Courses | School of Law | SIU

500A-.5 Mastering Legal Education I. Law students will learn foundational law school study skills necessary for 1L academic success (pre-class preparation, post class synthesis and outlining, study and application in preparation for exams, time management, etc.). Example assignments are tied to the 1L classes being simultaneously taken. Periodic self-reflection exercises, one on one meetings, and strategies based on sound learning theory assist students in becoming empowered self-regulating learners. Restricted to enrollment in the School of Law and required of all 1L law students. Graded S/U.

Credit Hours: .5

500B-.5 Mastering Legal Education II. Students build on the work done in the Mastering Legal Education I course, using feedback from first semester courses and spring course work to revise individual study plans, refining and deepening law school study skills. Assignments are tied to spring semester classes being simultaneously taken. Periodic self-reflection exercises, group work, one on one meetings, and use of sound learning theory strategies helps students become more skillful self-regulated learners. Restricted to enrollment in the School of Law; required of all 1L law students, but those on Dean's list may affirmatively opt out. Graded S/U.

Credit Hours: .5

502A-3 Torts I. This course surveys basic tort law (injuries to persons and property), with topics including intentional torts and negligence. The course includes an introduction to legal method, the tort litigation process and the social policy considerations underlying tort law.

Credit Hours: 3

502B-3 Torts II. This course is a continuation of Torts I, and will cover additional topics related to negligence, including damages, apportionment, liability for the acts of others, and defenses. This course will also cover, among other things, strict liability, products liability, defamation, and the privacy torts. Coverage might also include additional tort law concepts such as fraud, misrepresentation, nuisance, and others.

Credit Hours: 3

Taught in small sections, this course provides instruction and practice in legal research, legal analysis, and legal writing. The focus is on objective legal writing and basic legal research sources. This course also introduces students to client interviewing skills and to relevant ethical principles that may arise when representing a client.

Credit Hours: 3

This course continues the development of the research, analysis, and writing skills practiced in Lawyering Skills I. The focus shifts to persuasive legal writing and more complex legal research sources. Students are also introduced to negotiation, oral advocacy, and client counseling skills.

Credit Hours: 3

This course teaches the nuts and bolts concepts and rules of civil procedure applicable to pleading, motion practice, discovery, pretrial disposition, trial and appeal.

Credit Hours: 3

This two-day, one-credit workshop taught during the winter intersession introduces students to the vocabulary, concepts, and skills needed to effectively communicate and advise business clients. In particular, the course exposes students to: (i) basic accounting, finance, and tax principles; (ii) contract drafting; (iii) counseling and advising clients; (iv) business planning; (v) business organizations; and (vi) international business issues. Business Boot Camp is a complement to and not a substitute for the transactional, business, and tax law courses offered by the Law School. A background in finance, accounting, or business law is neither required nor expected. Graded S/U.

Credit Hours: 1

Taught in small sections, this course introduces students to the legal authorities that exist in the United States, the relationships between them, their relative weight or power, where they are published or otherwise accessible, and how they are organized. It also introduces students to the process of legal research and research strategy, familiarizing students with current tools and methods.

Credit Hours: 1

This course builds on the foundational knowledge and skills students developed during the fall in Lawyering Skills I: Legal Research, placing more emphasis on research methods and strategy, additional sources of authority, legislative and regulatory history research, and practice guides and other practitioner materials.

Credit Hours: 1

Building on the research techniques presented in Law 507A (Lawyering Skills I: Legal Research) and Law 507B (Lawyering Skills II: Legal Research) [Prior to Fall 2020: Law 503A Lawyering Skills I and 504A Lawyering Skills II], this course focuses on the effective and efficient use of both legal and non-legal research tools available to assist in the practice of law. Students receive advanced training in Westlaw, LexisNexis, and other commercial and free online research systems and resources. Prerequisite: Law 507A and Law 507B [Prior to Fall 2020: Law 503A and Law 504A]. Graded S/U.

Credit Hours: 1

509A-3 Constitutional Law: Powers of Government. This course surveys the law, principles, and policies of government structure and powers under the United States Constitution. Topics covered include the nature of judicial review, the separation of powers, and the relation of nation and states in a federal system.

Credit Hours: 3

509B-3 Constitutional Law: Individual Rights. This course surveys the law, principles, and policies of individual rights protected by the United States Constitution. Topics covered include inter alia, the rights secured by the First Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment.

Credit Hours: 3

This course provides instruction and practice in legal analysis and legal writing. The focus is on objective legal writing. The course also introduces students to client interviewing skills.

Credit Hours: 2

This course continues the development of the analysis and writing skills practiced in Lawyering Skills I-Legal Writing. The focus shifts to persuasive legal writing. Students are also introduced to negotiation and oral advocacy skills.

Credit Hours: 2

The first of a two-course sequence in contract law covering the concept, scope and function of contract as an institution for ordering resources exchange and allocation in society. The sequence will cover the legal techniques for the promotion and securing of expectations created by exchange of promises: offer and acceptance, problems of consideration, interpretation, condition, assignments, breach of contracts and remedies. Changes in the basic contract law in respect to contracts involving sale of goods under the U.C.C. will be noted and discussed in appropriate places. Restricted to enrollment in the School of Law.

