College of Law Course Catalog
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Number | Title |
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981 |
Critical Race Theory Mini-Seminar Credits: 1 Description: This course will introduce students to Critical Race Theory (CRT), a set of ideas and scholarly practices that has its origins in law schools in the 1970s. Broadly speaking, CRT scholars and activists study and seek to transform relationships among race, racism and power. Unlike traditional civil rights discourse and its incremental approach to progress, CRT questions premises like the existence of neutral principles of constitutional law. It has been an influential movement in law and other fields (including education), but it has always been controversial. We will study some of the foundational texts of the movement and read some scholarship by current CRT-oriented academics. There will be no tests, quizzes, or papers. In order to foster conversation, enrollment will be limited. The course is worth one credit and students will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. Successful completion of the course will not qualify a student for upper-level writing credit. This course is offered every semester. |
980 |
Credits: 1 Description: This course will introduce students to the history of race and slavery in the United States, so that we can begin to better appreciate the forces that have shaped present-day law and society. Texts for study will include general interest books, multi-media journalism, and film documentary. There will be no tests, quizzes or papers. In order to foster conversation, enrollment will be limited. The course is worth one credit and students will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. Successful completion of the course will not qualify a student for upper-level writing credit. This course is offered every semester. |
900 - 936 |
Description: Each semester the faculty offers a variety of seminars on different topics of interest. Typically three seminars are offered each semester. Recent seminar topics have included:
This course is offered every semester. |
881 |
Credits: 4 Description: The Prisoners' Rights Project is a two-semester experiential learning course in which third-year law students will be the lead counsel on constitutional tort claims brought by federal prisoners. Students, typically working in pairs, will handle all aspects of the matters, from client interviewing to pretrial discovery to the trials. Students will be required to possess a 711 license and will be guided through the process by a faculty member who is an experienced practitioner in the field. A two-semester commitment is required, but a one-semester commitment for a summer session may be allowed in appropriate circumstances. Students will receive four hours of course credit each semester. Prerequisites: Professional Responsibility (643), Introduction to Lawyering Skills (720) and Prisoners' Rights Project (880). It is recommended that students take Evidence (655) prior to enrolling in the Prisoners' Rights Project. This course is offered every semester. |
880 |
Credits: 4 Description: The Prisoners' Rights Project is a two-semester experiential learning course in which third-year law students will be the lead counsel on constitutional tort claims brought by federal prisoners. Students, typically working in pairs, will handle all aspects of the matters, from client interviewing to pretrial discovery to the trials. Students will be required to possess a 711 license and will be guided through the process by a faculty member who is an experienced practitioner in the field. A two-semester commitment is required, but a one-semester commitment for a summer session may be allowed in appropriate circumstances. Students will receive four hours of course credit each semester. Prerequisites: Professional Responsibility (643); Introduction to Lawyering Skills (720). It is recommended that students take Evidence (655) prior to enrolling in the Prisoners' Rights Project. This course is offered every semester. |
850, 851, 852, 853, 854, 855, 856, 857, 858 |
Credits: 4 Description: The classroom component of any externship offering a classroom component.
Prerequisites for all externships: Professional Responsibility (643) and Introduction to Lawyering Skills (720). In addition the following are recommended for Law 850, Criminal Law Externship: Criminal Procedure: Police Investigation (601), Criminal Procedure: Adjudication (602), Evidence (655) and Trial Advocacy (725). This course is offered every semester. |
830 |
Business Law Innovation Clinic Credits: 4 Description: The Business Law Innovation Clinic provides students with experience handling a variety of business law matters on behalf of non-profit entities, underserved entrepreneurs, and small businesses in De Kalb County and the surrounding areas. Students gain transactional experience and develop interviewing, client counseling, client development skills, and relationship-building habits with clients, legal research and writing skills by drafting documents such as incorporation documents, bylaws, and a broad range of agreements. Students also gain experience and develop negotiation skills by representing clients in business law matters, including Business Enterprise Certifications and trademark registration. Students will learn the habits and skills of successful private practice, such as time management, timekeeping, organization, attention to detail, and developing and managing strong client relationships. Students are expected to attend a one-day clinic orientation, participate in a seminar that meets once a week for one hour and fifty minutes, and spend a minimum of twelve hours working on client-related matters which includes working a minimum of eight hours at the clinic space in Swen Parson Hall each week. Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Professional Responsibility (643) and Introduction to Lawyering Skills (720) must be taken prior to or during the same semester as enrollment in the Business Law Innovation Clinic. Business Associations I (640) must be taken prior to or during the same semester as enrollment in the Business Law Innovation Clinic or students must have permission of the instructor to enroll in the Business Law Innovation Clinic. This course is offered every semester. |
815 |
Credits: 4 Description: The Health Advocacy Clinic is a medical-legal partnership between NIU Law, Aunt Martha’s Health Center and Hesed House, the second largest homeless shelter in Illinois. The clinic is housed in Aurora, IL at Hesed House. Law students participating in the clinic provide free legal assistance to low-income patients of Aunt Martha’s by conducting intakes, interviewing clients, developing case strategies, conducting research, preparing documentation and representing clients during administrative hearings. Case subject matters focus on achieving income stability through public benefits such as Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and food stamps. Law students collaborate with medical providers and social workers to resolve some of the legal barriers that have a profoundly negative impact on health. Students are expected to complete weekly on-site office hours in Aurora as well as participate in a weekly seminar. Prerequisite/Co-requisite: Professional Responsibility (643) must be taken prior to or during the same semester as the Health Advocacy Clinic. This course is offered every year. |
810 |
