Legal/Social Law Perspectives (LWPER)

This the first of a two-course sequence. Students may take this course and later choose to not continue with National Security Law II (Crisis Simulation); however, all students wishing to take the National Security Law II (Crisis Simulation) must take National Security Law I (Foundations) as a prerequisite. National Security Law I (Foundations) examines the laws, processes, and institutions relevant to protecting the nation's security. The course first examines the critical relationships between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches in forming, overseeing, and executing national security policy and operations. The course then examines the federal government's authority to use force abroad, including covert and special operations; the government's authority to collect intelligence and conduct surveillance, both within the U.S. and abroad; the interrogation and prosecution of terrorist subjects; and critical issues relevant to protecting the homeland. The course also examines the practical challenges national security lawyers confront in practice. Persistent themes include the balance between security and liberty, the allocation of authority within and between governments, and the perceived tension between national security and international obligations. This course is appropriate for any student interested in better understanding some of the most important and even existential issues facing the nation today. The course is also essential for students with specific career interests in national security or public international law.

This course will explore the different ways in which the law regulates and accounts for sexuality in general and sexual orientation in particular. Topics to be covered will include rights to privacy and their impact on the ability of the state to regulate sexual conduct; rights to equal protection by lesbians and gay men; the movement for relationship recognition, marriage equality, and other family rights; rights to free speech and associations of lesbians and gay men (and of those who do not want to associate with them); employment discrimination; and legal issues involving transgendered individuals.

This course will address legal issues and concepts for people living with disabilities. It will cover issues surrounding civil rights discrimination, and public benefits ranging from employment, housing, income supplements, health, and education. Students will review legislation, case law, and rules, and will focus on the practical, and social concerns of individuals living with disabilities.

Special Topics

This course explores how various areas of the law impact the sports industry. The "law" that is used by most sports lawyers is principally the application of settled principles of other legal fields to the sports industry: contract law, labor law, tax law, products liability law, intellectual property law, etc. The Sports Law course, then focuses on important areas that provide the foundational principles that drive the outcome of most legal disputes arising in the sports industry. The course also examines on certain areas of the law such as antitrust, labor, and constitutional law, that have specific and unique applications to sports.