Animals in the Law

Animals in the Law - Professor David B. Rosengard

Course Number: LAW-449
Course Type: Foundational
Credits: 3
Enrollment Limit: Determined by the Registrar
Description: Animals and the legal implications of their unique nature are present throughout the law. As such, this course takes a horizontal approach to exploring animal law: moving through each of the legal field’s classic practice areas, identifying and discussing key animal law concepts in each. In this manner, students will be provided with a comprehensive introduction to animal law as a field within the United States’ legal community, methods of integrating animal law into other areas of legal practice and analysis, and a broad foundation upon which to build deeper animal law study, should they so choose.

Along the way, students can expect to explore areas including legal history, common law, statutory law, constitutional law, administrative law, torts, contracts, family law, and criminal law, at state and federal levels. In doing so, the course will illuminate the ways that animals are positioned within the legal system, and highlight key developments in the field of modern animal law.
Prerequisite: none
Evaluation Method: Participation, short assignments, final paper or final exam
Capstone: No
WIE: No

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.