Credits: 4 Description: Students in the Criminal Defense Clinic represent adults charged with criminal offenses. The offenses will typically be misdemeanor offenses, major traffic offenses and low level felony offenses. In addition, the clinic represents individuals in petitioning for removal from the sex offender registry as a result of juvenile sex offense adjudications. The clinic provides a holistic approach to representation in addressing underlying causes of criminal behavior such as mental health or substance abuse issues. Students are expected to devote a significant number of hours each week to the practice experience, as determined by the clinic director. Additionally, students participate in a classroom seminar taught by a member of the clinical faculty. The classroom seminar provides an in-depth discussion of legal theory and doctrine, and legal procedure in the context of students’ cases as well as examining systemic issues in criminal justice. Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Professional Responsibility (643) and Introduction to Lawyering Skills (720) must be taken prior to or during the same semester as the Criminal Defense Clinic. It is recommended that students take Criminal Procedure: Police Investigation (601), Criminal Procedure: Adjudication (602), Evidence (655), and Trial Advocacy (725) prior to enrolling in the Criminal Defense Clinic.This course is offered every semester. |
805 |
Credits: 4 Description: The Civil Justice Clinic provides students with experience handling a variety of civil legal matters on behalf of low-income senior citizens and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and elder abuse in Winnebago County, Illinois. Students gain transactional experience and develop interviewing, client counseling, fact investigation, legal research and writing skills by drafting estate planning documents such as wills and powers of attorney. Students gain litigation experience and develop trial preparation, negotiation and oral advocacy skills by representing clients in civil matters related to orders of protection, family law, guardianships, small claims and probate issues. Students are expected to attend a one-day clinic orientation, participate in a seminar that meets once a week for one hour and fifty minutes, and spend a minimum of twelve hours each week working on client related matters which includes working a minimum of eight hours at the Zeke Giorgi Legal Clinic in Rockford each week. Prerequisites/Co-requisites: Professional Responsibility (643) and Introduction to Lawyering Skills (720) must be taken prior to or during the same semester as the Civil Justice Clinic. It is recommended that students take Evidence (655), Family Law (610) and Trusts and Estates (620) prior to enrolling in the Civil Justice Clinic. This course is offered every year. |
794-796 |
Description: Students wishing to conduct independent research or pursue special projects may do so by enrolling in a Directed Research course. Directed Research Law 794 is 3 credits, graded and will satisfy the upper-level writing requirement with final grade of “C” or above. Additional directed research projects may be approved for either two or three credit hours and may be on either a graded (795) or pass/fail (796) basis. Each full-time member of the faculty (including tenured and tenure-track faculty, library faculty, clinical faculty, legal writing instructors, and emeritus faculty) may supervise up to three directed research projects at any one time. Other instructors (including visiting and adjunct professors) may supervise directed research projects with the permission of the Associate Dean. This course is offered every semester. |
781, 782, 783, 784 |
Credits: 3 Description: Members of the NIU Law Review can earn a total of 3 hours of academic credit for their law review work. Up to three semester hours may be awarded for work during the third year. Any award of credit must be approved by the faculty Law Review advisor(s).
This course is offered every year. |
760 |
Co-Curricular Competitions: National Appellate Advocacy Competition Credits: 2 Description: The ABA Law Student Division National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC) is a moot court competition that emphasizes the development of oral advocacy skills through a realistic appellate advocacy experience. Moot court competitors participate in a hypothetical appeal to the United States Supreme Court. The competition involves writing a brief as either respondent or petitioner and then arguing the case in front of the mock court. A team consists of two or three JD candidates attending the same ABA-approved law school. The regional competition consists of three qualifying rounds with each team arguing at least once on behalf of the respondent and the petitioner. Teams pairings for the first two rounds based on their brief scores. After three qualifying rounds, 16 teams advance to the semifinal round. Ultimately, four teams from each regional competition advance to the moot court National Finals. Participants in cocurricular interscholastic competitions may register for credit upon certification by the appropriate faculty sponsor. For more information, see Practice Skills Competitions. Prerequisites for participation in the NAAC competition are Legal Writing I (500), Basic Legal Research II (512) and Legal Writing II (701). Note: Law 701 may be taken as a co-requisite. This course is normally offered every year. |
756, 757, 758, 759 |
Credits: 2 Description: Participants in cocurricular interscholastic competitions may register for credit upon certification by the appropriate faculty sponsor. For more information, see Practice Skills Competitions. For Law 756, consult with your instructor about any prerequisites or recommended courses. The following specific competitions have prerequisites:
This course is normally offered every year. |
755 |
American Association for Justice Trial Advocacy Competition Credits: 2 Description: Participants in co-curricular interscholastic competitions may register for credit upon certification by the appropriate faculty sponsor. Prerequisites: Evidence (655); Trial Advocacy (725) This course is normally offered every year. |
754 |
Credits: 1 Description: Participants in co-curricular interscholastic competitions may register for credit upon certification by the appropriate faculty sponsor. Prerequisite: Introduction to Lawyering Skills (720) This course is normally offered every year. |
753 |
National Latina/o Law Student Association Competition Credits: 2 Description: The Annual National Latina/o Law Student Association (NLLSA) Moot Court competition is associated with the NLLSA Conference. The competition is an opportunity for law students to hone their legal research, writing and oral advocacy skills while competing against students from across the country. It also gives students the opportunity to become experts in a contemporary and controversial area of the law. A student may enroll in a moot court competition in the fall semester of their 2L year only if the student possesses at least a 2.4 GPA, and that student may receive only 1 credit for the course. Participants in co-curricular interscholastic competitions may register for credit upon certification by the appropriate faculty sponsor. Prerequisites: Legal Writing I (500), Basic Legal Research II (512) and Legal Writing II (701). Note: Law 701 may be taken as a co-requisite.
This course is normally offered every year. |
752 |
National Moot Court Competition Credits: 2 Description: A student may enroll in a moot court competition in the fall semester of their 2L year only if the student possesses at least a 2.4 GPA, and that student may receive only 1 credit for the course. Participants in co-curricular interscholastic competitions may register for credit upon certification by the appropriate faculty sponsor. Prerequisites: Legal Writing I (500), Basic Legal Research II (512) and Legal Writing II (701). Note: Law 701 may be taken as a co-requisite.
