the challenges of environmental enforcement, and the role of agencies, courts and citizens groups in the implementation of environmental law.

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Equitable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Law Clinic I (6)
631V
Equitable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Law Clinic I provides opportunities for students to develop a professional identity and ethically manage uncertainty while experiencing the practice of entrepreneurial and intellectual property law in a well-supervised and academically rigorous program. Students will learn the skills and values to work with entrepreneurial for-profit, hybrid, or non-profit ventures, led by and/or serving underrepresented individuals or groups, on projects related to intellectual property and entrepreneurial law. Students will engage in direct client representation and systemic advocacy through activities such as client counseling, research, transactional analysis, planning, drafting, and educational materials development and outreach.
Prerequisite(s): Note: (1) In addition to class times, students enrolled in this clinical program may be required to work additional clinical hours each week (including but not limited to weekly supervision meetings with clinic faculty, if any) in order to meet ABA requirements for completing an amount of work that reasonably approximates the required coursework per credit hour awarded; (2) some clinical hours (including but not limited to orientation) may be performed remotely consistent with ABA requirements, in order to ensure an accessible and equitable practice environment for both students and clients, as well as one which adequately prepares students with necessary remote communication skills; (3) students may be required to attend mandatory clinic orientation(s) that takes place before the first day of class; (4) some travel time to clinic clients or partner organizations in Mid-, Northern, Southeast or West Michigan may be required; (5) strong preference will be given to students who both have completed recommended coursework and demonstrate interest in EEILC II; and (6) enrollment is by application only.
Clinic faculty will give strong preference to selecting applicants for enrollment in the clinic who have coursework or experience demonstrating interest in public service, and who have completed or will be concurrently enrolled in recommended courses for Equitable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Law Clinic I: (1) Business Enterprises; (2) either Professional Responsibility, or Lawyer Regulation and Ethics in a Technology-Driven World; and (3) one or more of Patent Law, Intellectual Property Survey, Patent Application Preparations, Trademark and Unfair Competition Law, Copyright Law, or Licensing IP. As with standard clinic practice, enrollment by application only. In addition to the standard clinic requirements of completion of the first year RWA courses and eligibility for student practice under Michigan Court Rule 8.120, clinic faculty will give strong preference to selecting applicants for enrollment in the clinic who have coursework or experience demonstrating interest in public service, and who have completed or will be concurrently enrolled in recommended courses for Equitable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Law Clinic I: (1) Business Enterprises; (2) either Professional Responsibility, or Lawyer Regulation and Ethics in a Technology-Driven World; and (3) one or more of Patent Law, Intellectual Property Survey, Patent Application Preparations, Trademark and Unfair Competition Law, Copyright Law, or Licensing IP. In addition to co- or prerequisite courses, coursework or experience demonstrating interest in public interest is strongly recommended.


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Equitable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Law Clinic II (3)
631W
Equitable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Law Clinic II is a continuing opportunity for students who have successfully completed coursework in Equitable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Law Clinic I, and who seek to build upon their prior clinic experience to develop skills of leadership, self-reliance, and independence in the practice of entrepreneurial and intellectual property law. Advanced students will be expected to more independently conduct work with entrepreneurial for-profit, hybrid, or non-profit ventures, led by and/or serving underrepresented individuals or groups, on projects related to intellectual property and entrepreneurial law. Advanced students will also work with clinic faculty to provide mentoring to those enrolled in the clinic for the first time, in areas in which advanced students have already acquired some expertise, as well as coordinate community outreach and informational programs.

Prerequisite(s): Note: (1) Clinic faculty may require that advanced students avoid scheduling classes or commitments that conflict with EEILC I seminar in order to attend from time to time (for example, to participate in project rounds); (2) in addition to attending clinic seminar from time to time, students enrolled in this clinical program may be required to work additional clinical hours each week (including but not limited to mandatory weekly or biweekly supervision meetings with clinic faculty, if any) in order to meet ABA requirements for completing an amount of work that reasonably approximates the required coursework per credit hour awarded; (3) some clinical hours (including but not limited to orientation) may be performed remotely consistent with ABA requirements, in order to ensure an accessible and equitable practice environment for both students and clients, as well as one which adequately prepares students with necessary remote communication skills; (4) students may be required to attend mandatory clinic orientation(s) that takes place before the first day of class; (5) some travel time to clinic clients or partner organizations in Mid-, Northern, Southeast or West Michigan may be required; (6) preference will be given to students who both have completed coursework recommended for EEILC I; and (7) enrollment is by instructor invitation only. Completion of Equitable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Law Clinic I and permission of the instructor are required for enrollment in Equitable Entrepreneurship & Innovation Law Clinic II.