Credit Hours: 3

A continuation of Contracts I, with the sequence covering the concept, scope and function of contract as an institution for ordering resources exchange and allocation in society. The sequence will cover the legal techniques for the promotion and securing of expectations created by exchange of promises: offer and acceptance, problems of consideration, interpretation, condition, assignments, breach of contracts and remedies. Change in the basic contract law in respect to contracts involving sale of goods under the U.C.C. will be noted and discussed in appropriate places. Restricted to enrollment in the School of Law.

Credit Hours: 3

This course in the second semester of the freshman year will introduce students to the basic principles of separation of powers, legislative authority, statutory interpretation, and administrative law.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as ACCT 543) Provides students with in depth exposure to federal income taxation of corporations and shareholders. Areas explored are corporate formations, distributions, redemptions, liquidations, corporate income tax, accumulated earnings tax, personal holding company tax, and affiliated corporations.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as ACCT 544) Provides students with in-depth exposure to federal income taxation of partnerships, partners and related LLCs and owners. Areas explored are the definition of a partnership, acquisition of an interest, basis of interest, tax accounting for partnership, subchapter S, or LLC operation, distributions, termination, sale or exchange of interest, collapsible partnerships, death or retirement and tax shelters.

Credit Hours: 3

Substantive criminal law presents difficult questions concerning the relationship of the individual to the state, the goals of the criminal law, and how they may be achieved. Therefore, the course will study the general principles of criminal law, with particular emphasis placed on homicide, inchoate crimes (e.g., attempts and conspiracy), and defenses (e.g., insanity).

Credit Hours: 3

An overview of basic principles of commercial law, including sales and leases of goods, negotiable instruments, checks, credit and debit cards, letters of credit, and secured transactions.

Credit Hours: 3-4

This course introduces students to principles of accounting, auditing, and finance from the perspective of the practicing attorney. Students will learn the fundamental concepts of accounting, auditing, and finance and related terminology. Students also will learn to read and analyze financial statements and explore how these statements are used to make business decisions. No knowledge or background in accounting or bookkeeping is necessary.

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course allows for an in-depth examination of selected topics that arise under the U.S. Constitution. Potential topics include property rights, unconstitutional conditions, bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, press rights, the right of free expression, and the religion clauses. Prerequisite: LAW 509B Constitutional Law: Individual Rights [Prior to Fall 2021: LAW 509].

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course exposes students to the rules and techniques available for pre-trial preparation of matters in litigation. The course includes practical skills assignments in client interviewing, taking and defending depositions, drafting pleadings, motions and written discovery, as well as settlement negotiations. Restricted enrollment (usually 24 per section, perhaps fewer during summer), priority to seniors. Prerequisite: Law 505 (Civil Procedure I). Graded S/U.

Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to concepts of relationships between people to things. Attention will be directed to: 1) implications of possession; finding; bailments; adverse possession of real property; 2) gifts of personal property; 3) estates in land (emphasizing present possessory estates); and 4) landlord/tenant relationships. Restricted to enrollment in the School of Law.

Credit Hours: 3

This course involves the study of the transfer of interests in real property including real estate contracts, deeds, recording procedures, methods of title assurance, easements, and covenants. The course also studies government regulation of land, including a discussion of zoning, eminent domain, and the extent to which other laws regulating the use of property may amount to inverse condemnations.

Credit Hours: 3

This course involves a study of mortgages and other financial instruments used in the sale and exchange of residential real estate. Key topics include: sales contracts, title insurance, rights and duties of the parties during foreclosure, transfer of mortgaged property, and priority problems between senior and junior mortgages.

Credit Hours: 3

This course considers the federal income taxation of individuals. Topics include increases in wealth that are taxed and that are not; expenses that can be deducted and those that cannot. Emphasis is placed on income tax problems faced by general practitioners, such as taxation of settlements and damage awards, deductibility of attorney fees, tax consequences of sales and exchanges, and tax aspects of divorce.

Credit Hours: 3-4

This course considers planning strategies for transferring wealth during lifetime and at death. Potential topics include marital planning and planning for spendthrift beneficiaries, disabled beneficiaries, and beneficiaries with behavioral issues. It also introduces basic concepts of gift and estate taxes. It is expected that this course will be taken by third-year students. Law 531 (Trusts and Estates) is helpful but it is not a prerequisite.

Credit Hours: 3

This course covers problems associated with any kind of joint enterprise, including: the principal's tort liability for acts of agent; rights between principal and agent; contractual powers of agents; liability of agent to third persons; ratification; notice and imputed knowledge; termination of authority; and partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and limited liability companies. Suggested second-year course. Anti-requisite: LAW 554 Business Organizations.

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course covers problems associated with any kind of joint enterprise, including: selection and development of business forms; the formation, financing, and management of closely held corporations; disregard of the corporate entity; control and management of the public corporation; duties of officers and directors; struggles for control of the corporation; and transactions in shares of the corporation. Suggested second-year course. Anti-requisite: LAW 554 Business Organizations.

Credit Hours: 3

The course focuses on the Fourth Amendment and on the self-incrimination clause in the Fifth Amendment. More specifically, it deals with problems of search and seizure, the exclusionary rule, confessions and the Miranda Rule and lineups.