This course is offered every year. |
751 |
Credits: 2 Description: The Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition is an advocacy competition for law students. Teams of law students compete against one another through the presentation of oral and written pleadings to address timely issues of public international law in the context of a hypothetical legal dispute between nations. Students will research and prepare arguments for both sides of the dispute, drafting and editing written pleadings, called “memorials,” and practicing oral presentations. Each team prepares two written memorials and two 45-minute oral presentations, one for each party to the dispute (the “Applicant” and the “Respondent”). Teams argue alternately as Applicant and Respondent against competing teams before a panel of judges, simulating a proceeding before the International Court of Justice. The regional Jessup competition rounds are typically held in Chicago and the finals held in Washington, D.C. A student may enroll in a moot court competition in the fall semester of their 2L year only if the student possesses at least a 2.4 GPA, and that student may receive only 1 credit for the course. Participants in co-curricular interscholastic competitions may register for credit upon certification by the appropriate faculty sponsor. Prerequisites: Legal Writing I (500), Basic Legal Research II (512) and Legal Writing II (701). Note: Law 701 may be taken as a co-requisite.
This course is offered every year. |
750 |
Appellate Lawyers Association Competition Credits: 2 Description: The Appellate Lawyers Association (ALA) National Competition is an appellate advocacy competition for law students held in Chicago annually. Every level of the competition is held in working courtrooms at the Dirksen Federal Building and judged by ALA members. A student may enroll in a moot court competition in the fall semester of their 2L year only if the student possesses at least a 2.4 GPA, and that student may receive only 1 credit for the course. Participants in co-curricular interscholastic competitions may register for credit upon certification by the appropriate faculty sponsor. Prerequisites: Legal Writing I (500), Basic Legal Research II (512) and Legal Writing II (701). Note: Law 701 may be taken as a co-requisite. This course is normally offered every year. |
734 |
Credits: 3 Description: Negotiation is a core legal skill. Modern lawyers resolve a majority of client matters through negotiation. Corporate lawyers negotiate deals and contracts. Criminal lawyers negotiate plea bargains. Civil attorneys negotiate settlements. Experienced negotiators use a variety of practices, styles and techniques to achieve their clients’ goals. Students in this class will develop practical negotiating skills based on current negotiation theory. Through a combination of lectures, discussions and frequent simulated negotiations, students will gain experience negotiating in multiple disciplines, including corporate transactions, family law, community disputes, criminal cases and civil lawsuits. This course is normally offered every other year. |
733 |
Credits: 2 Description: This course is designed to model a civil law firm setting. As part of this class students will draft multiple practice documents including inter-office and file memos, deposition summaries and client correspondence. Modeling the kinds of collaborative writing done in practice, students will also engage in frequent peer-editing to polish and perfect their work prior to submitting it to the professor/partner. Prerequisites: Legal Writing I (500), Basic Legal Research II (512) and Legal Writing II (701). Note: Law 701 may be taken as a co-requisite.
This course is normally offered every other year. |
732 |
Advanced Legal Research: Illinois Law Credits: 2 Description: This course will delve into Illinois legal research sources in depth and highlight a number of the more sophisticated issues and solutions encountered in advanced research. Criminal law and civil law will be covered and within civil law time will be spent on research for transactional work. Students will work through multi-issue projects and identifying effective approaches, pitfalls and indicators that a new approach is needed. Prerequisite: Basic Legal Research II (512)
This course is normally offered every other year. |
731 |
Advanced Legal Research: Public Interest Research Credits: 2 Description: This course will provide students with experience using key research strategies and resources in the following areas of public interest law: criminal law (from both the prosecution and defense perspectives), housing law (landlord-tenant, fair housing, and foreclosure defense), Medicare and Medicaid law, consumer law, public benefits law, environmental law, immigration law and civil rights law. Both print and electronic materials will be explored, with an emphasis on electronic resources when possible. This course will be particularly useful for students who are considering a career in an area of public interest law and want exposure to several areas in one course. You will be required to complete graded assignments and a graded final project (as opposed to a final exam). Prerequisite: Basic Legal Research II (512)
This course is normally offered less than every other year. |
730 |
Advanced Legal Research: Prepare to Practice Credits: 1 Description: This course emphasizes a practice-oriented approach to legal research. Students will review strategies for researching the law quickly and efficiently. Students will also learn strategies to conduct research using legal resources such as court rules, court dockets, litigation and transactional practice tools, business and corporate resources, and other practice-based resources. Prerequisite: Basic Legal Research II (512)
This course is normally offered every year. |
729 |
Credits: 3 Description: This course teaches the fundamental skills utilized in criminal proceedings including: pre-charge investigation; charging decisions; pleadings in criminal cases; discovery; interaction with defendants, their families, and victims; interviewing witnesses; motion practice; plea negotiations; development of case theory and trial strategies; sentencing; and post-trial matters. Students will engage in “on-your feet” exercises and draft litigation documents, such as charging documents and pre-trial motions. Emphasis will be given to ethics and professional responsibility of attorneys involved in criminal practice. Enrollment is limited to 16 students. Prerequisite: Evidence (655) It is highly recommended that students have taken (or be concurrently enrolled in) Criminal Procedure: Police Investigation (601). This course is offered every year. |
727 |
Credits: 2 Description: An introduction to the Illinois rules of appellate practice; practice exercises in reviewing trial transcripts and writing briefs in criminal appellate cases. Emphasis on the skills of issue identification, case analysis, legal writing and oral argument. This course is normally offered every other year. |
726 |
Credits: 3 Description: Enrollment is limited to 12 students. Building on the fundamental skills learned in Trial Advocacy, students may expand their trial skills in Advanced Trial Advocacy. The course engages students in a series of simulated trial exercises in which they refine the presentation of evidence and examination of witnesses. Significant emphasis will be given to scientific proof and expert witnesses; the art of cross-examining difficult witnesses; jury selection; and effective use of jury instructions. Prerequisites: Trial Advocacy (725) This course is normally offered every year. |
725 |
Credits: 3 Description: Teaches the student the courtroom skills and practical understanding of evidence utilized by trial attorneys. Through a series of performance exercises, students learn the fundamentals of making an opening statement and closing argument, conducting direct and cross-examination of witnesses and introducing physical evidence. Students additionally are introduced to the art of jury selection and the use of jury instructions. The course culminates with students conducting a full trial. This course is a prerequisite for The American Association for Justice Trial Advocacy Competition (755) and is recommended for students intending to enroll in the Criminal Defense Clinic (810). Prerequisite: Evidence (655) This course is offered every semester. |
