Course Schedule

The law and policies that govern the internet touch on all aspects of our digital ecosystem. As lawyers, you can expect to engage with these issues whether you are interested in corporate law, litigation, or regulatory law. This course is intended to be a primer on the core legal frameworks that govern the internet, including those that were not designed with the internet in mind, but must still adapt to the changing technology landscape.

There is no prior knowledge required for this course. We will review tech fundamentals in the beginning of the course, going over the origins of the internet, how it was built (tubes are not involved), why it was built, and how it has changed over time (Web 1.0, Web 2.0, Web 3.0). You will gain familiarity with technical concepts such as code, algorithms, protocols, servers, open-source, the backbone, hashes, etc.

We will review the regulatory bodies at the state, federal, and international levels that govern the internet and the different — and at times conflicting — roles they play. We will consider issues such as net neutrality, internet speech and Section 230, encryption, cybersecurity, data privacy, and intermediary liability, among other things.

Grades will be based on: 30% class participation,* 15% 1,000 word paper, 20% 1,500 word paper, 35% 4,000 word paper.

*It is important to me and the ethos of the class that all individuals feel equally capable of engaging with the material and gaining value from the discussions. Therefore, if any individual is concerned with the class participation portion of the grade for personal reasons, I encourage them to reach out privately and we can work to establish an alternative grading mechanism.

This seminar explores the intersection of Judaism, Jews, and international human rights law, examining how Jewish teachings, values, and traditions shape perspectives on human dignity, social justice, and ethical responsibility. It will analyze challenges and opportunities for Jewish law, Jews, and Israel in engaging with contemporary human rights discourse. Topics include antisemitism, discrimination, law as a political tool, state-social movement dynamics, and biases in international human rights law.

As a survey course, it covers subjects that could warrant full-semester study. The syllabus includes provocative readings that offer critical insights into the role of law, the strengths and limitations of human rights approaches, and Israel’s place in the international system and Jewish Diaspora life. Readings will include Jewish texts, contemporary sources, and international legal documents.

Students will gain knowledge of Jewish and human rights law while critically reflecting on whether Jewish historical experiences—such as antisemitism, exile, and the Holocaust—offer unique perspectives on human rights advocacy. The course encourages philosophical inquiry into ethics and law, examining how Jewish traditions intersect with modern human rights concerns. Ultimately, it provides a framework for understanding this relationship and contributing to contemporary debates from both Jewish and human rights law perspectives.

Various sports can be seen as comprising distinct legal systems. Each sport, after all, has its own set of rules, many of which are written and some of which are unwritten. Sports thus present an array of issues that are worthy subjects for legal analysis. And since each sport has its own set of rules, sports are a ripe subject for comparative law analysis. We can look at how similar issues are addressed across different sports. 

Some issues present questions that are readily identifiable as legal in nature. The writing of a particular rule (say, what is a “catch” in football?  in baseball?) requires legal skills. More generally, how should the rule makers decide whether a standard be used (e.g., unnecessary delay) as opposed to a more objective measure (e.g., 25 seconds to serve in tennis); or whether a rule should include a state of mind requirement? What should the standard of review be for replay officials? Should replay even be allowed? If so, when? Should officials be given discretion (like prosecutors) in whether to call a penalty? Should the rules be applied at the end of the game the same as at the beginning?

Other issues are not so obvious. Rule violations have consequences (e.g., runner advances a base, five-yard penalty, free throw). Is it helpful to think of these as the cost of an infraction (think, breach of contract) or a sanction (think, criminal law)? What turns on this? Should a sport employ a no-harm, no-consequence regime or impose a cost/sanction regardless of whether there is any harm (e.g., free throw after a made shot in basketball)? How do/should we think about gamesmanship, cheating, and sportsmanship? Should there be rules about the use of performance-enhancing drugs? If so, what is a performance-enhancing drug? And there’s lots more.

Grades for the seminar will be based on class presentations, participation in class discussion, and a substantial written paper.

Various sports can be seen as comprising distinct legal systems. Each sport, after all, has its own set of rules, many of which are written and some of which are unwritten. Sports thus present an array of issues that are worthy subjects for legal analysis. And since each sport has its own set of rules, sports are a ripe subject for comparative law analysis. We can look at how similar issues are addressed across different sports. 

Some issues present questions that are readily identifiable as legal in nature. The writing of a particular rule (say, what is a “catch” in football?  in baseball?) requires legal skills. More generally, how should the rule makers decide whether a standard be used (e.g., unnecessary delay) as opposed to a more objective measure (e.g., 25 seconds to serve in tennis); or whether a rule should include a state of mind requirement? What should the standard of review be for replay officials? Should replay even be allowed? If so, when? Should officials be given discretion (like prosecutors) in whether to call a penalty? Should the rules be applied at the end of the game the same as at the beginning?

Other issues are not so obvious. Rule violations have consequences (e.g., runner advances a base, five-yard penalty, free throw). Is it helpful to think of these as the cost of an infraction (think, breach of contract) or a sanction (think, criminal law)? What turns on this? Should a sport employ a no-harm, no-consequence regime or impose a cost/sanction regardless of whether there is any harm (e.g., free throw after a made shot in basketball)? How do/should we think about gamesmanship, cheating, and sportsmanship? Should there be rules about the use of performance-enhancing drugs? If so, what is a performance-enhancing drug? And there’s lots more.