Credit Hours: 3

This course deals with problems arising in the administration of estates, including who inherits property when a decedent leaves no will; the formal requisites of wills; will substitutes; the nature, creation and termination of trusts; charitable trusts, and fiduciary administration. The four-hour course includes several skills projects which are not included in the three-hour course. Suggested second-year course.

Credit Hours: 3-4

The function and use of administrative agencies, the application of the Administrative Procedure Act, consideration of policy and economics, the role of the judiciary and the scope of judicial review, and the allocation of decision-making powers. Suggested second-year course.

Credit Hours: 3

This course covers the subject matter jurisdiction of the federal court system. Topics include judicial power over "cases and controversies," cases "arising under" the Constitution and laws of the United States, diversity of citizenship, removal jurisdiction and procedure, venue, jurisdiction to determine jurisdiction, conflicts between state and federal judicial systems, federal common law, and appellate jurisdiction.

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course teaches the advanced concepts and rules of civil procedure applicable to jurisdiction, the Erie Doctrine, judgements, and joinder of claims and parties. Prerequisite: Law 505 (Civil Procedure I).

Credit Hours: 3

A survey of the rules and underlying theories governing the admission, exclusion, and sufficiency of evidence in court proceedings, emphasizing the Federal Rules of Evidence. Specific topics include witness competency, relevance, credibility, hearsay, confrontation, clause issues, privileges, expert witnesses, and real and demonstrative evidence. Includes rules concerning trial structure, examination of witnesses, and substitutes for evidence.

Credit Hours: 4

An examination of problems of advocacy, tactics and procedures at the trial level, primarily consisting of student exercises and demonstrations. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Law 536 (Evidence).

Credit Hours: 3

This course focuses on developing the following skills: problem solving; interviewing and counseling; negotiation; drafting; and organization and management of legal work.

Credit Hours: 3

A study of the relationship between the state and the family including procedures for marrying, legal relationships within an on-going family, alternative forms of families, and problems in the dissolution of the family. Special emphasis is placed on problems of child support, adoption, and divorce, particularly child custody and property settlement agreements.

Credit Hours: 3

This course examines the law relating to informational privacy as it runs through many different practice areas, including, but not limited to, tort law, media law, criminal law, health law, election law, education law, and the laws regulating the financial and credit industries. Informational privacy, the focus of this course, differs from the decisional privacy cases studied in Constitutional Law. Here, the focus is on how the law regulates access to, and dissemination of, personal information, whether by the government or a third party.

Credit Hours: 3

This course covers traditional and modern approaches to choosing the applicable state law in a civil lawsuit, federal constitutional limits on such choices, choice of law in federal court proceedings, choice of law and forum selection clauses, recognition of judgments, and application of federal law in the international context.

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course surveys federal income taxation of corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. Topics include taxation of business operations, and distributions from a business entity to its owners, and consequences of contributing property to a business entity. Emphasizes problems faced by general practitioners, such as choice of business entity and transfers of cash or property between a business and its owners.

Credit Hours: 3

This course is an overview of the key environmental statutes and theoretical foundations for environmental regulation. It considers the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, hazardous waste laws, and natural resource conservation laws. It also addresses mechanisms used by legislatures and agencies to protect the environment, as well as the relationships between states, industries, environmental groups, federal agencies, Congress, and the courts.

Credit Hours: 3

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course covers the issues raised by government regulation of the capital market, the process of financing business and the trading of stocks, bonds, and other interests in business. Topics include disclosure requirements, insider trading, and the definition of "security.

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course will teach students substantive asylum and refugee law, as well as procedures for representing an asylum applicant. Students will gain an understanding of the history and development of asylum and refugee law, both internationally and within the United States; will become familiar with the substantive legal requirements to qualify as a refugee; will be able to identify the appropriate forms and procedures for filing a claim for asylum; and will learn about the availability of related forms of relief.

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course primarily examines three broad issues: the mental health professional and the law; the mental health system in the civil context; and the mental health system in the criminal setting. The course examines the legal and philosophical basis for a separate mental health system and the legal limitations upon that system. In this regard, the role of the professional mental health practitioner, the role of the attorney in the mental health process, legal rights of patients within the system and related problems are explored.

Credit Hours: 2-3

Study of historical common law principles of labor law, the National Labor Relations Act and the operation of the National Labor Relations Board; analysis of representation and unfair labor practice procedures, and conduct constituting unfair labor practices, including union related discrimination, picketing, strikes and boycott activity; review of principles relating to the enforcement of collective bargaining agreements, labor arbitration, labor anti-trust issues, and individual rights in the labor setting.

Credit Hours: 3

This course analyzes legal issues surrounding agency law, partnership law, and the law of the closely held and publicly held corporation. Among the topics considered are: planning for the close corporation; management and control issues of corporations; the proxy system; duties of officers, directors and controlling shareholders; transactions in shares by directors and others; mergers and takeovers; and public policy implications of the publicly held corporation. The course provides students with a solid and interwoven understanding of its concepts. It is intended to be useful to both future business and non-business lawyers. Anti-requisites: LAW 527 Agency & Partnership and LAW 528 Corporations.

Credit Hours: 3-4

This course covers the available remedies for various civil courses of action and the theories underlying such remedies and analyzes whether some theories justify application or withholding of certain remedies irrespective of the name of the cause of action. Topics include: value judgements in choosing certain remedies, damages, equitable remedies, and restitution. Suggested third-year course.

