2018-2019 Catalog 
    
    Apr 25, 2024  
HELP
2018-2019 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Course Descriptions

 

Experiential Learning
  

  • LAW - 847 Appellate Courts and Advocacy

    (2-3 hrs.)

    Covers appellate advocacy in civil cases, with an emphasis on federal courts. The bulk of the course is devoted to brief writing and oral argument techniques. Also provides an overview of appellate procedure, including jurisdiction, finality, the collateral order doctrine, interlocutory appeals, mandamus, standards of review, and issue preservation and harmless error.
  

  • LAW - 849 Legal Drafting

    (2-3 hrs.)

    Has two primary focuses. First, it teaches the principles of preparing transactional (i.e., nonlitigation) documents. Students can expect to draft several contracts of varied length and subject matter. Second, the course provides opportunities for students to draft litigation pleadings, such as a complaint or an answer, to which they are not exposed in Legal Rhetoric (Legal Method). The emphasis is on hands-on exercises and individualized critique of student work. Prerequisite: Legal Rhetoric: Writing and Research I and II.
  

  • LAW - 852 Law of Nonprofit Organizations

    (2 hrs.)

    Introduces the regulation of nonprofit organizations from both the federal tax and state fiduciary regulatory standpoints. Students consider the major aspects of nonprofit regulation, including substantive law, and the major public policy controversies over the proper role of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations emerging today.
  

  • LAW - 860 Criminal Defense: Theory and Practice

    (2-3 hrs.)

    Taught through a combination of lecture, discussion, and simulation, the course is designed to teach the fundamentals of zealous, client-centered criminal defense advocacy. The first part of the semester will focus on the role of the criminal defense attorney, defense ethics, and selected legal issues in defense practice. The second part will focus on the application of defense theory and client-centered advocacy in the pretrial and trial context through simulated exercises, including the initial client interview, opening statements, direct examination, cross-examination, and closing arguments. Prerequisite: Criminal Procedure (LAW-508). Recommended: Evidence (LAW-633). Instructor permission required for enrollment.
  

  • LAW - 878 Scientific Evidence & Expert Testimony

    (3 hrs.)

    This class is a practical course designed to enrich students’ understanding of the interaction between the Federal Rules of Evidence and science in a trial setting. Through a series of exercises, students are exposed to expert scientific evidence in deposition and trial contexts. In addition to these simulation exercises, the course has an instructional component which includes presentations by guest lecturers who are specialists in various scientific fields such as forensic pathology and toxicology, digital information, and trace evidence. LAW-633 Evidence
  

  • LAW - 913 Trial Advocacy: Litigating in the High-Tech Courtroom

    (2 hrs.)

    Students explore through lecture, demonstration, and discussion the accumulation, organization and presentation of proof in the high-tech courtroom.  The course includes an examination of evidentiary and procedural rules as they relate to visual advocacy, computer technology, and digital graphics.  Students organize electronically stored information using CaseMap, take videotaped depositions, and prepare and present visual evidence using PowerPoint graphics, and Sanction trial presentation software.  The course culminates in a mock jury trial presided over by a Federal Judge.  LAW-633 Evidence Students must have a non-MAC laptop for use during class because the software can only be used in a Windows environment.
  

  • LAW - 929 Advanced Legal Research and Writing: Introduction to Legal Scholarship

    (2 hrs.)

    Introduces students to independent research methods that provide grounding in student-level scholarly writing and assist students in producing a high quality research-based written paper.  Blended or on-line version is available only to students who have earend 28 or more credits toward the JD degree. Students registering for the blended or on-line versions of this class must have completed at least 28 semester hours of law courses.
  

  • LAW - 968 Trial Advocacy: Evidentiary Foundations and Objections

    (3 hrs.)

    A practical course designed to enrich students’ understanding of the Federal Rules of Evidence and their application in a trial setting.  Through a series of exercises, which simulate pretrial motions and witness examinations, students develop the skills to advocate for or against the admissibility of evidence at trial.  LAW-633 Evidence and LAW-694  Criminal Trial Advocacy or LAW-695 Civil Trial Advocacy
  

  • LAW - 980 Advanced International Law and Peace Negotiations

    (3 hrs.)

