Legal/Social Law Perspectives (LWPER)

This course introduces you to current "hot-button" issues in technology policy and law through the eyes of policymakers, asking you to advance their conversations. The early weeks of the course introduce you to the substantive legal, technical, and policy background around these issues. The later weeks shift toward problem solving and building concrete, public-facing projects, working in interdisciplinary teams. The projects in this class are tailored to meet the current research needs of particular federal and state lawmakers and agencies based on their legislative and regulatory agendas for the year. Possible policy coverage and project areas include connected health; consumer/ investor protection in security and privacy; disinformation, governance, and tech literacy; internet availability and net neutrality; sustainability and ethics in computing design; the Internet of Things and the right to repair; machine learning/ AI suitability; tech competition; computing history; and tech workforce development. Successful projects will be shared with the policymakers whose work they advance.

This course describes the substantive law relevant to the field of information security or "infosec" law, commonly known to policymakers as "cybersecurity." It examines how courts, legislatures, and regulators confront the major legal issues that information security presents. The course includes three types of 'readings' - one set introduces you to a key aspect of the history and culture of information security; the second set introduces technical and policy standards; the third consists of statutes and caselaw. The early weeks in this class introduce you to the state of the law of information security and assist you in acquiring technical competence in the terms of art of the field. The later weeks in the course identify and frame current legal debates in Congress, state legislatures, regulatory agencies, and the business community on matters of information security.

This the first of a two-course sequence. Students may take this course and later choose to not continue with National Security Law II (Leadership in Crisis Simulation); however, all students wishing to take the National Security Law II must take National Security Law I (Foundations) as a prerequisite. National Security Law I 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; offensive cyber operations; the government's authority to collect intelligence and conduct surveillance, both within the U.S. and abroad; the public's right to obtain national security information and the government's right to keep secrets; U.S. homeland security law; and legal issues associated with the North American Treaty Organization and the law of the sea. 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 is designed to teach students about the veterans benefit system, by analyzing the statutes and regulations that govern that system, studying the administrative agency tasked with applying the law and distributing the benefits, and analyzing both administrative and judicial decisions interpreting those laws. Students will study the policy goals of the system, the role of attorney representation of veterans as it has changed over time, how to be an effective advocate for the veteran in this system, and the challenges the system faces due to the unprecedented number of claims filed and appealed

This course will explore the intersection between law and (in)equity with the goal of exposing students to the ways individuals and groups are impacted differently by historical and existing laws in the United States. Each week, one professor based or affiliated with Penn State Law will lead a lecture and discussion in an area of their expertise.

This course introduces students to Critical Race Theory and Feminist Legal Theory. The class will explore three major questions during the semester: What comprises Critical Race Theory and Feminist Legal Theory? Do these areas of study remain relevant? If so, what can legal scholars, educators, and practitioners draw from them to effect social justice through legal institutions? Students who successfully complete this course will: Identify, describe, and interpret the fundamental principles of critical race theory and feminist legal theory; Critically engage with scholarly literature; Use critical race theory and feminist legal theory as a lens for thinking critically about how to effect social justice through legal institutions; Demonstrate competency in academic legal writing; Demonstrate competency in public speaking, including the ability to engage in meaningful and respectful discussions around the topics of race and gender.

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.