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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Marijuana Law (1)
566T
Marijuana Law – Global Food Law (GFL) is an on-line module course learning via Desire to Learn. This summer course dives into an exciting and rapidly evolving field of study and practice area. Currently, 24 states and Washington DC have legalized recreational marijuana use for adults 21 years of age. Significantly, 41 states, District of Columbia Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands have laws permitting marijuana for medical use and application.
Marijuana Law – Global Food Law (GFL) Summer course is focused on products through a brief history of cannabis (marijuana and hemp), elements and application of marijuana laws in Michigan as the primary study model and information to other state laws and Canada. The summer course utilizes a case study identifying the applicable state law and local law, and addresses cannabis product development within state law.
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Marijuana Law (2)
566T
Marijuana Law and Policy continues to be an exciting and rapidly evolving field of study and practice area. Currently, 24 states and Washington DC have legalized recreational marijuana use for adults 21 years of age. Significantly, 41 states, District of Columbia Guam, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands have laws permitting marijuana for medical use and application. Rapidly strict prohibitions of the past are being legislated into history by the states, as federal legislative and regulatory prohibitions remain in place and highly debated.
Marijuana Law and Policy includes student debates of proposed or pending state and federal legislation and whether now is the time to “de-schedule” or “reschedule” marijuana from the federal schedule.
Marijuana Law and Policy Fall course provides a brief history of cannabis (marijuana and hemp), ethics for law practice considerations, elements and application of marijuana laws in Michigan as the primary study model, government regulation, labor and employment issues, and vehicle operations and marijuana use. The course utilizes a case study identifying the applicable state laws and local laws that allow for cannabis businesses.
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Matrimonial Practice (3)
541M
(Formerly DCL 532)
This course provides the practical knowledge and skills necessary to develop expertise in handling matrimonial matters from initial client contact through each step of the proceedings, including Motion Practice and Temporary Orders, Discovery, Custody, Equitable Distribution, Support, Negotiations/Settlement, Mediation, and Settlement Drafting.
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Media Law (3)
534A
This course explores the law that applies to the media as it gathers and disseminates information in a democratic society. Topics may include the historic roots of freedom of the press and speech; libel and invasion of privacy suits; the protection of confidential sources; access to government proceedings and records; student press and speech rights; “citizen journalists” on social media; shield laws, obscenity and sexually explicit speech in media; IP law, including copyright infringement/fair use concerns; and definitional challenges raised by internet news/blogging.
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Media Law Online (2)
533G
The online Media Law course will include recorded lectures punctuated by several videos, recorded music, visual images and news clips to illustrate legal concepts such as defamation, copyright infringement, intrusion into privacy, false light, right to publicity, and other causes of action covered by the course. The online class will include recorded talks by special presenters. A taped panel discussion featuring journalists, bloggers and First Amendment attorneys would also be included.
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Mediation Advocacy (3)
587D
This course gives an overview of the ADR processes and practices with a focus on mediation advocacy. It covers types of mediation, Med-Arb processes, mediation agreements, confidentiality protocols, advocates in mediation, selecting a mediator, structure, strategy of proposed mediation and mediator’s proposals, ethical issues, and impartiality. In addition to these concepts, Michigan Court Rule 2.411 will all be covered. Students will learn the different types of mediation in theory and practice, and learn to effectively advocate for clients in mediation. This course will be offered as part of experiential learning and include simulation exercises.
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Mediation Advocacy and Civil Facilitative Mediator Training (3)
587E
This course meets the civil facilitative mediator training requirement as required by Michigan Court Rule and the Michigan State Court Administrative Office (SCAO). With this training, and the completion of additional requirements, students will be able to apply for inclusion on court mediation rosters. The course includes a variety of graded assignments, including drafting an agreement to mediate (with adequate confidentiality provisions), a post-mediation agreement (with mediation clause), and a mediation representation plan. By balancing theory with practice and paying particular attention to mediation ethics, students completing this course will be prepared to both mediate civil cases and effectively advocate for clients in mediation. Students who have taken Mediation Advocacy and Domestic Relations Mediator Training may not take this course.