    Provides students with an opportunity to explore the legal intricacies of peace negotiations, post-conflict constitutions, and war crimes prosecutions. The particular cases examined by students are constantly updated to ensure they are dealing with contemporary conflicts. Specific issues covered include ceasefires; human rights; refugee law; state structure; power sharing; fiscal devolution; demobilization and reintegration; reconciliation; international tribunals; peacekeeping; and self-determination.
  

  • LAW - 988 Drafting Wills and Trusts

    (2 hrs.)

    The primary focus of this course is the drafting of dispositive documents, wills and trusts instruments. While substantive law will be considered to the extent necessary to put the drafting in context, the course will concentrate more on the skills of drafting to make the client’s intent clear, learning how to accomplish a testator’s or grantor’s goals through the drafting of documents.
  

  • LAW - 990 International Business Negotiations Seminar

    (2-3 hrs.)

    The purpose of the course is to provide students with an opportunity to gain insight into the dynamics of negotiating and structuring international business transactions, to learn about the role that lawyers and law play in these negotiations, and to give students experience in drafting communications and actual negotiations. Students will also learn about the legal and business issues that may arise in joint ventures and licensing agreements. The thrust of this course is class participation and active involvement in the negotiations process. Students are expected to spend time outside of class, often working in teams of two or more, to prepare for class discussions involving the written exchanges as well as preparing for the live negotiations. Class discussions will focus on the strategy for, and progress of, the negotiations, as well as the substantive legal, business and policy matters that impact on the negotiations.
  

  • LAW - 994 eDiscovery

    (2 hrs.)

     

    The ubiquitous use of computers, the Internet and Internet-related technology has dramatically changed the litigation landscape.  Information sources are growing rapidly, including social media, voicemail, instant messaging, removable media, blogs, smart phones, etc.  The courts have focused responsibility for solving the problems, and complying with the requirements of discovery (“eDiscovery”), squarely on the shoulders of litigation counsel.  This course provides a basic understanding of the legal and practical parameters of eDiscovery and electronic case management.  This skills-based course examines the legal and technological issues surrounding the use of electronically stored information during the litigation process.  Students conduct mock interviews of company CIOs and brief and argue motions involving eDiscovery issues.  Students also review and evaluate efforts made by professional groups and the courts to create reasonable parameters allowing parties to comply with their discovery obligations and ethical responsibilities while implementing a fundamental change in the adversary system from one of confrontation to one of cooperation.

  

  • LAW - 997 Strategic Litigation in International Human Rights Law

    (2 hrs.)

     

    This seminar is an opportunity for both LLM and JD students to analyze, understand, and gain experience in some basic aspects of strategic litigation in the area of international human rights. Students will work in three areas of international human rights: corruption and due process of law; rights and conditions of incarcerated people in Latin America; and discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The seminar will involve the analysis and work on real cases before the Inter American system of Human Rights or the United Nations’ body treaties and the presentation, when possible, of amici briefs or participation in written and oral presentations of the ILP’s own cases. Spanish is not required.

     


MLS Courses
  

  • MLS - 1001 Introduction to Courts & Law

    (3 hrs.)

    This course provides students with a working knowledge of the vocabulary and fundamental concepts of the institutional and substantive aspects of U.S. legal practice so that they may understand the problems and challenges of interacting with the legal system.  This course also provides students with a foundation in select areas of law, including: constitutional law, federal courts and jurisdiction, civil procedure, and professional responsibility. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 1002 Introduction to Regulatory Law & Compliance

    (3 hrs.)

    This course provides an introduction to the fundamental legal principles in the areas of statutory and regulatory interpretation, enforcement, and the principles of effective compliance programs. The course analyzes the processes of adopting, reviewing, and enforcing governmental regulations and the development and oversight of an effective in-house compliance program. This includes studying the judicial review of agency regulations as well as administrative adjudication. Finally, students will also learn about the rule-making process. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 1003 Drafting Policies, Procedures & Contracts

    (3 hrs.)