723 |
Credits: 3 Description: This course will examine both the theory and practice of mediation from the perspectives of the mediator, attorney and party. The course covers negotiation theory, stages of the mediation process, the role of the mediator, mediation advocacy, ethical issues in mediation and the challenges of resolving disputes outside of the traditional judicial process. Students will participate in regular simulated mediations to gain both mediation and mediation advocacy skills. Readings, exercises, lectures and simulation debriefs will encourage a rigorous analysis and critical assessment of current mediation theory and mediation practice. This course is normally offered every other year. |
722 |
Alternative Dispute Resolution Credits: 3 Description: An examination of the various forms of alternative dispute resolution including negotiation, mediation, mini-trials, summary jury trials, rent-a-judge and diverse variations of these options. The analysis of these various processes will stress the legal and ethical implications of each method, as well as its advantages and weaknesses. This course will be both theoretical and practical. This course is normally offered every other year. |
720 |
Introduction to Lawyering Skills (required) Credits: 3 Description: An introduction to the skills and techniques essential to the pretrial phase of a civil or criminal lawsuit. The course involves simulated experiences, with extensive reliance on role-playing and videotaping to provide immediacy of experience and direct feedback. Enrollment is limited to 16 students. Prerequisites: Legal Writing I (500); Contracts II (503); Civil Procedure II (507); Torts (508); Basic Legal Research II (512); Legal Writing II (701). Note: Law 701 may be taken as a co-requisite. This course is offered every semester. |
712 |
Credits: 2 Description: Advanced Legal Research is intended to provide second and third year law students with enhanced research skills for the successful practice of law. The course takes a subject approach encompassing many different areas of law, including but not limited to labor and employment, immigration, tax, bankruptcy, securities, court rules, procedure and practice sets, and legislative history (federal and Illinois). Low-cost and emerging research platforms are also covered. Brief overviews of the substantive areas of law are provided, then students are introduced to the major research resources available within the subjects covered. Additionally, hands-on practice exercises are worked on before graded assignments are completed. The main focus of the course is online research, however print materials are referenced at times, such as when no comparable online equivalent exists. Prerequisite: Basic Legal Research II (512)
This course is offered every year. |
710 |
Legal Analysis: Skills and Strategies Credits: 2 Description: This course focuses on instruction designed to help students improve their test-taking skills for each of the three components of the bar examination: multiple choice questions, essay questions and the Multistate Performance Test (MPT). Basic skills such as outlining, memorizing, organization and analysis will be reviewed and assessed. Other skills, including time-management and self-assessment, will also be addressed. This course is pass/fail. This course is offered every year. |
709 |
Credits: 3 Description: Problems arising in common business transactions will be examined. Such issues include business entity choice and formation, control of the business, capital structure, buy-sell agreements, redemptions, liquidations, sales and reorganizations. Prerequisite/Co-requisite: Business Associations I (640). Business Associations I may be taken at the same time as Business Planning as a co-requisite. Students who took Corporations (formerly 641) prior to the fall 2018 semester may use that course to satisfy the prerequisite for Business Associations I (640). This course is normally offered every year. |
701 |
Legal Writing and Advocacy II (required) Credits: 2 Description: An introduction to the development of legal writing and advocacy skills through a series of intensive writing exercises culminating in an oral argument. This course begins in the spring semester of the first year and continues during the first seven weeks of the fall semester of the second year of law school. Legal Writing 701 focuses on the creation of an appellate brief and the presentation of an oral argument. Prerequisites: Legal Writing and Advocacy I (500) This course is offered every year. |
699B |
The Legal System of the European Union Credits: 3 Description: The legal system of the European Union overlays the domestic legal systems of France and other European Union member states. This course examines the development of the legal and institutional structure of the European Union. In addition, this course considers the relationship of the law of the European Union to the domestic law of the member states and examines selected substantive doctrines of European Union Law. This course is offered only in the Northern Illinois University College of Law Summer Session at the University of Bordeaux Center for Judicial Studies, Agen, France. This course is offered every year. |
699 |
Civil Law and Civil Lawyers: The French Experience Credits: 3 Description: What England is to the Common Law world, France is to the other great legal tradition: the Civil Law. This course is a focused, in-depth examination of the French legal system in action. Selections from the Code Civil are examined in the context of the unique structure and functioning of the French system of judicial, administrative and constitutional jurisdictions. The distinctively different role of judges in a non-common law system is examined as are the roles, formation and ethics of the various French legal professions. Judges and lawyers are also observed in on-site court sessions. Selected topics in French substantive law are studied from a comparative perspective. This course is offered only in the Northern Illinois University College of Law Summer Session at the University of Bordeaux Center for Judicial Studies, Agen, France. This course is offered every year. |
697 |
Credits: 3 Description: An examination of the law that governs recovery for parties injured by consumer and industrial products as a result of manufacturing defects, design defects, and defects in warnings and instructions. Theories of liability will include negligence, misrepresentation, warranty, and strict liability. This course is normally offered every other year. |
694 |
International Business Transactions Credits: 3 Description: Overview of private international law, including international sales transactions, the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, agency and distributorships, technology transfer and licensing, foreign direct investment, international business dispute resolution and corporate social responsibility. Topics are selected primarily to illustrate the issues customarily associated with conducting cross-border business dealings. This course is offered every year. |
692 |
Taxation of Business Enterprises Credits: 3 Description: Federal income taxation of corporations, S corporations and partnerships. Emphasis on organization of and distributions by such entities. Prerequisites: Business Associations I (640); Introduction to Federal Income Taxation (691). Students who took Corporations (formerly 641) prior to the fall 2018 semester may use that course to satisfy the prerequisite for Business Associations I (640). This course is normally offered every other year. |
691 |
Introduction to Federal Income Taxation Credits: 3 Description: Federal income taxation of individuals, including analysis of income, deductions, tax accounting, and capital gains. Study of research and resource materials and basic tax principles. This course is a prerequisite for Estate Planning (625) and Taxation of Business Enterprises (692) This course is offered every year. |