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Mediation Advocacy and Domestic Relations Mediator Training (3)
587F
This course meets the domestic relations mediator training requirement as required by Michigan Court Rule and the Michigan State court Administrative Office (SCAO). With this training, and the completion of additional requirements, students will be able to apply for inclusion on court mediation rosters. The course includes a variety of graded assignments, including drafting an agreement to mediate (with adequate confidentiality provisions), a post-mediation agreement (with mediation clause), and a mediation representation plan. By balancing theory with practice and paying particular attention to mediation ethics, students completing this course will be prepared to both mediate domestic relations cases and effectively advocate for clients in mediation. Students who have taken Mediation Advocacy and Civil Facilitative Mediator Training may not take this course.
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Mediation Competition (2)
627M
This is a performance and presentation-based course that serves as the intensive training component for the law school’s Mediation Competition Team. The course covers the mechanics of mediation with a focus on preparation for interscholastic or bar association advocacy competitions. Topics in the course include development of case theory, effective advocacy skills, and appropriate professional conduct. Students must complete at least 24 credits to be eligible for invitation to participate.
Prerequisite(s): Research, Writing and Analysis, Advocacy, and Mediation Advocacy and Civil Facilitative Mediator Training Permission Only
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Mergers and Acquisitions (3)
516
(Formerly DCL 505)
Overview of issues relating to business combinations. The course includes a transactional perspective on mergers and acquisitions, with some consideration of the social and economic significance of business combinations. Attention will be paid to relevant statutes, negotiation, acquisition documents, valuation methodologies, and characteristic problems in negotiated acquisitions, in addition to careful examination of takeover defenses and Delaware case law. Simulations and drafting exercises may be a component.
Prerequisite(s): Business Enterprises
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Michigan Civil Procedure (2)
593A
(Formerly DCL 438)
This course is a survey of Michigan civil procedure at the trial and appellate levels. The purpose of the course is to acquaint students who intend to practice in Michigan with the nuances of state procedural law. Focus will be placed on the differences between the Michigan court rules and the federal rules of civil procedure. Also, the subject matter jurisdiction of the various courts within the state system, as well as Michigan's long-arm statute, will be examined.
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Michigan Statutory Personal Injury Practice (1)
600C
The course will examine the key statutory provisions necessary to analyze Michigan personal injury cases including: no-fault, automobile negligence, owner's liability, dram shop, wrongful death, governmental immunity, and workers' compensation, and the major cases interpreting the statutory provisions. The course covers Michigan bar examined topics and is helpful to students who plan to practice in Michigan.
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Moot Court Competition (Class) (2)
627A
(Formerly DCL 700)
An intramural Moot Court Competition open to all students after their first year. Students who wish to continue in the Moot Court Program must elect Moot Court Competition (Class) during their third semester. The class is a prerequisite for inter-school competition and staff positions.
Prerequisite(s): Advocacy, Research, Writing and Advocacy I, Research, Writing and Advocacy II, Research, Writing & Analysis
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Mortgage Finance (2)
517A
(Formerly Mortgage Banking Law)
This course will explore in depth the various legal issues in the mortgage banking industry, a trillion dollar industry at the heart of the U.S. economy. The focus will be primarily on the residential mortgage segment, as that is the larger and more familiar part of the industry. (Formerly DCL 466)
The course will examine the "life" of a residential mortgage loan, including its origination between a consumer and a mortgage lender, on the one hand, and its metamorphosis into part of the international capital market, on the other. More particularly, the course will involve analysis of the uniform note and mortgage; examination of non-conventional types of residential finance; survey of applicable federal laws and regulations (including Truth-in-Lending, Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, etc.); review of agreements used in the origination and sale of residential mortgage loans; and consideration of the mechanics of securitization of mortgage loans. This will be an interdisciplinary course where students will be able to use concepts of real estate law, consumer law, commercial transactions and securities law.