Credit Hours: 3

A survey of the law relative to insurance contracts and the rights conferred on the insured, the insurer and third parties. Topics include: powers of insurance intermediaries; the insurable interest doctrine; warranties, representations and concealment; waiver, election and estoppel; coverage and exclusions; payment of loss; subrogation; rights of insurance beneficiaries; and government regulation of the insurance industry.

Credit Hours: 2-3

Survey of the different schools of legal philosophy and jurisprudence (natural law, moral law, etc.).

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course introduces students to the rules and processes governing relations between states and between private parties located in different states in the international system. Subjects include the rules and sources of international law; how international law is made, implemented and enforced; the interaction between international law and U.S. law; international and nongovernmental organizations; and international dispute resolutions.

Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to introduce students to international law as it relates to private business transactions. It covers the international sale and purchase of goods; national and international regulation of international business transactions, including trade, licensing and investment; and resolution of international business disputes. The course introduces students to negotiation and drafting of international business agreements.

Credit Hours: 3

State statutory and common law affecting people in the business of farming; legal considerations in farm land ownership; use of credit; farm tenancy, employment of farm labor; water and drainage law; livestock law; cooperatives and not-for-profit corporations in agriculture; the impact of zoning, eminent domain and the nuisance theory on farming.

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course examines how authors, musicians, artists, software developers, web designers and others control the copying, distribution, sale, and performance of their works through copyright law and related doctrines. The course will cover the kinds of works that qualify for copyright protection, the scope of rights granted to copyright owners, and the special privileges that copyright law provides for the public, including the "fair use" doctrine. We will consider how copyright law shapes and is shaped by businesses and individuals who create music, movies, literature, software, and databases. The course will particularly focus on copyright's response to technological change, including current controversies such as the copying of digital music and the alteration and adaptation of movies by fans.

Credit Hours: 3

This is a course in the law regarding protection of rights to inventions. It will consider in detail the nature of patentable subject matter, and the requirements of utility, novelty, and non-obviousness. It will also consider the process for securing patent rights, including the patent prosecution process, the requirements of disclosure and enablement, the enforcement of patent rights, considering issues of claim construction, infringement, including infringement under the doctrine of equivalents, remedies, and defenses. It will consider the policies and economics underlying and justifying the patent law system.

Credit Hours: 3

This course is a survey of federal antitrust regulation and its mixture of substantive legal principles, economics, and socio-political value judgments. After briefly introducing the relevant statutes and economic doctrines, the focus will turn to "Structural" violations associated with enterprise power, such as monopolization, and finally to "conduct" violations, such as price-fixing. Critical assessment of the "popular assumptions" behind antitrust policy is included.

Credit Hours: 3

Water law deals with various aspects of the law relating to the use of one particular natural resources: water.

Credit Hours: 3

569-1 or 2 Advanced Legal Methods. This second-year course provides individualized feedback on legal analysis and study skills. Using a subset of topics from the 2L required curriculum, with ASP faculty working with professors teaching those subjects, this course provides multiple formative assessments and other assignments to help students diagnose and correct problems with class preparation, critical analysis, time management, and test-taking skills. Multiple individual required conferences help students develop and implement successful individualized learning plans. Enrollment by instructor permission or at the direction of the Associate Dean. Graded S/U.

Credit Hours: 1-2

The course will focus on developing in students an understanding of interviewing and counseling as lawyer functions and of the skills and problems associated with these functions. In particular, concern would be with (a) interpersonal and psychological aspects and problems in interviewing and counseling processes, (b) interviewing as a fact-gathering tool, (c) counseling and the lawyer's role in the decision making process and as advisor, and (d) ethical problems raised in the interviewing and counseling settings. Restricted to Enrollment in the School of Law.

Credit Hours: 2-3

Brief writing and oral argument of an appellate case as part of interscholastic moot court competition. Enrollment is limited to students who have taken Advanced Appellate Advocacy and who have been invited to join the Appellate Moot Court Board. Prerequisite: Law 507A (Lawyering Skills I: Legal Research), Law 510A (Lawyering Skills I: Legal Writing), Law 507B (Lawyering Skills II: Legal Research), Law 510B (Lawyering Skills II: Legal Writing) [Prior to Fall 2020: Law 503A (Lawyering Skills I), Law 504A (Lawyering Skills II)], Law 638 (Advanced Appellate Advocacy), completion of at least 30 credit hours, and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.6. Graded S/U.

Credit Hours: 1-2

Law Journal Participation. Restricted to enrollment in the School of Law and admission to Law Journal candidacy.

Credit Hours: 1-2

The Mock Trial Board shall consist of a maximum number of 8 students, selected as set forth in the Operating Rules Governing Mock Trial. All Mock Trial Board members are required to participate in at least one interschool competition as well as perform intra-school administrative hours as required by the Faculty Advisor. A cumulative GPA of 2.6 is required. Graded S/U.

Credit Hours: 1-2

This course analyzes legal and technological issues surrounding the discovery of electronically stored information (ESI) in litigation. The course would be structured to follow the Electronic Discovery Reference Model: examining topics including information governance; identification; preservation; collection; processing; review; analysis; production; and presentation of ESI. The course is intended to provide students with both an understanding of the technology, e.g., what a load file is, and the evolving legal standards addressing, e.g., what ESI litigants have to preserve. It is intended to be useful to future litigators, as well as those who seek to advise businesses and other parties that must anticipate litigation.