690 |
Credits: 3 Description: Survey of public international law covering sources and application of international law, jurisdiction, sovereign and diplomatic immunity and subjects of international agreements. Emphasis on the structure and functioning of the international legal system and the role of international organizations. It is recommended, but not required, to take this course prior to taking International Criminal Law (647). This course is normally offered every year. |
689 |
Credits: 3 Description: The substantive law of copyright for the protection of literary and artistic works, considering the nature of the right (common law, statutory), subject matter protected, acquisition of right, extent of protection (“fair use”), transfer (assignment, license), enforcement (infringement, piracy) and international aspects. This course is normally offered every other year. |
687 |
Credits: 3 Description: Overview of copyright, patent, trademark and trade secret law. Considers the nature of the right, its acquisition, the subject matter protected, the extent of protection, transfer rights, loss of rights, enforcement, and international aspects of intellectual property law. This course is normally offered every other year. |
686 |
Credits: 3 Description: This course will concentrate on the statutory and regulatory scheme concerning the immigration and naturalization of aliens in the United States, including the historical origins of U.S. immigration law and current proposals for major reforms of these laws. The unusual constitutional status of aliens and important issues of separation of powers and federalism will be covered in depth. International and domestic law governing the treatment of refugees will also be included. This course is normally offered every year. |
684 |
Credits: 3 Description: An examination of the remedies of equity, restitution and damages in modern practice. This course is offered every year. |
683 |
Credits: 3 Description: The federal law regulating the issuance, distribution and trading of securities. Also a brief survey of state regulation of securities transactions. Prerequisite: Business Associations I (640). Students who took Corporations (formerly 641) prior to the fall 2018 semester may use that course to satisfy this prerequisite. This course is normally offered every other year. |
681 |
Credits: 3 Description: So titled because "trusts" once were used to destroy business competition, U.S. antitrust laws are intended to ensure that the American market economy functions in a competitive manner and for the benefit of consumers. This course will analyze the statutes which provide the basis for U.S. competition law as well as a number of administrative agency interpretations which constitute the most important policies of antitrust enforcement. The substance of the course will encompass horizontal restraints between competitors (price fixing, group boycotts, bid rigging, etc.), vertical restraints involving multiple actors in a chain of distribution, the abuse of monopoly power by single firms, the standards of judicial and administrative review for mergers and acquisitions and the judicially imposed limitations on private enforcement. The majority of the course will focus on U.S. law although some international and comparative aspects will be considered. No prior knowledge of economics is required. This course is normally offered every other year. |
679 |
Poverty Law in Theory and Practice Credits: 2-3 Description: Examines how law and legal systems impact poor people. Federal and state laws and the agencies and organizations that define and regulate the lives of poor individuals and families are studied. Covers the history of legal services for the poor, societal and political responses to poverty and competing public policy perspectives over issues of welfare, welfare reform and ways to address income disparity and the lives of poor people in the United States. Subject matter is analyzed from both historical and sociological perspectives. Public benefits, education, and the impact of gender, race, ethnicity and immigration status are reviewed in the context of constitutional and administrative law. This course is normally offered every other year. |
678 |
Credits: 2 Description: An examination of issues relating to both commercial and residential leases, including the creation of leaseholds, assignments and subleases, eviction, rent control, discrimination in the selection of tenants and the respective rights and obligations of landlords and tenants. Particular attention will be paid to recent developments in the law of residential leases, such as the rise of the implied warranty of habitability. This course is offered every year. |
676 |
Credits: 2 Description: This extended bar studies course is designed to help students gain a stronger grasp of frequently-tested concepts in the context of three MBE subjects. Subjects will be chosen from Contracts, Torts, Evidence, Civil Procedure, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and Property. You will be taught how to develop, use and apply a flexible but strong analytical framework to solve bar exam problems. In preparation for class, you will review the relevant substantive doctrine via online materials and by completing MBE questions, essay questions and other exercises as required. Class time will be devoted to helping you obtain a deeper and more sophisticated understanding of the doctrine and the analytical methodology necessary to successfully answer bar exam questions. This course is offered every year in the spring. It is required of all students except those who rank in the top quarter of the class as of the end of their second year of study. Students who are required to take this course but who plan to graduate a semester early must instead take and pass Legal Analysis: Skills and Strategies (710). This course is offered every year. |
675 |
Credits: 3 Description: Explores civil rights law in the context of litigation brought under Section 1983 and various causes of action that allow individuals to seek remedies for violations by government actors (state or federal) of federal rights violations. Particular emphasis on modern federal statutes prohibiting discrimination, including Title VI and Title VII. Topics may include affirmative action, sexual harassment and issues related to gender identity. This course is normally offered every year. |
674 |
Credits: 3 Description: This course provides a survey of health care law and regulations in the United States. The material covers a broad range of legal issues surrounding the delivery of health care, including: health care reform, state and federal regulation of health care providers and institutions, HIPAA and state privacy laws, patient and provider rights and obligations, as well as basic issues in bioethics and public health. Topics also include access to health care provided via public and private insurance programs, fraud and abuse, health care compliance programs, medical malpractice and physician contracting. This course is normally offered every year. |
670 |
Credits: 3 Description: An examination of the National Labor Relations Act’s history, policies, and evolving doctrine. Topics include collective activity in the non-union workplace, representation election law and procedures, strikes, picketing, discrimination and the role of nontraditional organizing strategies in modern labor relations. This course is offered every year. |
668 |
Credits: 3 Description: A study of the law related to public K—12 schools in the United States. Topics covered include teacher and student free speech; establishment clause and free exercise rights of teachers and students; desegregation; due process and equal protection rights of students, teachers and staff members; and search and seizure in the public schools. Federal legislation impacting schools, such as Title IX and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, will also be covered. This course is normally offered every other year. |
667 |
