Advanced Animal Law Seminar (549 SM)

Hankin
2 hours
Generally offered every Spring
Spring 2013: Tuesdays, 10 am - 12 pm
* Limit: 20 students
** Recommended prerequisite - Animal Law 449 (offered each fall)
***With professor permission, meets the Capstone or WIE writing requirement

The field of animal law has grown rapidly in recent years and has become increasingly more interdisciplinary in scope and content. Whether it be anti-cruelty statutes, civil litigation, constitutional questions relating to standing, comparative international law, farmed animal issues or property law, the ability to understand and apply animal law concepts is becoming more and more important. Throughout the semester, therefore, we will explore the latest cases, legislation and legal theories developing in animal law and explore how they intersect with other areas of legal academic study and practice. As a class, we will choose, and keep a tight focus on, just a few animal law issues to allow a greater depth of learning and understanding in those select areas. As the field continues to develop, the “hot” legal issues may, and probably will, shift. The seminar will be structured in such a way that students will have the opportunity to discuss and learn about these newer developments.

Students will work in teams to lead classroom discussion and individually are required to complete a research paper and make an oral presentation on an emerging topic in animal law to be mutually agreed upon with the instructor. Generally speaking, this paper can be used to satisfy the school’s Capstone or WIE writing requirements and can apply to the Environmental Law Certificate. Successful completion of the fall Animal Law class is recommended but not required.

• The American Bar Association accreditation standards require students to regularly attend the courses in which they are registered. Lewis & Clark expects students to attend classes regularly and to prepare for classes conscientiously. Specific attendance requirements may vary from course to course. Any attendance guidelines for a given class must be provided to students in a syllabus or other written document at the start of the semester. Sanctions (e.g., required withdrawal from the course, grade adjustment, and/or a failing grade) will be imposed for poor attendance.