Graduate Studies Courses
Advanced Topics in Intellectual Property Law (2 or 3 cr.) D/N 636 examines specialized topics of intellectual property law, such as Internet applications, recent legislation, music issues, the intellectual property law of other countries, and other topics not ordinarily encompassed in depth by other courses. Prerequisites will vary according to the subject of the course as announced. In the Fall 2017 Semester, the course will cover Chinese Intellectual Property Law.
Contract Law for LL.M. Students (2 cr.) D/N 535 introduces student to the sources of basic principles of contract law in the United States. The course will study contract formation, performance, breach, and available remedies under the common law, with references to parallel provisions in Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Required in the first semester of enrollment for all foreign-trained LL.M. students who matriculate in the fall semester and may be taken as an elective in a subsequent semester for students who matriculate in the spring semester.
Introduction to the American Legal System (2 cr.) D/N 500 introduces LL.M. students to the judicial function in tripartite government (judicial independence and judicial review of legislative and executive authority), the structure of American judicial systems (organization and functions of trial and appellate courts), the role of the federal courts in the federal system (subject matter jurisdiction and allocation of power), the meaning and use of judicial precedent, and the work of lawyers in an adversary system. J.D. students shall not be permitted to enroll. Required in the first semester of enrollment for all students in the ALFL track.
Legal Research for LL.M. Students (1 cr.) D/N 517 provides students the opportunity to learn the mechanics and search strategies of legal research in order that they may successfully complete research paper assignments in other law courses. Students will be evaluated in this course on an S/F basis. J.D. students shall not be permitted to enroll. Required in the first semester of enrollment for all foreign-trained LL.M. students.
LL.M. Legal Writing and Analysis I (1 cr.) D/N 514 provides students with the basic skills needed to analyze a legal problem within a common law system and to document that analysis in the manner expected by attorneys and courts in the United States. The student-faculty ratio for each section shall be no more than 12:1. Required in the first semester of enrollment for all foreign-trained LL.M. students.
LL.M. Legal Writing and Analysis II (1 cr.) D/N 515 provides students with instruction on legal writing and analysis beyond that offered in the first course. This course is intended for LL.M. students who want to achieve an elevated level of skill by engaging more complicated legal problems than in the introductory course. Prerequisite: LL.M. Legal Writing and Analysis I. Recommended co-requisite: Contract Law for LL.M. Students or Tort Law for LL.M. Students.
LL.M. Thesis Organization () D525 consists of a classroom component, addressing issues such as selection of a topic and supervisor, development of a problem statement, and methods of research and analysis. It is designed primarily for Master students who are required to write a thesis as part of their degree requirements. Such students are required to enroll in this course prior to the semester in which their thesis is submitted. Students will be evaluated in this course on an S/F basis.
Seminar in American Legal History (2 cr.) D/N 850 At the option of the instructor, this class will provide a survey of American legal history, or as an alternative, will explore a selected American legal history period or subject. Topics might include, but are not limited to, criminal justice, family law, Indiana legal history, legal profession, and legal theory. In the Fall of 2017 the seminar will cover the drafting and ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment, along with some of the major Supreme Court cases interpreting those events.
Topics in Health Law (2 or 3 cr.) D/N 763 examines specialized topics related to health law that are not addressed in depth by other courses. In Fall 2017, using emerging issues in health care, public health, and environmental health law as modes of analysis, this course will introduce students to the theory, methodology, and evaluation of public policy development. Students will explore these issues via case studies and on-site learning opportunities related to issues such as the legalization of medical marijuana, syringe exchange programs, and drinking water quality. Students will also apply methods for evaluating law and policy to individual research topics via policy briefs or the option to prepare a longer paper to fulfill the J.D. Advanced Research and Writing requirement.
Tort Law for LL.M. Students (2 cr.) D/N 536 introduces students to basic principles of tort law in the United States. The course will study sources of duties, breach, defenses, and available remedies under the laws of international torts, negligence, and products liability. Required in the first semester of enrollment for all foreign-trained LL.M. students who matriculate in the spring semester and may be taken as an elective in a subsequent semester for students who matriculate in the fall semester.
U.S. Constitutional Law for LL.M. Students (2 cr.) D/N 615 provides an introductory level survey of U.S. constitutional law. the course includes discussions of the impact of the Constitution on fundamental concepts of criminal law (Amendments IV, V, VI, and VII), of civil law (Amendments I and XIV), and of powers and limits on the powers of branches of the national government (supremacy clause, enumerated powers, Amendment X). Enrollment is limited to LL.M. students who obtained their law degree outside the United States.