This course is designed to deepen understandings of the ways that law intersects with policy, with politics, and with matters of governance through the exploration of some of the hot-button property topics of our time. Our focus will be on practical, on-the-ground conflicts and issues that well-made new choices in law and policy can help resolve. This year’s topics are likely to include ones that focus on land use and community governance; disaster planning and management; and intellectual property disputes within the sports realm. I may ask the class to select one of our topics from invitational lists. We will use an eclectic mix of materials that will include standard legal sources plus popular accounts and film. There will be guest-participants who are lawyers, interested parties, and decision-makers. Students will write a research paper which may, at her or his option, qualify for fulfillment of the writing requirement. If that requirement has already been satisfied, the student may write two shorter papers, instead. Students writing the long paper may write with one or more others, with the instructor’s permission. All topics and joint-paper methodologies are subject to instructor-approval. That said, the idea is for everyone to write on something he or she really wants to explore; to write well; and to enjoy the experience. Every year, papers written for this seminar have morphed into published student Notes. Topics will be culled for that potential, if folks so wish. Law Review Notes and those for other journals which began life as papers in this seminar have won prizes during the past several years.
Cohen, Jane M.