Credits: 2-3 Description: Topics covered include the major legal problems of modern local government with an emphasis on the role of cities and other local governmental units in relation to the state and national governments; problems that arise in connection with creation of local governments and special districts; the imposition of taxes by state and local governments in the context of a federal system; typical state property, income and sales tax problems and local finance mechanisms; constitutional and other limits on local governance mechanisms. This course is offered every year. |
664 |
Credits: 3 Description: This course will equip students with the basic tools for handling statutes and regulations across many different substantive areas of law and enable students to understand the context in which these sources of law are made. As such, the course will examine the political process, the role of the legislature in the governmental structure, legislative organization and procedure and statutory interpretation by the courts. The course will focus on particular statutes from different areas of law but in a manner intended to uncover the legislative process and intent rather than the particular rules put forth in the statute. There will be substantial time devoted to judicial theories of the interpretive process as well. This course should be considered highly recommended for students interested in pursuing public law areas, and also will be highly useful in Administrative Law. The course will involve multiple in-class exercises, including drafting exercises. This course is normally offered every year. |
663 |
Credits: 3 Description: A survey of the “Western Legal Tradition” from its Roman law origins, through the development of the English common law, culminating in the American expression of that tradition. This course is normally offered every other year. |
662 |
Credits: 3 Description: This course focuses on the issues and legal rules that are implicated when a controversy is susceptible to being governed by more than one law, sovereign or legal authority. The course will address choice of law issues in both the domestic and international contexts, i.e., how courts go about choosing the law that governs disputes with trans-border implications. In addition, the course will analyze some of the ways in which the U.S. Constitution regulates conflicts of law within the United States. Among other things, the course will address the enforceability of judgments, the legislative jurisdiction of the states, the judicial jurisdiction of the state and federal courts, the federal preemption of state law and the application of state law in federal court. By definition, Conflict of Laws implicates a wide variety of substantive legal fields. In this course, conflicts within the Tort and Family Law contexts will be addressed in particular detail. Among the other substantive legal areas included will be Contracts, Property, Antitrust, Maritime and International Human Rights Law. This course is offered every year. |
661 |
Credits: 3 Description: Problems peculiar to federal practice. The course focuses on jurisdictional prerequisites (federal question, diversity of citizenship), removal, abstention, limitations on the power of federal courts to issue injunctions and the authority of federal courts to issue writs of habeas corpus. This course is normally offered every year. |
660 |
Credits: 3 Description: Creation and functions of federal and state administrative agencies; procedures for administrative agency rule-making and adjudication; judicial review and other forms of oversight of agency actions. This course is offered every year. |
657 |
Credits: 2 Description: This course will introduce students to mindfulness and how mindful practices can contribute to effective lawyering and personal well-being. There are many definitions of mindfulness, but its essence is non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. There is a growing field of mindfulness and the law that explores how mindfulness can aid many essential lawyering skills such as interviewing, empathy, ethical decision-making, conflict resolution, recognizing implicit bias and civility. This class will explore these and other applications of mindfulness. Mindfulness is also a tool that can assist in the management of stress and anxiety. Students will be expected to engage in regular mindful practices (including meditation), keep a weekly reflective journal, prepare two or three short papers and make an oral presentation to the class. The course is pass/fail. This course is normally offered every year. |
655 |
Credits: 4 Description: Examines the rules controlling the presentation of information offered as evidence at trials. Common law rules, their exceptions, statutory modifications and problems of proof. This course is a prerequisite for Trial Advocacy (725), Advanced Trial Advocacy (726) and Seminar: IL Evidence (920). It is recommended for students who plan to enroll in Criminal Practice Skills (729), the Civil Justice Clinic (805) or the Criminal Defense Clinic (810). This course is offered every semester. |
654 |
Credits: 3 Description: An examination of contracts, intellectual property, publicity rights, First Amendment and labor law as these legal disciplines apply to the structure and practice of law in the entertainment industry. The course explores issues in the fields of literary publishing, music, film, television and other media. This course is normally offered every other year. |
653 |
Credits: 3 Description: Problems in the broad area of resource development and environmental quality; public law and private law solutions; the interaction of property law and public regulation, public participation in resources; and the quality of our environment. The probable effects of present law, policies and potential policy alternatives defined and evaluated from the viewpoint of the individual, the enterprise and the public at large. Federal statutory responses to environmental degradation. This course is normally offered every other year. |
650 |
Credits: 3 Description: An advanced real estate course expanding on the conveyancing fundamentals introduced in the basic property course. Concentration will be on the contract of sale, closing the transfer, assuring title and an overview of issues and problems related to financing the transaction. The course also examines federal income tax considerations and, time permitting, communal home ownership arrangements. This course is normally offered every year. |
649 |
Credits: 2 Description: This course traces the legal principles, history and policies behind the American system of social insurance for workplace accidents. The core procedural and substantive components of state workers’ compensation regimes are examined, as well as the legal rules covering death benefits, third party actions, and the impact of alternative statutory schemes when an employee is injured in the course of employment, such as Social Security and the Family Medical Leave Act. Special emphasis is given to the administrative procedures contained in the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act, and in-class case exercises cover many of the practical issues that confront attorneys representing injured workers or their employers. This course is offered every year. |
647 |
Credits: 3 Description: International Criminal Law focuses on the redress of serious crimes on the international level. Since the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials, there have been ad hoc tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, hybrid tribunals (part domestic and international), and the creation of the International Criminal Court, the permanent court made to deal with genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggressive war. Regional courts, such as the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, also address crimes. All of these courts have arrived recently in history, and play important parts in international criminal justice. Other means to address international crimes may be addressed as well. There are no prerequisites for International Criminal Law, but Public International Law (690) and International Human Rights (646) are recommended prior to taking this course. This course is normally offered every other year. |
646 |
