Selected Topics

Selected Topics will focus on emerging or specialized areas of law not covered in other upper-level courses. Specific topics will vary; registration materials will include more detailed course descriptions for Selected Topics offered in any given semester or summer session.

Animal Law

This course will introduce students to those principles, rules, and regulations, as developed by common and statutory law, that affect animals and people. Questions of property, torts, wills and trusts, contracts, administrative and constitutional law will be explored as these areas relate to animals. Additionally the course will cover protections under criminal and civil statutes; cruelty and abuse laws; legal standing for animals; treatment of laboratory animals; ownership and valuation issues; custody areas, and ethical and legal dilemmas posed by the capture, confinement, and commercial use of animals.

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Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978

This course will present an in-depth analysis of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, starting with an overview of its historical context and the policies behind the Act’s unique federal mandates to states courts that are dealing with Indian children in foster and adoptive care.

The specific provisions regarding jurisdiction, rights of the tribes, burdens of proof, and placement preferences will be covered in depth, as well as the emerging case law from state courts. Students will be graded on class participation and a research paper.

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