Credit Hours: 3-4

The rights, duties, and remedies of debtors, creditors and trustees under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code are examined. The course also covers enforcement of money judgments, insolvency proceedings and the use of alternative dispute resolution in bankruptcy. Federal bankruptcy law is emphasized. Prerequisite: Law 517A (Introduction to Commercial Law), which may be taken concurrently.

Credit Hours: 3

The course builds upon the study of private law devices of land use planning studied in the first-year property course: nuisances, easements and restrictive covenants. The primary focus of the course will be on public regulatory activities relating to the use of land. Among the topics analyzed are subdivision control, comprehensive planning, zoning and historic preservation.

Credit Hours: 3

This course cover the ethical responsibility of lawyers. Topics include attorney confidentiality, communication between attorney and client, conflicts of interest, attorney fees, ethics in advocacy, and attorney advertising and solicitation. The course also covers attorney-client privilege, malpractice, attorney liability to third parties, judicial ethics, and disqualification and admission to the bar.

Credit Hours: 3

This one or two credit practicum will provide students with experience with protocols for the production of electronically stored information (ESI), including use of tools to collect, process, search, review, and produce that ESI. Prerequisites: LAW 505 and LAW 575 or LAW 590 with Electronic Discovery topic.

Credit Hours: 1-2

The course focuses on legal issues found in both amateur and professional sports. Topics include constitutional law, antitrust, contracts, labor, torts and criminal. The course will also include analysis of the responsibilities and roles of an attorney representing a professional athlete.

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course considers some of the special protective legal mechanisms that have arisen at the federal and state levels in the context of consumer transactions. The principal focus of the course is on deceptive and unfair advertising and other practices in consumer transactions and on consumer credit regulation (e.g., disclosures, discrimination, usury, collection practices).

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course provides an introduction to the law related to state government; the state/federal relationship; and other subdivisions of state and local government, including counties, townships, municipalities, and special local government units. Focuses on the powers and duties of these various governmental entities and questions of jurisdiction. Examples and problems are drawn largely from the Illinois experience.

Credit Hours: 3

The course focuses on the legal, tax and ethical issues encountered in starting up a new business and converting from one business form to another. The emphasis is on general and limited partnerships, closely held corporations and limited liability companies. Prerequisites: Law 525 (Federal Income Taxation), and either Law 527 (Agency & Partnership) or Law 528 (Corporations).

Credit Hours: 3

An examination of issues related to the operation of a law practice. The student will gain an understanding of the practical aspects of the business of running a law practice. Particular emphasis will be placed on the organization of a law practice, business planning, law firm financial matters, employee management, client relations, insurance and marketing.

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course will cover theories and techniques used in mediation from the perspective of the mediator, using readings, discussions and simulation exercises designed to illustrate theories and techniques of mediation. Skills developed will include passive and active listening, questioning, problem-solving, maintaining neutrality, persuasion, negotiation, and professional judgment. There will be guest speakers who will discuss their experiences with mediation. There will also be writing assignments related to topics discussed in class and opportunities to observe and analyze mediations. Further, throughout the course, we will discuss the ethical issues that often face mediators. Graded S/U.

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course requires the preparation of a written research paper of publishable quality on a topic chosen by the student and approved by the instructor. Several seminars are offered every year in various subject areas. Senior priority, enrollment usually limited to 12. Course may also be taken for elective credit.

Credit Hours: 3

The course covers the growth and development of product liability for personal injury and economic loss. The course seeks to provide not only a current view of product liability law, but also presents important public policy questions ranging from international economic competitiveness to alternative welfare and compensation systems.

Credit Hours: 3

This course familiarizes students with bases upon which U.S. admits and removes non-U.S. citizens from the country pursuant to the Immigration and Nationality Act. It covers roles and powers of the different branches of government in the development of immigration law policy. Topics include the constitutional rights of noncitizens, family and employment-sponsored immigration, bases for exclusion and removal, asylum, and citizenship.

Credit Hours: 3

This course offers one hour of S/U credit for experiential learning for up to three immigration law students per semester. Student(s) will assist with the Immigration Detention Project and other immigration law-related activities, including conducting research, arranging translators, giving presentations, grant writing and reporting, and other tasks. Pre/Co-requisite: Law 593 Immigration Law. S/U grading.

Credit Hours: 1

This course deals with how the federal and state constitutions and laws governing pre-trial and trial procedure in criminal cases. The course goes chronologically through the criminal case and covers right to counsel, grand jury, bail, the decision to prosecute, criminal pleading, preliminary hearing, joinder and severance, speedy trial, discovery, guilty pleas, jury procedure, and double jeopardy.

Credit Hours: 3

This course requires the student to prepare a research paper of publishable quality on a topic selected under the direction of a faculty advisor. It is restricted to students who have completed at least three semesters; it does not fulfill the senior writing requirement. Law 595 counts against the otherwise available six hours of Graduate School courses toward the 90 hours for the J.D. Mandatory minimum cumulative GPA required: 2.6.

