M.S.L. Courses
Master of Studies in Law students have the opportunity to take a wide range of course at the law school.
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Course Description
This seminar will look at selected topics of free speech and religion that are not ordinarily covered (or covered in any depth) in the constitutional law survey course. Topics may include: student speech, hate speech, compelled speech, the constitutionality of campaign finance restrictions, comparative international protections for religious freedom (e.g., restrictions on headscarves and Scientology), and protection for sacred sites. Students will select three or four of these topics to write short (5+ page) papers and lead discussion. Satisfactory completion of these papers will fulfill the writing requirement.
Course Type
SeminarCourse Credits
2.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Jared A. GoldsteinG
This course meets on a Friday and Saturday two separate weeks
Course Description
Genocide in the 20th Century: In this course, which meets on Friday and Saturday on two separate weeks, Professor Noone explores the phenomenon of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes and the legal instruments available to identify and punish atrocity crimes.
Course Type
SeminarCourse Credits
1.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Gregory P. NooneH
Course Description
This course will provide an overview of the complex laws, regulations and underlying policies that govern healthcare delivery. Issues to be examined include medical liability, state and federal regulatory requirements, Medicare and Medicaid, health insurance and payment systems, antitrust considerations, non-profit governance and tax issues, quality and bioethics.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
2.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawI
Course Description
This course provides a survey of U.S. immigration law. The course will review the constitutional basis for regulating immigration into the United States, and, to some extent, the constitutional rights of noncitizens in the country; the contours of the immigration bureaucracy, including the roles played by various federal agencies in immigration decisions; the admission of nonimmigrants (i.e., temporary visitors) and immigrants into the U.S.; the deportation and exclusion of nonimmigrants and immigrants; refugee and asylum law; and citizenship and naturalization.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Peter S. MarguliesCourse Description
This course will focus on the types of insurance most likely to be encountered in private practice: property and casualty (liability) insurance. Topics covered will include the theory and basic concepts of insurance; the insurance contract and principles of interpretation; application, underwriting, and risk analysis concepts; insurance contract formation and carrier issues/responses; types and structure of typical property and casualty policies to include policy declarations, definitions of insureds, insuring clauses, coverages, exclusions, and limitations; duties imposed on insurance carriers and insureds; typical policy conditions and application; statutory requirements and policies; first and third party claim handling processes; duty to defend and duty to indemnify; fair claim handling practice requirements and extra-contractual liability; insurance fraud issues, and; insurance regulation.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This course offers a broad survey of intellectual property law. The course focuses on the rights and obligations of those who possess and use property in the form of patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Depending on time constraints, the course also touches on subsidiary areas, such as trade secrets, the rights of publicity, and unfair competition. International as well as federal and state controls and policies will be studied.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
2.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This course is designed to introduce students to fundamental legal problems encountered by U.S. enterprises engaged in international business. The course will focus on some major legal problems encountered in commercial and financial business ventures that cross national borders, analyzing basic international business transactions and the effects of U.S. law, specific foreign law, and treaties on the conduct of the parties involved. Topics include an introduction to: commercial law, formation of contracts, choice of law, international sale of goods (including the CISG), letters of credit, foreign direct investment, the organization and operations of international (World Trade Organization) and regional trade institutions (European Union), international dispute resolution, and corporate social responsibility. The goal of the course is for students to develop an understanding of the laws applicable to private international transactions and an awareness of the risks inherent in doing business in or with other countries and their nationals.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Louise Ellen TeitzCourse Description
This basic course introduces students to the central topics, ideas and principles of present-day public international law. It will also cover the judicial and other structures including the United Nations, which are central to the determination and enforcement of this legal regime.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This skills course develops the craft of the lawyer in client interviewing and counseling. The course provides a theoretical framework for and experience with simulated interviewing and counseling in the legal setting. Skills are introduced and honed through lecture, demonstrations, discussion, role playing, simulations, practical exercises and critiques.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
2.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
1.0Course Degree
Master of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Raquel M. OrtizCourse Description
In this course, students will learn the different types of legal authority and their sources, how to develop effective and efficient legal research strategies using online legal research databases, and how to locate and apply legal citation rules to a variety of legal authorities. There will be an emphasis on research strategy and process. Students will complete exercises in an online class using a workshop format. Assignments will consist of problem sets covering topics and resources covered in the course materials and class.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
1.0Course Degree
Master of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Raquel M. OrtizCourse Description
Introduction to the Study of Law
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Master of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Colleen A. BrownJ
Course Description
This course will examine both the theory and practice of juvenile justice. After exploring the historical foundations of juvenile law, we will study several issues in current practice, including: status offenses and control of juveniles in schools and public places; the application of criminal procedure to juveniles in such areas as search and seizure, police interrogations, and pre-trial detention; juvenile court jurisdiction and the decision whether to prosecute as an adult or a child; trial rights and sentencing dispositions. We will also discuss some recent developments in juvenile law practice and consider the future of juvenile justice policy.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Emily J. SackL
Course Description
This course surveys the federal regulation of the union-management relationship in the private sector. The principle focus of the course is the National Labor Relations Act. The course will examine the establishment of the collective bargaining relationship, the negotiation of the collective agreement, unfair labor practice proceedings, economic pressure tactics, the enforcement of the collective agreement, and the duty of fair representation.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This course explores the relatively evolving field of land use law, seeking to understand the theoretical basis for such regulation, the effects (intended, unintended or perhaps unconsciously intended) of such regulation and the practicalities of land use and development within the legal framework. Among the major issues this course will examine are the law of zoning, the constitutional constraints on land use regulation, the establishment and enforcement of subdivision and land development controls, and other development regulations. The course will examine several current topics in land use regulation, including climate change, environmental regulations, smart growth, historic preservation and renewable energy. Students will approach the course material from both theoretical and practical vantage points, and will be required to conduct research on how land use regulations are implemented in "real world" situations.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
The two professions of law and medicine intersect in many parts of American society. Issues such as expert testimony, the doctor-patient relationship, malpractice, and ethical issues, including the right to die, and their legal ramifications will be reviewed.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This course will deal with legal issues resulting from efforts to deal with maritime piracy, and legal issues raised by the law, both domestic and international piracy. Students will write a significant, original paper and present their findings to the class. Readings will be from materials prepared by the instructor.