    This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of drafting contracts, policies, and procedures, and emphasizes the development of drafting skills.  This course will review the elements of an effective contract, contract structure and interpretation, key clauses, risk allocation, and enforceability.  With respect to drafting legal and compliance policies and procedures, students will learn fundamental compliance principles and gain experience in drafting effective compliance policies and procedures that serve to ensure compliance with applicable laws.  Students will gain hands-on experience in drafting and emphasis will be placed on understanding the legal and compliance purposes of the documents being drafted and how to draft with clarity and precision.  The course will be conducted by a combination of lecture and student drafting both in team and individual settings. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 1004 Negotiation & Communication

    (1.5 hrs.)

    This course provides students with a practical skill set to effectively engage at the workplace to get things done. The course covers various forms of negotiation strategies, and it prepares students to become effective communicators. The course will be conducted in a markedly hands-on format, including simulations and mock negotiation session. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 1005 MLS Immersion

    (1.5 hrs.)

    The immersion program offer students the chance to expand on the relationships they develop in the online classroom, working closely with classmates and professors in a simulation setting. Students also hear from business and legal practitioners, collaborate with peers through group assignments, and explore the professional culture of Washington, D.C.  Students are responsible for all immersion travel and accommodation expenses and arrangements.  Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 2001 Criminal Justice Information Privacy & Data Security

    (3 hrs.)

    This course examines the scope and nature of crime in the United States from a comparative and interdisciplinary perspective, focusing on the uses and limits of the criminal justice system. The course analyzes concepts of criminal process and the main elements of the criminal justice system, including police, courts, and corrections. It covers the main institutional features, challenges, and critiques of the processes through which suspects are apprehended, tried, and punished. The course encourages critical thinking about past and current trends and policy questions affecting the criminal system. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 2002 Ethics in the Law and Public Policy

    (3 hrs.)

    This course provides students with an overview of the moral and political values that inform the policies and political processes in the United States. Particular emphasis is put on the status of the non-elected public officials who face the challenges of working in a world shaped by politics. Many topics covered during this course are studied through the double lens of ethics and politics. To help guide the comprehension of the social realities, the course provides students with an introduction to various moral theories that have shaped contemporary policy debates, a consideration of the principal values that animate American politics, and issues and dilemmas in professional ethics.

     

      Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.

  

  • MLS - 3001 Health Care Fraud and Abuse: Contracting & Compliance

    (3 hrs.)

    This course examines health care fraud and abuse of laws from the perspectives of health care contracting and health care compliance. Emphasis is placed on the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, and False Claims Act, but state law issues also are considered. In addition, the course reviews sanctions and governmental enforcement initiatives. Students apply health care fraud and abuse laws to sample health care contracts. The course also considers the complexities and challenges that arise in developing and maintaining an effective compliance program for health care organizations. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 3002 Introduction to Health Care Law & Compliance

    (3 hrs.)

    This course covers the law of health care delivery and financing in the United States and the development and maintenance of an effective health care compliance program. Topics include: state and federal regulation of health care providers and health plans; licensing; scope of practice; accreditation; disciplinary and enforcement actions and associated reporting requirements; legal obligations of physicians and hospitals to provide care regardless of ability to pay; reimbursement for health care services; and employment law issues in the health care context. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 3003 Information Privacy & Data Security Law

    (3 hrs.)

    This course will explore legal and compliance principles surrounding the use and disclosure of personal information, including privacy and information security regulations promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Services Modernization Act, and the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 4001 Business Associations

    (3 hrs.)

    The Business Associations course is designed to introduce students to the various types of business entities, from a sole proprietorship to a large publicly held corporation, as well as other entities such as partnerships and limited liability companies.  Each entity has its own requirements and restrictions, especially large publicly held corporations.  The course also covers the advantages and disadvantages of conducting business in the various entities. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 4002 Securities Law & Corporate Finance

    (3 hrs.)

    This course is an introduction to corporate finance and to basic concepts of securities regulation.  Students will examine how businesses fund themselves through the issuance of securities (stocks and bonds) or other investment property.  The course explores how businesses make funding decisions as well as the basic structure, logic, and policy considerations that inform securities regulations.  The course includes coverage of the way that capital markets work. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 4003 Human Resources Compliance

    (3 hrs.)