Grades for the seminar will be based on class presentations, participation in class discussion, and a substantial written paper.

Various sports can be seen as comprising distinct legal systems. Each sport, after all, has its own set of rules, many of which are written and some of which are unwritten. Sports thus present an array of issues that are worthy subjects for legal analysis. And since each sport has its own set of rules, sports are a ripe subject for comparative law analysis. We can look at how similar issues are addressed across different sports. 

Some issues present questions that are readily identifiable as legal in nature. The writing of a particular rule (say, what is a “catch” in football?  in baseball?) requires legal skills. More generally, how should the rule makers decide whether a standard be used (e.g., unnecessary delay) as opposed to a more objective measure (e.g., 25 seconds to serve in tennis); or whether a rule should include a state of mind requirement? What should the standard of review be for replay officials? Should replay even be allowed? If so, when? Should officials be given discretion (like prosecutors) in whether to call a penalty? Should the rules be applied at the end of the game the same as at the beginning?

Other issues are not so obvious. Rule violations have consequences (e.g., runner advances a base, five-yard penalty, free throw). Is it helpful to think of these as the cost of an infraction (think, breach of contract) or a sanction (think, criminal law)? What turns on this? Should a sport employ a no-harm, no-consequence regime or impose a cost/sanction regardless of whether there is any harm (e.g., free throw after a made shot in basketball)? How do we/should we think about gamesmanship, cheating, and sportsmanship? Should there be rules about the use of performance-enhancing drugs? If so, what is a performance-enhancing drug? And there’s lots more.

Grades for the seminar will be based on class presentations, participation in class discussion, and a substantial written paper.

This seminar explores issues raised by the jury as an institution of democratic justice. Issues to be discussed include: what does it mean for the jury to be a "representative" body of the community? Do jurors divide along racial, gender, and ethnic lines? Is there any "science" in scientific jury selection? Do peremptory challenges serve valid purposes or should they be abolished? Should jurors be permitted to nullify the law in order to render a verdict according to conscience? Do jurors understand and follow their instructions? Why do we require criminal juries to reach unanimous verdicts? Special attention will be given to jury selection and deliberation in death penalty trials.

This seminar will focus on cutting-edge research in law and economics. In most of the classes, I will host a workshop during which a leading scholar will present a paper. In the weeks in which there is no outside speaker, two groups of students will each present one to the two papers that will be presented by the outside speakers in the next two workshops. All students are required to write short critiques of most of the speakers’ papers. Your critiques will be graded and made available to the speaker.

This course will be taught entirely online via Zoom.

This seminar will focus on cutting-edge research in law and economics. In most of the classes, I will host a workshop during which a leading scholar will present a paper. In the weeks in which there is no outside speaker, two groups of students will each present one to the two papers that will be presented by the outside speakers in the next two workshops. All students are required to write short critiques of most of the speakers’ papers. Your critiques will be graded and made available to the speaker.

The Endangered Species Act has been labeled "the pit bull of environmental statutes" because of the strong legal protection it provides to imperiled plants and animals. But over 50 years after its near-unanimous passage by Congress, the Act is a lightning rod for controversy. It is often criticized by developers for causing delays and higher costs, and by environmentalists for failing to live up to its full potential. The National Environmental Policy Act has morphed from an almost-universally praised "common sense" law intended to encourage federal agencies to "look before they leap" into a widely criticized, process-laden behemoth that environmental advocates and developers alike agree should be amended. This seminar will explore the records of the ESA and NEPA and the extent to which each hinders (or not) economic development in the United States. We will focus on the key legal issues associated with implementation of the laws and examine the unique challenges they face when addressing modern environmental threats, such as biodiversity loss and climate change. We will read the statutes, relevant cases, and regulations, and articles that discuss the use of the ESA and NEPA by advocates whose motives are not always aligned with the goals of the laws. During the last several weeks of class, students will present their seminar papers on topics related to the ESA and NEPA. Students may choose to develop papers about a range of relevant subjects, including the challenges of balancing species protection with economic development, the tensions between federal and state/local control over activities that affect species, and the track record of past administrative efforts to update/reform the ESA's and NEPA's implementation.

This seminar will focus on cutting-edge research in law and economics. In most of the classes, we will host a workshop during which a leading scholar will present a paper. In the weeks in which there is no outside speaker, two groups of students will each present one to the two papers that will be presented by the outside speakers in the next two workshops. All students are required to write short critiques of most of the speakers’ papers. Your critiques will be graded and made available to the speaker.

his seminar will focus on cutting-edge research in law and economics. In most of the classes, I will host a workshop during which a leading scholar will present a paper. In the weeks in which there is no outside speaker, two groups of students will each present one to the two papers that will be presented by the outside speakers in the next two workshops. All students are required to write short critiques of most of the speakers’ papers. Your critiques will be graded and made available to the speaker.