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Equity (3)
579F
(Formerly DCL 333)
Considered are the history and development of equity, equity jurisdiction, remedies available in equity and contempt powers.
Prerequisite(s): Students who have taken Remedies may not take this class.

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Estate and Gift Taxation (3)
540D
(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): Although not a formal prerequisite, students who have not completed coursework in both Basic Income Tax and Trusts and Estates are recommended to not take this course.

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European Union Law (3)
548C
(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.


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Evidence (4)
500P
(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.


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Evolutionary Analysis and Law (3)
537U
Evolutionary analysis can provide insights into the practice and understanding of law. We will learn basic computer techniques to analyze legal texts to develop metrics to measure similarity, influence, and sentimen—techniques that lawyers can use in their own practices. We will ask whether the insights of cultural evolution elucidate common law development. More theoretically, evolutionary analysis helps to understand law’s purpose, its role in group evolution, as well as the biological nature of its human subjects.

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Family Law: Child, Family and the State (2)
541F
This course examines major constitutional, statutory, and practical frameworks that establish and regulate the rights and conduct of children and parents. Students will explore issues such as children’s rights and parent’s rights; state interventions into the parent-child relationship; the ability of children to make independent economic and medical decisions; and juvenile delinquency. Students will analyze existing legal frameworks as situated within broader social, economic, and policy considerations, and recognize implications involving race, culture, community, and diverse family structures. Students may take Family Law: Child, Family, and State and Family Law: Marriage & Divorce in any order or at the same time.

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Family Law: Child, Family and the State (3)
541F
(Formerly Family Law II; Child, Family and the State) This course examines 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. Students may take Family Law: Child, Family, and State and Family Law: Marriage & Divorce in any order or at the same time.

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Family Law: Marriage & Divorce (3)
541E
(Formerly Family Law I: Marriage & Divorce) This course examines laws governing entry into marriage, access to divorce, the economics of divorce (property distribution, alimony and child support), child custody, premarital agreements, and cohabitation. Students may take Family Law: Marriage & Divorce and Family Law: Child, Family, and State in any order or at the same time.

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Federal Jurisdiction (3)
579G
(Formerly DCL 349)
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

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Federal Law and Indian Tribes (3)
635B
(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




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Food and Drug Law (2)
558B
(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.


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Food Law and Regulation in Latin America and the Caribbean (1)
811J
Companies seeking to export food products to Latin America and the Caribbean may encounter a host of legal issues that require familiarity with the national and international food laws and regulations and applicable trade agreements in these regions. Understanding the variety of governing legal frameworks and potential legal issues related to doing business in Latin America and the Caribbean in the food space can help facilitate efficient and compliant commercial transactions. In addition, knowing which type of local experts to enlist and when can help improve supply chain and administrative issues related to importing or exporting the food product. Finally, learning key business terms in Spanish can help improve cross-cultural understanding in commercial transactions related to the sale of food products in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Prerequisite(s): This course intended for students in the Global Food Law program

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Food Law Current Issues Seminar (2)
810S
Food law is a dynamic area of law, with rapidly evolving technologies, frequent revisions to the global regulatory landscape, and continually changing consumer demands. This course augments a three-day seminar on current and emerging issues food law. The course requires students to engage with expert speakers and with one another to analyze international, transnational, and national food law and policy. Emphasis is placed on understanding the cutting-edge and controversial aspects of food law and policy. The course will be offered to students in the Global Food Law Program and will be offered online, as is typical of all courses in the program.

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Food Law: Preventing Fakes and Counterfeits (3)
810Z
Protection from fake food is increasing in importance on a global scale. The crime of product, or trademark, counterfeiting for food has exploded with increased use of e-commerce and it has become even more challenging to protect a company’s food product and brand. While reactive legal responses remain important in the combatting of counterfeit food, a proactive approach will be necessary for a lawyer in this field. This class will explore both the reactive and proactive steps to protect a brand’s food product through trademark law, criminal law, administrative law, and contract law.

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Food Regulation in Canada (3)
810C
This course is designed for anyone who must understand the legal and regulatory complexities of the flow of food and agricultural products as they make their way from the farm gate to the grocery store shelves in Canada. This course will examine federal statutes and regulations including the Canada Agricultural Products Act, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act, the Fish Inspection Act and the Meat Inspection Act.
Prerequisite(s): This course is restricted to students in the Global Food Law Program.