Credits: 3 Description: This course starts with the abolition of slavery and then moves to the Holocaust, Nuremberg and post-WWII developments. It delves into the United Nations, including the International Bill of Human Rights. It surveys the regional human rights system in our hemisphere, the Inter-American system of human rights. Other human rights issues to be addressed vary from year to year. It is recommended, but not required, to take this course prior to taking International Criminal Law (647). This course is normally offered every year. |
643 |
Professional Responsibility (required) Credits: 2-3 Description: A critical examination of the legal and ethical premises of lawyering and the client-lawyer relationship. Includes discussion of various formulations of professional standards, particularly the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, as well as other sources of law relevant to the regulation of lawyer conduct. This course is offered every semester. |
642 |
Credits: 2 Description: The procedures for civil actions in Illinois circuit courts. In-depth examination of the Illinois Civil Procedure Code and the Illinois Supreme Court Rules, including comparisons with the Federal Judicial Code and Rules of Civil Procedure. Prerequisites: Civil Procedure II (507) This course is offered every year. |
641 |
Credits: 3 Description: Business Associations II will cover LLPs and LLCs in depth, along with some coverage of other contemporary business entities (such as benefit corporations). Prerequisite: Business Associations I (640) This course is offered every year. |
640 |
Credits: 4 Description: Business Associations I will cover agency, as well as general partnerships and corporations (including close corporations and public corporations) in detail. It will also provide an introduction to LLCs and LLPs. This course is a prerequisite for Business Associations II (641), Securities Regulation (683) and Taxation of Business Enterprises (692). It is also a prerequisite/co-requisite for Business Planning (709). This course is offered every semester. |
636 |
Credits: 3 Description: The nature of risk and its insurability; the insurance contract and government regulation of the activities of insurers; the different types of risks insured against; insurance as a financial planning device; and claims, rights and interests of policyholders and others. This course is normally offered every year. |
635 |
Credits: 2-3 Description: An examination of the law governing contracts for the Sale of Goods under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code. This course deals with such matters as the formation, interpretation and performance of sales contracts; sellers warranties; risk of loss; and buyers and sellers remedies for breach. The course also focuses upon problems of statutory interpretation and policy under Article 2. This course is offered every year. |
633 |
Credits: 3 Description: An examination of the Bankruptcy Code, as amended in 2005 and associated matters; includes a study of state collection procedures, consumer bankruptcies under Chapters 7 and 11 and, time permitting, some aspects of business bankruptcies under Chapters 7 and 11. This course is offered every year. |
632 |
Credits: 3 Description: An examination of U.S. and state trademark and unfair competition laws. This course will incorporate a practice component, including the development of skills such as client counseling, conducting a trademark search, filing a trademark application, drafting an office action response and preparing and responding to cease and desist letters. This course is normally offered every other year. |
631 |
Credits: 3 Description: The law relating to the creation of security interests in personal property, as codified in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Prerequisite: Contracts II (503)
This course is offered every year. |
623 |
Credits: 3 Description: A study of state and federal workplace laws applicable to nonunion employees. Topics include at-will employment and its tort and contract exceptions, discrimination based on race, sex, religion and disability, sex harassment, wage minimums, covenants not-to-compete and the rise of employment arbitration agreements. This course is normally offered every other year. |
620 |
Credits: 3 Description: An examination of the nature, creation and construction of basic legal devices available for transmission of wealth during life and at death. A study of trusts analyzing their creation and the rights and duties of beneficiaries and trustees. Consideration of testacy, intestacy and the nature of probate practice. This course is a prerequisite for Estate Planning (625). This course is offered every year. |
615 |
Comparing Federal and Illinois Civil Practice Credits: 1 Description: The course includes eight video presentations on transitioning from studying federal civil procedure in law school to practicing in civil cases in Illinois Circuit Courts. Each presentation will run approximately 45-75 minutes and will review and contrast federal and Illinois laws, including constitutional dictates, court rules, statues, and major cases. And, each presentation will highlight some challenging issues that frequently arise only in Illinois cases. Prerequisite: Civil Procedure I (506); Civil Procedure II (507) This course is offered every year. |
612 |
Contemporary Immigration Law and Practice Credits: 3 Description: This course will provide an introduction into the contemporary practice of immigration law and policy at the federal and local level. In addition to exploring the statues and regulations concerning immigration law, students will have an opportunity to dive into the practical aspects of immigration practice ranging from conducting client intakes, preparing mock immigration petitions/applications, to troubleshooting issues that commonly arise in other areas of law as it relates to a person's immigration status. This course is offered every year. |
610 |
Credits: 3 Description: Impediments to marriage—age, incest, incapacity, bigamy, and failure to meet formal requirements. Common law marriage and annulment. Support duties, antenuptial contracts and the state’s interest in marriage. Dissolution of marriage—jurisdiction, fault and no-fault divorce, property division, child custody, alimony, child support, court orders and separation agreements and their enforcement and post-decretal modifications. This course is recommended for students who plan to enroll in the Civil Justice Clinic (805). This course is offered every year. |
607 |
Credits: 3 Description: An examination of a series of First Amendment issues under the speech, press and religion clauses not dealt with in detail in Constitutional Law II. The following are representative of the topics to be treated: the vagueness and overbreadth doctrines; prior restraint; expression restrictions in connection with national security, the administration of justice, the electoral process, and common law torts; First Amendment issues in the regulation of and access to the news media; government secrecy and inquiry into beliefs; access to government facilities and benefits by religious organizations; and First Amendment rights in specialized government facilities such as schools, prisons and military bases. Prerequisite: Constitutional Law II (600) This course is normally offered every other year. |
603 |
Advanced Torts - Economic and Dignitary Torts Credits: 3 Description: First year torts focuses on tort actions that seek to redress physical harm to persons and property. In Advanced Torts you will analyze tort actions that provide remedies for injuries to economic and dignitary interests. Topics covered will include misrepresentation (fraud and negligent misrepresentation), defamation, disclosure of private facts, intrusion upon seclusion, false light, appropriation of name or likeness and tortious interference with contracts and economic opportunities. Prerequisite: Torts (508) This course is normally offered every year. |
602 |