Credit Hours: 1-6

This course explores the health care system, its basic institutions, and the policy issues confronting the system, as well as the law's role in shaping the system and in implementing policy choices. Special emphasis is placed on issues of health care access, quality, and costs.

Credit Hours: 3

Includes discussion of standards of care, statutes of limitations, informal consent and defenses.

Credit Hours: 3

This course includes discussion of standards of care, statues of limitations, informed consent, and defenses. Eight to twelve students concurrently enrolled in Law 597 (Medical Malpractice Law) can earn a fourth hour of course credit for a clinical rotation with residents of the School of Medicine. Law 597C is restricted to eight (determined at first class meeting). Availability to be determined by instructor. It is graded S/U. Co-requisite: Law 597.

Credit Hours: 1

This course examines critical issues in law and medicine arising from advances in medical science and technology, including such areas as reproduction, organ and tissue transplantation, death and dying, and human subjects research.

Credit Hours: 3

The Disability Law course surveys the diverse subject of the rights and anti-discrimination protections afforded to persons with disabilities. Among the areas covered are employment, governmental programs and services, public accommodations (by private providers), educations, housing and health care. The course will emphasize federal law, with particular attention on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Credit Hours: 3

This course surveys the law, principles, and policy underlying the First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and religious liberty. Topics covered include content-based regulations of speech, commercial speech, government interference with the media and the press, freedom of association, the free exercise of religion, and the prohibition on laws respecting establishment of religion.

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course will introduce students to the phenomenon of globalization and its impact on cultures and legal systems using different countries and topics of examination as case studies. Students will learn about a particular country and a specific legal topic. This might include examination of a country's history, legal systems, culture, and languages. Students will travel to the country of examination with their instructor, typically for a period of one week, to continue their studies. Activities in the country of destination might include service learning and other experiential learning opportunities, lectures from foreign academics, business leaders, governmental officials, and attorneys, and visits to legal institutions.

Credit Hours: 1-3

This course introduces students to the law of white collar crime--offenses committed by individuals, institutions, and corporations, which cause economic or social harm to broad classes of victims. It focuses on conspiracy, mail and wire fraud, securities fraud, bribery, perjury, extortion, money laundering, and RICO violations, as well as procedural aspects of prosecuting white collar offenses, sentencing and forfeiture issues.

Credit Hours: 3

This course will examine international criminal law, in particular substantive crimes, tribunals for prosecution, and domestic and international jurisdiction over offenses. The course goal is for students to develop an understanding of the issues involved in balancing the prosecution of international crimes with the interests of state sovereignty and the primacy of domestic criminal law. Prerequisite: LAW 516 (Criminal Law).

Credit Hours: 3

Workers' Compensation will be taught primarily as a statutory subject examining the provisions and practice applications of the Illinois Workers' Compensation law. Students will study the basic tenets of worker compensation programs (e.g., the compensation principle; the relationship of fault and compensation, immunity and administrative rather than judicial adjudication).

Credit Hours: 3

This course will focus on current developments in International Law. This course will likely cover different topics in international law such as international environmental law, international health law, and international human rights law. Restricted to enrollment in the School of Law or consent of Professor.

Credit Hours: 1-3

This course allows the School of Law to offer specialized courses in response to new developments and current legal trends. The course is used by faculty to present specialized topics, such as "sentencing," "homeland security," current issues in health law, and "election law," that may be taught on an irregular basis. It allows the School of Law to supplement its usual offerings in a new area without committing to a permanent course.

Credit Hours: 1-3

For those graduate students who have not finished the M.L.S. degree program and who are in the process of working on completing their requirements. The student must have completed a minimum of required work before being eligible to register for this course. Restricted to admission to M.L.S. Program. Special approval needed from the Director of Graduate Legal Studies.

Credit Hours: 1

This course teaches enough Illinois civil procedure for a student to (1) get a passing score on the bar exam's Illinois civil procedure questions, and (2) handle ordinary civil suits in the Illinois courts, provided the student learns the local rules where he or she practices. The course materials include many past Illinois civil procedure bar exam problems, and the materials introduce students to Illinois civil procedure practice aids. Prerequisites: LAW 505 Civil Procedure I and LAW 535 Civil Procedure II.

Credit Hours: 2-3

This class will examine the principles of sentencing. Along with federal sentencing, this course will examine state sentencing systems and alternatives to sentencing.

Credit Hours: 3

A study of statutory and judicial protections for civil rights. Coverage includes the post-Civil War civil rights statutes, which have been the basis of much recent civil rights litigation, and more recent civil rights legislation.

Credit Hours: 2-3

Study of employment discrimination laws relating to race, color, religion, sex, and national origin; analysis of models of employment discrimination, use of statistical methodology, and burden of proof, sexual harassment and affirmative action issues; review of claims of employment discrimination arising under Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Equal Pay Act, Civil Rights Acts and Americans with Disabilities Act.

Credit Hours: 3

This course surveys the laws regulating the employer-employee relationship in non-unionized workplaces. Each stage in the employment relationship is considered with an emphasis on both common law and statutory provisions. Some specific topics include the employment at will doctrine, privacy issues in the workplace, wage and hour laws, regulation of employee benefits, and an introduction to anti-discrimination law.