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Mortgages (2)
593C
(Formerly DCL 406)
This course considers various aspects of the law of suretyship and real property security, including land mortgages, land contracts, right to rents and profits before and after foreclosure sale, redemption, subordination agreements, circuity problems under contradictory systems of priorities pursuant to state and federal law, and security interests in fixtures under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code and the land law.
Prerequisite(s): Property
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Natural Resources Law (2)
566C
Concentration(s): Env. & Nat. Resource Law
(Formerly DCL 463)
This course will explore the legal regimes under which public natural resources are allocated and managed. In addition, this course will consider the laws governing federal public lands, which constitute one-third of the nation. Special attention will be given to the costs and benefits of resources development and conservation, and to the philosophical, historical and constitutional underpinnings of natural resources law and policy. Resources studied will include forests, minerals, oil and gas, rangeland, recreation, water, wilderness and wildlife.
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Negotiation (2)
591C
(Formerly DCL 520)
This course introduces principles of negotiation. Students will be required to engage in multiple mock negotiations, with frequent feedback from the instructor.
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Negotiation Competition (2)
627N
This is a performance and presentation-based course that serves as the intensive training component for the law school's Negotiation Competition Team. The course covers the mechanics of negotiation with a focus on preparation for interscholastic or bar association advocacy competitions. Topics in the course include development of case theory, effective advocacy skills, and appropriate professional conduct. Students must complete at least 24 credits to be eligible for invitation to participate.
Prerequisite(s): Research, Writing and Analysis, Advocacy, and Contract Negotiation Permission Only
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New Horizons in Food Laws in Africa and the Middle East (3)
811A
This online course, introduces food law and regulation as it is currently practiced in the region. Students gain an understanding of the numerous factors influencing the development of food laws and regulations, legal and regulatory complexities, and the flow of food and agricultural products across Africa and the Middle East. Perspectives from legal, regulatory, scientific, and trade interests are considered. The linkage of law and regulatory developments in Africa and the Middle East to broader movements underway on an international basis is explored.
Prerequisite(s): Open to students in the Global Food Law (GFL) Program and others with approval of the college. Requests for enrollment from non-GFL (JDs and other guests) should be sent to foodlaw@law.msu.edu for processing.
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New Technologies and the Law (2)
535T
This course helps students recognize, explain, and critique how the law and legal profession responds to new technologies, and assists students in successfully navigating their legal careers given these challenges. This course will survey a number of new technologies (e.g., APIs, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, data analytics, Open Source licensing, quantum computing, and other technologies of growing interest or application). Approximately 25% of this course will focus on application of new technologies in the area of Access to Justice. This course will consider new legal roles (e.g., product counsel and legal operations), challenges technologies bring to traditional delivery of legal services, and practicing law in areas where technology is outpacing the ability of law to stay current. How do lawyers advise clients about managing risks in this new environment? This course will be particularly useful for students who are contemplating representing business or technology clients, using their law degree in non-traditional ways, or working on Access to Justice efforts. This course assumes students may (or may not) arrive with a range of knowledge and experience in the use of technology and will provide the necessary introduction to the technologies in class.
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No-Fault Insurance Law (2)
595
(Formerly DCL 319)
This course will provide an in-depth look at Michigan's version of the no-fault concept. Statutory and case precedent dealing with such issues as coverage, first-party benefits and limits on recovery will be explored. Also, the policy behind and practical application of the no-fault "threshold" will be studied.
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Nonprofit and Tax-Exempt Organizations (2)
572K
This class will examine the formation, governance, operation and the legal framework of nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations. Topics include the state and federal law governing nonprofits; the skills necessary to create, operate, and advocate for nonprofit organizations; determining the legal form of the organization; tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code; fundraising (charitable giving, solicitations, charitable gaming, legal regulation of such activities); limitations on lobbying and political activities; unrelated business income tax rules & planning; duties and responsibilities of the board of directors; liability of nonprofit organizations; and, ethical issues for nonprofits.
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