This seminar will focus on cutting-edge research in law and economics. In most of the classes, I will host a workshop during which a leading scholar will present a paper. In the weeks in which there is no outside speaker, two groups of students will each present one to the two papers that will be presented by the outside speakers in the next two workshops. All students are required to write short critiques of most of the speakers’ papers. Your critiques will be graded and made available to the speaker.

This seminar will focus on cutting-edge research in law and economics. In most of the classes, I will host a workshop during which a leading scholar will present a paper. In the weeks in which there is no outside speaker, two groups of students will each present one to the two papers that will be presented by the outside speakers in the next two workshops. All students are required to write short critiques of most of the speakers’ papers. Your critiques will be graded and made available to the speaker.

This seminar will focus on cutting-edge research in law and economics. In most of the classes, I will host a workshop during which a leading scholar will present a paper. In the weeks in which there is no outside speaker, two groups of students will each present one to the two papers that will be presented by the outside speakers in the next two workshops. All students are required to write short critiques of most of the speakers’ papers. Your critiques will be graded and made available to the speaker.

This seminar will focus on cutting-edge research in law and economics. In most of the classes, I will host a workshop during which a leading scholar will present a paper. In the weeks in which there is no outside speaker, two groups of students will each present one to the two papers that will be presented by the outside speakers in the next two workshops. All students are required to write short critiques of most of the speakers’ papers. Your critiques will be graded and made available to the speaker.

The seminar will be a study of Ronald Dworkin's theory of law and its critics. Dworkin is one of the most influential thinkers in Anglo-American political and legal philosophy of the past half century. The study will concentrate on Dworkin’s masterwork Law’s Empire and (time permitting) will examine his later work Justice for Hedgehogs.

This course will be a survey of different topics in legal philosophy and constitutional theory. It will be organized around a series of six workshops each featuring a different scholar, who will present and discuss his or her work. The class will also meet during the weeks when there are no workshops. At those meetings, we will read and discuss materials on the topic of the next scheduled workshop in preparation  for its discussion, and we will also extend the discussions of the previous workshop through short presentations by the members of the class. Written coursework will consist of two papers, each of which will be a critical discussion of ideas presented in one or more of the six workshop papers and discussions.

This course will be a survey of different topics in legal philosophy and constitutional theory. It will be organized around a series of six workshops each featuring a different scholar, who will present and discuss his or her work. The class will also meet during the weeks when there are no workshops. At those meetings, we will read and discuss materials on the topic of the next scheduled workshop in preparation  for its discussion, and we will also extend the discussions of the previous workshop through short presentations by the members of the class. Written coursework will consist of two papers, each of which will be a critical discussion of ideas presented in one or more of the six workshop papers and discussions.

This course will be a survey of different topics in legal philosophy and constitutional theory. It will be organized around a series of six workshops each featuring a different scholar, who will present and discuss his or her work. The class will also meet during the weeks when there are no workshops. At those meetings, we will read and discuss materials on the topic of the next scheduled workshop in preparation  for its discussion, and we will also extend the discussions of the previous workshop through short presentations by the members of the class. Written coursework will consist of two papers, each of which will be a critical discussion of ideas presented in one or more of the six workshop papers and discussions.

This is a colloquium-style writing seminar on contemporary issues in American law and politics. Most of the sessions will take the form of a workshop in which a leading scholar in law or political science, typically from another University, will present a work-in-progress. Students will be required to provide written critiques (roughly 5-10 pages) of these projects that will typically be provided to the presenting scholar, and will receive intensive personal feedback from both professors on how to improve their writing and critical analysis.

Law and Religion in the Modern Middle East is a seminar that examines the laws that govern religion and religious expression in Middle Eastern national constitutions, with a special focus on both the free exercise and establishment clause of Islam as the religion of the state. We shall analyze emerging legal understandings of authority and rights, and explore the interconnections of “religion” and “law”—as traditions of thought as well as sets of practices, modes of relation as well as constellations of values. In this seminar, we will consider what counts as religion for constitutional and legal purposes. Participants will be expected to read academic legal commentary on the formulations of religion in the modern Middle East. The seminar will provide extensive case-law from lower and higher courts addressing issues that affect Muslims, Christians, Jews, and other faith communities. To better situate the classroom discussions, students will read historical, anthropological, and sociological studies on the topics of family law, international religious freedom law, and leading religions’ doctrines and teachings concerning religious freedom.

Law and Religion in the Modern Middle East is a seminar that examines the laws that govern religion and religious expression in Middle Eastern national constitutions, with a special focus on both the free exercise and establishment clause of Islam as the religion of the state. We shall analyze emerging legal understandings of authority and rights, and explore the interconnections of “religion” and “law”—as traditions of thought as well as sets of practices, modes of relation as well as constellations of values. In this seminar, we will consider what counts as religion for constitutional and legal purposes. Participants will be expected to read academic legal commentary on the formulations of religion in the modern Middle East. The seminar will provide extensive case-law from lower and higher courts addressing issues that affect Muslims, Christians, Jews, and other faith communities. To better situate the classroom discussions, students will read historical, anthropological, and sociological studies on the topics of family law, international religious freedom law, and leading religions’ doctrines and teachings concerning religious freedom.