Credit Hours: 3

This course will be an in-depth study of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"), its FCPA enforcement, FCPA compliance and related issues. The FCPA is an important law governing certain business relationships in foreign markets and is currently a top enforcement priority of the Department of Justice and Securities and Exchange Commission. Students will dissect the FCPA's new era and in doing so will confront the FCPA statutory text, legislative history, judicial decisions, enforcement agency guidance, and resolved FCPA enforcement actions.

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course, offered as a two-day workshop during the intersession, will help students build leadership skills and learn about the challenges facing women in the legal profession. The course explores gender and communication, negotiation, networking, professional appearance, and work-life balance. Students will actively participate through small group discussions, mock negotiations, simulated interviews, and writing assignments.

Credit Hours: 1

This course explores the intersection of the law and the arts, including how the law defines art, how the law protects art, and how the law encourages art. Most of the focus will be on the visual arts, but some cases and many examples will show how the concepts translate to the performing arts. The topics covered may include fakes and forgeries, stolen art, adverse possession of art, art auctions, museum trusts, free speech, copyright, artists' moral rights, and the government grants process. There will be a required field trip to the University Museum's archives and a written final exam.

Credit Hours: 2-3

This course surveys federal and state laws that protect intellectual property, in particular copyrights, patents, and trademarks. It also may address other rights such as trade secrets and rights of publicity. The course is intended to provide a background for non-specialists, while establishing a foundation for those who wish to explore the field further.

Credit Hours: 3

(Same as BA 537, ENGR 522) Course teaches substance & practice of commercializing products of scientific & technical research. Provides a basic understanding of intellectual property laws in the commercialization context & how those laws are applied in various fields of technology. Will learn how to value intangible assets, taking into account their commercial potential & legal status. Course will consider the legal & business issues surrounding marketing of products of research. Will prepare & negotiate license agreements. Will analyze legal & business issues surrounding whether & how to enforce intellectual property rights.

Credit Hours: 3

This course examines the federal and state laws that protect consumers and businesses from deception. The doctrines covered will include trademark, trade dress, false advertising, and commercial disparagement. In addition, the course will cover related topics such as Internet domain names, trademark dilution, misappropriation, and right of publicity. Part of the class will be devoted to the basic tools and practice skills needed to address trademark and unfair competition issues. The course will cover such topics as counseling clients on trademark selection, review the content of advertising copy, preparing and responding to cease and desist demands, and the use of consumer surveys.

Credit Hours: 3

Includes aspects of tort law that are either covered briefly or not covered at all in the first-year course, such as nuisance, defamation, privacy, misrepresentation, civil rights, misuse of legal procedure, interference with relationships, and substitutes for tort law (compensation systems).

Credit Hours: 2-3

The purpose of the course is to further develop and enhance trial advocacy skills. Using complex cases, students will increase their familiarity with the rules of evidence and trial practice with particular emphasis on the use of expert testimony and courtroom technology. Students, working in teams of two, will develop a case from client interview through a trial by jury. Prerequisites: Law 536 and Law 537. Graded S/U.

Credit Hours: 3-4

Covers brief writing and oral argument. It serves two purposes: (1) providing students an opportunity to enhance their persuasive advocacy skills without participating on competition teams, and (2) providing means to select members of the competition moot court teams. Required for students who wish to participate in any interschool appellate moot court competition. Students participate in an oral advocacy competition. Prerequisite: Law 507A (Lawyering Skills I: Legal Research), Law 510A (Lawyering Skills I: Legal Writing), Law 507B (Lawyering Skills II: Legal Research), Law 510B (Lawyering Skills II: Legal Writing) [Prior to Fall 2020: Law 503A (Lawyering Skills I), Law 504A (Lawyering Skills II)].

Credit Hours: 3

This course will introduce and reinforce bar examination study and test taking skills. It will provide in-depth exploration of each part of the bar exam (multiple choice (MBE), essay (MEE) and multi state performance exam (MPT)) and build students' skills regarding each part of the exam. In addition, the course will devote significant time to skills associated with analyzing, studying and memorizing the substantive information. A hallmark of this course will be intensive writing and feedback components. This course will provide at risk students with the opportunity to hone the skills necessary for effective bar exam study, passing the bar exam and eventual success as a practicing attorney. Prerequisite: Law 507A, Law 510A, Law 507B, Law 510B. [Prior to Fall 2020: Law 503A, Law 504A].

Credit Hours: 2-3

The course explores negotiation, mediation, and arbitration as ways of resolving legal conflicts outside the litigation process. It focuses on the role of the attorney who counsels clients about ADR and who represents clients in some ADR process. Students study the theory behind each process, and the law and ethical standards governing each. It includes simulated exercises in mediation and negotiation. Suggested second-year course.

Credit Hours: 3

This basic negotiation course has two goals. The first is to introduce students to the theories, terminology, and research related to negotiation; this goal is accomplished through study and classroom discussion of these topics. The second is to help students develop actual negotiating skills; this goal is accomplished by simulations, actual negotiation, and critical feedback.

Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed primarily for the prospective environmental litigator, but is also valuable for the prospective business counselor. Topics include enforcement of environmental laws and regulations, citizen suits, toxic torts, natural resource damage litigation, and judicial review of environmental agency actions. Emphasis is on both the substance of laws at issue, and the skills necessary to litigate environmental issues successfully. Prerequisite: LAW 548 (Environmental Law).