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Food Regulation in the European Union (3)
810B
This online course enables students to study the factors influencing the development of food regulation in the EU. By making full use of the internet, students will gain access to relevant documentation in support of their professional needs and, having followed the course, students will be able to make an informed interpretation of the content.
Prerequisite(s): This course is restricted to students in the Global Food Law Program.

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Food Regulation in the U.S. (3)
810A
An online course designed for anyone who must understand the legal and regulatory complexities of the regulation of food products in the United States including issues such as food and food safety regulation, regulatory compliance, HACCP, the regulation of genetic modifications, food additive regulation, food labeling, dietary supplements, the protection of the food supply, and the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act.

Prerequisite(s): This course is restricted to students in the Global Food Law Program.

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Food Regulatory Law: Counseling and Advocacy (3)
811F
In the modern regulatory state, attorneys, regulatory affairs managers, and similar professionals either directly counsel or provide assistance and interfacing for food industry firms regarding both legal requirements and proactive guidance dealing with agencies, particularly in adverse or high-stakes situations. This course explores the law and administrative process that governs the regulation of the food industry, with a particular focus on strategic and tactical decisions by lawyers and food industry professionals to promote sound regulation of the food industry by federal and state agencies. Among other aspects of the regulation of food, this course will cover: the nature of the administrative process; legal strategy and analysis; the role of regulatory affairs; the practical application of regulatory affairs; tools and strategies concerning regulatory affairs; the nature of assessing and communicating risk; quality controls and management; compliance; and judicial review of agency decisions.
Prerequisite(s): Suggested to take: LAW 810A, U.S. Food Laws and Regulations

Can not be taken if already taken: LAW810U, Regulatory Leadership in Food Law

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Foundations of Law (0)
530K
The primary focus of this course is to provide first-year students with an introduction to the study of law, with preliminary exposure to legal reasoning, the structure of the American legal system, and fundamental legal-theoretical concepts. This course also seeks to put students who come to the law from a variety of academic backgrounds on a more equal footing.

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Foundations of Law and Legal Research (2)
807A
This online course provides an introduction to the American legal system with a special focus on the research and writing needs of international scholars and non-lawyers (focus on American jurisprudence and Global Food Law).
Prerequisite(s): This course is restricted to students in the Global Food Law Program.

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Free Speech, Technology, and Society (2)
537X
This course examines the major aspects of current First Amendment law, its historical development, and philosophical foundations. Special focus will be placed on application of First Amendment law to the internet and new technologies. In addition, the course will study the First Amendment’s role in current political conflicts, including campus free speech and the conflict between free speech and anti-discrimination law.

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FSMA FSVP Rule (3)
810V
This course provides students with the legal perspective of FDA’s Foreign Supplier Verification Program of the Food Safety Modernization Act. This course has an administrative overtone, providing an understanding of the legislative and regulatory processes through an in-depth look at the relationship between the Food and Drug Administration, industry, consumer interest groups, and science communities.
Prerequisite(s): This course is restricted to students in the Global Food Law Program.

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FSMA Preventive Controls Rule (3)
810W
This course provides students with the legal perspective of FDA’s Preventive Controls for Human Food Rule of the Food Safety Modernization Act. This course has an administrative overtone, providing an understanding of the legislative and regulatory processes through an in-depth look at the relationship between the Food and Drug Administration, industry, consumer interest groups, and science communities.
Prerequisite(s): This course is restricted to students in the Global Food Law Program.

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FSMA Produce Safety Rule (3)
810X
This course provides students with the legal perspective of FDA’s Produce Safety Rule of the Food Safety Modernization Act. This course has an administrative overtone, providing an understanding of the legislative and regulatory processes through an in-depth look at the relationship between the Food and Drug Administration, industry, consumer interest groups, and science communities.
Prerequisite(s): This course is restricted to students in the Global Food Law Program.

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Fundamentals of Food Science and Safety for Lawyers (2)
811C
This course provides lawyers with a fundamental understanding of food science and safety in order to better understand the impact they have on food laws and regulations. Students gain an understanding of the core concepts of food science, food safety and the ability to understand the intersection of the science, manufacturing, food law, impact to consumers. Lawyers will be able to better understand and interpret the science and research used in the food industry and in turn, apply the knowledge to help their clients reduce risk.
Prerequisite(s): Intended for students in the Global Food Law Program

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