    This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of human resources and benefits management compliance and the intersection of these principles with applicable laws and regulations.  This course surveys the basic laws, regulations, and policies that constitute human resources and benefits management.   Students will also learn the key elements of effective human resources compliance programs, including drafting and implementing compliance policies and procedures, educating through training, auditing and monitoring, and detecting and remediating compliance failures.  Through drafting and other hands-on exercises, students will learn practical skills that are foundational to the development, implementation, and maintenance of effective compliance programs.  Emphasis will be placed on learning practical legal and compliance skills and techniques relevant to the human resources and benefits management departments of an organization. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 4004 Government Contracting

    (3 hrs.)

    This course will provide students with an overview of the procurement laws, regulations, and principles governing the formation of US federal contracts. Students will gain a working knowledge of government contract law and policy applicable to sealed bids, negotiated procurements, simplified acquisitions, overseas contracts, and the forums for challenging federal procurements.  Students will learn fundamental compliance principles and how they intersect with applicable laws and regulations.  Through drafting and other hands-on exercises, students will learn practical legal and compliance skills that are foundational to the development, implementation, and maintenance of effective compliance programs.   Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 4005 Banking & Financial Services Compliance

    (3 hrs.)

    This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of banking and financial services compliance and the intersection of these principles with applicable laws and regulations.  This course surveys the basic laws, regulations, and policies that constitute U.S. banking and financing regulation.  Students will also learn the key elements of effective banking and financial services compliance programs, including drafting and implementing compliance policies and procedures, educating through training, auditing and monitoring, and detecting and remediating compliance failures.  Through drafting and other hands-on exercises, students will learn practical skills that are foundational to the development, implementation, and maintenance of effective compliance programs.  Emphasis will be placed on learning practical legal and compliance skills and techniques relevant to the banking and financial services industries. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 4006 Anti-Corruption Law

    (3 hrs.)

    This course will analyze causes and consequences of corruption, international anticorruption conventions criminalizing transnational bribery and enhancing public sector transparency, integrity and accountability and the extent of and challenges to enforcement. It will also discuss private sector compliance programs, development assistance integrity measures and sanctions programs, and multilateral and multi-stakeholder transparency initiatives. Through drafting and other hands-on exercises, students will learn practical legal and compliance skills that are foundational to the development, implementation, and maintenance of effective anti-corruption compliance programs across a variety of industries.  Emphasis will be placed on learning practical legal and compliance skills and techniques. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 5001 Cyber Law

    (3 hrs.)

    This course surveys critical subjects of Internet law and regulation, beginning with theoretical and jurisdictional questions, and proceeding to major substantive issues, including the regulation of intermediaries, privacy, speech, and computer access, among others. The approach considers the questions of (a) who regulates, (b) what content is regulated, and (c) what mechanisms are used to accomplish regulatory objectives. The class aims to provide a practical survey of key areas of Internet law, identifying the animating principles and major moving parts of relevant legislation and precedent. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
  

  • MLS - 5002 Electronically Stored Information - eDiscovery

    (3 hrs.)

    The ubiquitous use of computers, the Internet and Internet-related technology has dramatically changed the litigation landscape. Information sources are growing rapidly. The identification, collection, preservation and production of Electronically Stored Information (ESI) in response to discovery (“eDiscovery”) are some of the most challenging problems in litigation today. This course provides a basic understanding of the legal and practical parameters of eDiscovery and electronic case management. This course examines the legal and technological issues surrounding the use of electronically stored information during the litigation process. Students review and evaluate efforts made by professional groups and the courts to create reasonable parameters allowing parties to comply with their discovery obligations and ethical responsibilities in the adversary system. Pending Faculty Approval. Only available to MLS students starting April 2019 and later.
 

Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Catalog Navigation
  Catalog Home
  Introduction
  Academic Programs
  Activities, Awards, and Services
  Tuition and Fees
  Law School Regulations
  Course Descriptions
  Honor Code for the Washington College of Law