Credit Hours: 3

The Natural Resources Law Course will explore aspects of the law relating to several natural resources from an energy perspective. Water, coal, oil, and natural gas will be dealt with in this context. The course will also deal with nuclear energy and energy used for transportation. Other topics will be covered if time permits.

Credit Hours: 3

Students enrolled in the SIU Law Academic Honors Program will complete a substantial, self-directed project related to a selected area of legal study or practice. Students will create a defined end result or work product of professional quality. Examples of qualifying projects could include independent study projects, substantial pro bono legal projects, or significant practical legal skills training projects that produce a significant legal academic writing, a community resource program or guide related to the law, or a substantially equivalent end product. Student projects will be supervised by a faculty advisor or a designated attorney and course credit will be awarded by the program Chair/s. In addition to completing a project, students will be required to present their work at an annual capstone project forum held at the law school or at an equivalent forum. Prerequisite: Admitted to the SIU Law Academic Honors Program.

Credit Hours: 1

Focuses on making of health policy through federal and state legislative and administrative process. Students research and develop a legislative proposal and then undertake efforts to have it introduced in the Illinois General Assembly. Designed for senior writing credit. Prerequisite or co-requisite for 662: one from Law 597 (Medical Malpractice), Law 598 (Bioethics), Law 596 (Health Policy Law), or Law 668 (Public Health Law).

Credit Hours: 3

The laws and regulations affecting the everyday practice of health care professionals are numerous and complex. It is important that attorneys who represent health care professionals have a solid foundation in this area of the law. This course will examine state and federal laws and regulations impacting the practice of health care professionals with a particular focus on laws impacting the quality and costs of health care services.

Credit Hours: 3

This course will provide an overview of basic public health law principles, examined in such contexts as bioterrorism, immunization, mandatory screening of particular population groups, and medical surveillance. Discussion of these and other issues will focus on the extent and limits of government's legal authority to act, as well as applicable policy and ethical considerations.

Credit Hours: 3

Students serve as student law clerks for judges in locations approved by the professor. Student clerks observe court proceedings, do research and writing and take part in all or most activities in Judge's chambers. Prerequisite: Completion of first year of law study and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.600 provided, however, that students with a grade point average below 2.600 may be enrolled with the approval of the Faculty Supervisor after the Faculty Supervisor has consulted with the student and the proposed judicial supervision to determine if the placement would be appropriate. Graded S+/S/S-/U.

Credit Hours: 2-6

Students under attorney supervision provide civil legal representation to those more than 60 years of age. Students practice legal skills such as case management, legal drafting, client interviewing, presenting cases in court, etc. Students have their own case files and clients. Prerequisite: Completion of first year of law study. Students who wish to be "711" eligible must have completed 45 hours and be in good academic standing. Graded S+/S/S-/U.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Students represent victims of domestic violence. Working under supervision of an attorney, students practice legal skills such as client interviewing, court representation, legal drafting, etc. Students learn about the Illinois Domestic Violence Act and its enforcement. Prerequisite: Completion of first year of law study. Students who wish to be "711" eligible must have completed 45 hours and be in good academic standing. Graded S+/S/S-/U.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Students work in publicly-funded law offices, non-profit agencies or corporations. Common placements include prosecutors' or defenders' offices, legal services offices, government offices with legal departments, etc. Sites must be approved. Prerequisite: Completion of first year of law study and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.600. Students who wish to be "711" eligible must have completed 45 hours and be in good academic standing. Graded S+/S/S-/U.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Introduces students to legal practice utilizing legal services projects and external placements. Students handle all aspects of office, trial and appellate practice, including interviewing, preparation of legal memoranda, briefs, court documents, court appearances, and negotiating settlements. Prerequisites: 6 hours of Law 671 (Alternative Dispute Resolution Clinic), Law 672 (Judicial Extern Clinic), Law 673 (Civil Practice Clinic), Law 674 (Domestic Violence Clinic), or Law 675 (Public Interest Externship), restricted to seniors who are "711" eligible (must have completed 45 hours). Graded S+/S/S-/U.

Credit Hours: 1-3

Working under the supervision of a faculty member/attorney who is appointed by the circuit court as Guardian ad Litem in juvenile abuse, neglect or dependency cases, students will practice legal skills such as client interviewing, interviewing of professional juvenile service providers, court representation, legal drafting, etc. Students learn about the Illinois Juvenile Courts Act and its enforcement as well as the role the Guardian ad Litem plays in the Juvenile Court system. Prerequisite: Completion of first year of law study. Students who wish to be "711" eligible must have completed 45 hours and be in good academic standing. Graded S+/S/S-/U.

Credit Hours: 1-6

Students under attorney supervision provide civil legal representation of veterans including appeal of denied VA benefits, limited discharge upgrade assistance, family law, consumer, guardianship, and simple estate planning. Students practice legal skills such as case management, legal drafting, client interviewing, presenting cases in court, etc. Students have their own case files and clients. Students who wish to be "711" eligible must have completed 45 hours and be in good academic standing. Prerequisite: Completion of first year of law study and instructor approval. Graded S+/S/S-/U.

Credit Hours: 1-3

Designates approved student enrollment at non-SIUC law school in a cooperative visiting program. Restricted to enrollment in the School of Law; approval of Associate Dean.

Credit Hours: 1-18