| Academic Course Descriptions – J.D. Elective Courses |
|
Up to six (6) hours of LL.M. courses can be taken as elective courses in the J.D. programs. Additionally, from time to time, and on an as-needed basis, the Aristotle University College of Law may offer the following courses as Electives:
Administrative Law (3 units) This class covers the procedures and the policies affecting state and federal administrative agencies, and is an introduction to the law creating, structuring, empowering, and limiting administrative agencies, with an emphasis on the principles common to all administrative agency action. Topics include administrative procedure, the scope of judicial review of administrative action and the relationship of administrative agencies to the political branches of government. Agency and Partnership (3 units) The nature of the principal-agent relationship, including tort and contract liabilities, the principles and problems of partnerships, respondent superior, vicarious liability of joint enterprises and ventures, authority and ratification, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, and other unincorporated businesses. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) (2 units) This course involves a study of arbitration and mediation as means of resolving disputes. Students in ADR learn concepts in alternative dispute resolution processes, an initial grounding in negotiation theory and practice, and the role of the advocate in negotiating a settlement. Bankruptcy (3 units) This study of bankruptcy concerns the study of the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, its predecessor acts, other state and federal laws relating to the rights and remedies of creditors and debtors. Elder Law Seminar (2 units) The course covers the legal issues that confront the elderly population such as including health care matters for the elderly, pension and retirement benefit plans, estate planning, and matters relating to the interests of family members. Employment Law (2 units) The study of employment law includes consideration of the statutes, regulations, and cases dealing with a number of legal rights and concerns of employees and employers. Topic areas commonly considered include: worker’s compensation law; labor standards legislation (wage-and-hour law; Fair Labor Standards Act–FLSA; public contract “prevailing wage” requirements, etc.); health and-safety laws (e.g., Occupational Safety and Health Act–OSHA); pension-protection laws (e.g., Employee Retirement Income Security Act–ERISA); wrongful discharge and at-will employment. Additional topics covered include race, gender, and age discrimination, sexual harassment, and discrimination against persons with disabilities. Entertainment Law (2 units) This course considers the legal considerations that affect the publishing, music, recording, live theater, motion picture, and television industries; special emphasis on laws regarding defamation, right of privacy and publicity, copyright, and unfair competition. Environmental Law (2 units) The study of environmental law considers and analyses applicable federal and state statutes and includes topic discussion of nuisance theory, intergovernmental relations, hazardous and solid waste control, wetlands protection, clean air and water regulation, noise pollution abatement; radioactive emission; National Environmental Policy Act; significant land planning legislation; and the interrelation between federal and state legislation and areas of responsibility. Health Law Seminar (3 units) This course examines important legal issues in health care such as legal aspects of the doctor-patient relationship, informed consent, duty to treat, confidentiality, medical malpractice liability, insurance coverage, managed care regulation, Medicare/Medicaid reform, concepts of negligence, expert testimony, regulation of heathcare practices, genetic engineering, definitions of death, euthanasia, abortion, medical experimentation, and physician-assisted suicide. Immigration Law (2 units) A study of the immigration, nationality, and naturalization laws of the United States. The topics discussed are the immigrant selection system, issuance of immigrant and non-immigrant visas, admissions categories and procedures, grounds for inadmissibility and relief therefrom, grounds for removal and forms of relief from removal, adjustment of status, refugees and asylum status and procedure, administrative procedures, and administrative and judicial review and the constitutional rights of aliens, illegal aliens, Intellectual Property Law (3 units) Intellectual Property (IP) law concerns the protection of intangible creations of the mind. Such creations include inventions, discoveries, trade secrets, business concepts, artistic works, computer software, brand names, product designs, and celebrity images/personae. This course will introduce students to the primary legal systems that protect IP (i.e., patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret law) and the competing policies underlying these laws. Independent Study (2-6 units) Independent study is available to any law student upon approval of the Dean. Independent study programs typically include scholarly research/writing projects. A maximum of 3 units per semester is allowed. A maximum of six (6) units of independent study may be applied towards the student’s total units required for graduation. Students are required to spend 45 hours of research/writing work per one unit of academic credit. International Human Rights Law (3 units) This course explores the development of human rights law and the legal foundations, issues, and procedures for the advancement of human rights. Additionally, this course will consider aspects of the protection and promotion of human rights, with a special emphasis on the structures, standards and procedures developed to achieve human rights goals. This course will consider civil and political rights as well as economic, social, and cultural rights. The course will also analyze approaches to prosecute and remedy human rights violations and the role of non-governmental organizations in fact-finding and publicizing human rights violations. International Law (3 units) This course will study the law of nations ("public international law"), defining legal rights and duties among nation states and international organizations. Topics include the structure of the international systems (e.g., United Nations, etc.), the nature and sources of international law (e.g., treaties and customary law), the application of international law in the domestic courts, international dispute resolution mechanisms, rules governing statehood, the jurisdiction of states to make, enforce and apply law affecting international interests, international human rights, law of the sea, and rules governing war and the use of force. The system of norms, rules, institutions, and procedures that regulates the interaction between states and between states and individuals will be studied. Legal Externship Program (2,3 units) Legal externships are intended to provide law students with actual experience in governmental agencies, courts, public interest organizations, private law practices, and public services, upon approval from the Dean of Students. Psychology and the Law (2 units ) This course explores the relationship between psychology and the law in trying to understand and properly interpret human behavior. Contemporary topics include personal responsibility for wrongful acts, the legal concept of competence and incompetence, treatment of the mentally ill, the rights of the mentally ill, and voluntary and involuntary commitment. Workers’ Compensation (2 units) This course deals with the state laws of various jurisdictions related to injuries sustained in the work setting. Topics include strict liability, availability of medical care and rehabilitation services and other available remedies. |