Course Type
SeminarCourse Credits
2.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Jonathan M. GutoffMarine Affairs Institute
Course Description
This course reviews the basic principles of International law, both customary and treaty-based, that apply to the territorial sea, the high seas, continental shelf, seabed, and ocean floor. The course analyzes the allocation of jurisdictional powers among individual states and the international community over the various maritime zones involved; the use and management of ocean resources, such as regional and global fisheries regimes and seabed mining; marine environmental protection and pollution control; military uses of the ocean; and freedom of navigation.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
3.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Lauren BeagenThis course meets for 6 weeks
Course Description
Law Office Management is a practical course to explore starting, running, and growing a law practice. Students will create a business plan and draft various documents essential to any law practice. A broad range of practice management topics will be discussed, including the choice of entity, practice specialization, business development, marketing, and various ethical issues.
Course Type
SeminarCourse Credits
1.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawFaculty Associated
Anthony R. LeoneCourse Description
This class will focus on lease agreements between landlords and tenants of commercial real estate, including leases for office space, for retail stores, and for industrial/manufacturing property. Almost every business will be a party to a commercial real estate lease agreement, either as landlord or tenant, at some point in the life of that business. Knowledge of commercial real estate leases is an essential skill for real estate lawyers, as well as corporate lawyers. Litigators will also need to know the fundamentals of commercial real estate leases because these agreements often result in disputes and lawsuits. This class will also explore some of the alternative uses for leases, such as leases being used as financing alternatives. Class sessions will be devoted to section-by-section analysis of leases followed by student exercises to draft and revision of these documents.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
2.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
2.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This skills course trains students in the traditional methods of case and statutory analysis, legal research and writing. The skills are developed through graded exercises, library research, and written work. Students prepare a client opinion letter and two office memoranda.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
2.5Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This skills course complements Legal Methods I. The emphasis is on the development of advocacy skills through problem analysis, legal research, the writing of an appellate brief and the presentation of oral argument. Students are trained in computer-aided legal research.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
2.5Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Description
This course is designed to provide in-depth instruction in legal writing and analysis, and to help prepare students for legal practice. Students will complete a series of in-class and take-home exercises and will receive feedback on their writing throughout the semester. In addition, students will meet individually with their professor to discuss assignments, and to enhance their writing and analytical skills.
Course Type
Core CourseCourse Credits
2.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawPrerequisite
LAW.611 – Legal Practice IICourse Description
Our lives are bordered by statutes. This course will teach the fundamentals of enacting statutes from policy concept to enacted legislation at the State level. Topics to be covered include bill and resolution drafting; effective Committee presentations; ethical and regulatory reporting issues; and campaign finance. Students will draft bills, advocacy pieces to legislators, reports to clients, and grassroots issue coordination plans.
Course Type
ElectiveCourse Credits
2.0Course Degree
Juris DoctorMaster of Studies in LawCourse Types
We have classified RWU Law classes under the following headers. One of the following course types will be attached to each course which will allow students to narrow down their search while looking for classes.
Core Course
Students in the first and second year are required to take classes covering the following aspects of the law—contracts, torts, property, criminal law, civil procedure, and constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility. Along with these aspects, the core curriculum will develop legal reasoning skills.
Elective
After finishing the core curriculum the remaining coursework toward the degree is completed through upper level elective courses. Students can choose courses that peak their interests or courses that go along with the track they are following.
Seminar
Seminars are classes where teachers and small groups of students focus on a specific topic and the students complete a substantial research paper.
Clinics/Externships
Inhouse Clinics and Clinical Externships legal education is law school training in which students participate in client representation under the supervision of a practicing attorney or law professor. RWU Law's Clinical Programs offer unique and effective learning opportunities and the opportunity for practical experience while still in law school.