Criminal Procedure: Adjudication Credits: 3 Description: Constitutional requirements of the guilt adjudication process. Prosecutorial discretion, the grand jury, preliminary hearing, bail, jurisdiction, venue, discovery, speedy trial provisions, jury trial, sentencing, double jeopardy, appeals and postconviction remedies and cruel and unusual punishment. This course is recommended for students who plan to enroll in Criminal Practice Skills (729) or the Criminal Defense Clinic (810). This course is offered every year. |
601 |
Criminal Procedure: Police Investigation Credits: 3 Description: Constitutional requirements of the criminal investigative process. The course focuses on the law governing searches, seizures and confessions, as well as the right to counsel. Special emphasis on the evolution of the exclusionary rule and the development of the probable cause and warrant requirements. This course is a prerequisite for Childen in the Legal System (613). It is recommended for students who plan to enroll in Criminal Practice Skills (729) or the Criminal Defense Clinic (810). This course is offered every year. |
600 |
Constitutional Law II (required) Credits: 3 Description: The Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses in the United States Constitution; class-based discrimination (e.g., race and gender) or discrimination with regard to fundamental rights; state action; congressional enforcement power; an examination of the process of constitutional decision-making; exploration of liberties such as freedom of expression, association, religion and privacy. |
550 |
Constitutional Law I: The Federal System (required) Credits: 2 Description: Basic principles of judicial review and federalism under the Constitution of the United States. The theory and practice of judicial review in constitutional cases; the theory of federalism and separation of powers under the federal system; the legislative powers of Congress; federalism and the conduct of interstate commerce; the authority of the president over military matters and in foreign and domestic affairs; the jurisdiction of the federal courts; the residual powers of the states and relations between the states. |
516 |
Introduction to the Legal Profession II (required) Credits: 0.50 Description: Second semester of the Introduction to the Legal Profession course sequence that begins with Law 515. |
515 |
Introduction to the Legal Profession I (required) Credits: 0.50 Description: This course provides first-year law students with a brief introduction to the professional role of the American lawyer through speakers and panel discussions. Through these programs you will begin to reflect on the values, skills and qualities you will need to be ethical and effective members of the legal profession. The course also includes a focus on fundamental writing skills through reflective essay writing assignments. |
513 |
Legal Methods (required) Credits: 2 Description: Through a problem-solving approach, this course focuses on tying together fundamental aspects of the law school curriculum and the practice of law, with an emphasis on what it means (and how to learn) to “think like a lawyer.” Topics include the structure of court systems in the United States, the role of judges and legislatures, the nature of the common law system, basics of statutory interpretation, critical reading skills, reasoning from precedent, reasoning from authority, using and analyzing facts, analogical reasoning, rule synthesis and the role of ethics and professionalism. This course also addresses the skills necessary for success in law school, focusing on the nexus between analytical skills, test-taking skills and the classroom experience. |
512 |
Basic Legal Research II (required) Credits: 2 Description: In Basic Legal Research II, you will be introduced to more advanced methods of research as well as cost-effective legal research and drafting materials for transactional or litigation practice. Low cost research alternatives will be explored in addition to the traditional legal research databases and more advanced legal research strategies and sources will be introduced and utilized in class. Prerequisite: Basic Legal Research I (511) |
511 |
Basic Legal Research I (required) Credits: 1 Description: An introduction to the process of legal research and basic legal research strategy. Techniques of using all available legal research resources will be discussed. Beginning with analyzing a factual situation in order to develop a legal research strategy, you will learn how to locate and use secondary sources, case law, statutory and legislative history material, administrative regulations and available citations within legal databases. Federal and Illinois/state legal research will be introduced and discussed throughout the coursework. |
510 |
Criminal Law (required) Credits: 3 Description: A study of substantive criminal law including general principles of criminal liability; principles of accountability; excuses, justifications, and defenses; and common law and code developments. |
508 |
Torts (required) Credits: 4 Description: Compensation at law for private wrongs to persons and property arising out of intentional or negligent conduct. |
507 |
Civil Procedure II (required) Credits: 3 Description: Second semester of the Civil Procedure course sequence that begins with Law 506. Prerequisite: Civil Procedure I (506) |
506 |
Civil Procedure I (required) Credits: 3 Description: The litigation of a civil action from its inception to final review by an appellate court. The limitations of review, of relitigation and of collateral attacks on judgments. The division of jurisdiction between the state and federal courts and problems inherent in such a division of jurisdiction. In-depth examination of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Federal Judicial Code (Chapter 28 of the United States Code). |
505 |
Property (required) Credits: 4 Description: The law of real and personal property, gifts, adverse possession, land transfers; recording, covenants, easements, estates, landlord-tenant relationships, and rights and liabilities accruing from possession or ownership of land. |
503 |
Contracts II (required) Credits: 3 Description: Second semester of the Contracts course sequence that begins with Law 502. Prerequisite: Contracts I (502) |
502 |
Contracts I (required) Credits: 3 Description: Fundamental principles of contract law and the circumstances under which promises are to be enforced. Includes both the common law development and the concepts underlying the Uniform Commercial Code in the setting of modern sales agreements. Special attention to legal method in case and statutory analysis and to social institutions related to law. |
500 |
Legal Writing and Advocacy I (required) Credits: 2 Description: An introduction to the development of legal writing and advocacy skills through a series of intensive writing exercises culminating in an oral argument. This course sequence begins in the spring semester of the first year and continues during the first seven weeks of the fall semester of the second year of law school. Legal Writing and Advocacy focuses primarily on objective writing—including the drafting of objective, internal office memoranda—but also includes a brief introduction to persuasive writing. Prerequisite: Legal Methods (513) |
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Credit Hour Definition
Northern Illinois University College of Law utilizes a definition of credit hour that is consistent with Federal guidelines and ABA standards. A credit hour is defined as an amount of work that reasonably approximates (1) not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and two hours of out-of-class student work per week for fifteen weeks, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or (2) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in subparagraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities—including simulation, field placement, clinical, co-curricular, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours—as determined by the College of Law.
For purpose of this definition, fifty minutes suffices for “one hour” of classroom or direct faculty instruction, but sixty minutes is required for “one hour” of out-of-class student work. The fifteen-week period includes one week for courses with a final examination.
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