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Law and Disorder: Advanced Criminal Law

Current Offerings

Law and Disorder: Advanced Criminal Law (2029): This course is essentially an advanced criminal law class in which we will be studying selected criminal law/procedure issues. The only prerequisite is having taken Criminal Law. Each week you will be asked to watch a particular episode of the long-running television series Law and Order. As you may know there are nearly 1000 episodes, and we will be watching and discussing only a handful. There are many strong and differing opinions about favorite episodes, so it is likely we will not be studying one of your personal favorites. We will, however, discuss such recurring issues as police cutting corners in connection with 4th and 5th Amendment rights, the role of plea bargaining, the role of different actors in the system and so much more. The class will meet twice a week for 90 minutes. Classes will alternate between lectures and on-your-feet exercises, where a group of students will be "on panel," but in a slightly unusual way---they will be assigned roles in a scenario, and asked to carry out those roles by arguing for release or confinement at an arraignment, cross examining a witness, conducting voir dire or negotiating a proffer agreement...all with the participation and support of their fellow classmates, who will serve as judges, jurors, and, occasionally, clients. This is a class where students will get to sample not only the ideas of criminal law practice, but the feeling of being on your feet, speaking, strategizing, and crafting beautiful arguments. For that reason, we invite students to only consider this course if collaborative, participatory learning is of special interest. We will be asking students to put laptops away during class, so as to best focus on their colleagues and the subject matter. All students will be expected to write a paper on a criminal law topic raised during the class in lieu of a final exam. Special Instructions: This course can satisfy the Research "R" requirement. The instructor and the student must agree whether the student will receive "R" credit. For "R" credit, the paper is substantial and is based on independent research. After the term begins, students accepted into the course can transfer from section (01) into section (02), which meets the R requirement, with consent of the instructor. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Group Exercises, and Final Paper.

Sections

Law and Disorder: Advanced Criminal Law | LAW 2029 Section 01 Class #1113

  • 3 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
    • 1L: Winter Elective (Open to First-Year JD Students)
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

  • 2024-2025 Winter ( )
  • Tue, Thu
  • Room: LAW 90

Law and Disorder: Advanced Criminal Law | LAW 2029 Section 02 Class #1114

  • 3 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent
    • 1L: Winter Elective (Open to First-Year JD Students)
  • Graduation Requirements:
    • R -Research Requirement for Law Degree
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO4 - Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

  • 2024-2025 Winter ( )
  • Tue, Thu

Past Offerings

Law and Disorder: Advanced Criminal Law (2029): This seminar is essentially an advanced criminal law class in which we will be studying selected criminal law/procedure issues. The only prerequisite is having taken Criminal Law. Each week you will be asked to watch a particular episode of the long running television series: Law and Order or one of the spin-offs. As you may know there are nearly 1000 episodes and we will be watching and discussing only nine. There are many strong and differing opinions about favorite episodes, so it is likely we will not be studying one of your personal favorites. We will however, discuss such recurring issues like police cutting corners in connection with 4th and 5th Amendment rights, the role of plea bargaining, the role of different actors in the system and so much more. The class will meet twice a week for (60/75?) minutes. During the first class, we will watch selected portions of the television show (you will have already watched the episode prior to the class) and then we will then discuss, at a very high level, the criminal law issues which the show raises. During the second class, a few assigned students will undertake an in-depth analysis of those issues and will lead the discussion. All students will be expected to write a paper on a criminal law topic raised during the class in lieu of a final exam. Special Instructions: This course can satisfy the Research "R" requirement. The instructor and the student must agree whether the student will receive "R" credit. For "R" credit, the paper is substantial and is based on independent research. After the term begins, students accepted into the course can transfer from section (01) into section (02), which meets the R requirement, with consent of the instructor. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Final Paper.

Sections

Law and Disorder: Advanced Criminal Law | LAW 2029 Section 01 Class #1122

  • 3 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2023-2024 Winter
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Enrollment Limitations: Lottery 30
    • 1L: Winter Elective (Open to First-Year JD Students)
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

  • 2023-2024 Winter
    Schedule No Longer Available

Law and Disorder: Advanced Criminal Law | LAW 2029 Section 02 Class #35382

  • 3 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2023-2024 Winter
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Enrollment Limitations: Consent
  • Graduation Requirements:
    • R -Research Requirement for Law Degree
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
    • LO3 - Ability to Conduct Legal Research
    • LO4 - Ability to Communicate Effectively in Writing
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

  • 2023-2024 Winter
    Schedule No Longer Available

Law and Disorder: Advanced Criminal Law (2029): This seminar is essentially an advanced criminal law class in which we will be studying selected criminal law/procedure issues. The only prerequisite is having taken Criminal Law. Each week you will be asked to watch a particular episode of the long running television series: Law and Order or one of the spin-offs. As you may know there are nearly 1000 episodes and we will be watching and discussing only nine. There are many strong and differing opinions about favorite episodes, so it is likely we will not be studying one of your personal favorites. We will however, discuss such recurring issues like police cutting corners in connection with 4th and 5th Amendment rights, the role of plea bargaining, the role of different actors in the system and so much more. The class will meet twice a week for (60/75?) minutes. During the first class, we will watch selected portions of the television show (you will have already watched the episode prior to the class) and then we will then discuss, at a very high level, the criminal law issues which the show raises. During the second class, a few assigned students will undertake an in-depth analysis of those issues and will lead the discussion. All students will be expected to write a paper on a criminal law topic raised during the class in lieu of a final exam. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Class Participation, Final Paper.

Sections

Law and Disorder: Advanced Criminal Law | LAW 2029 Section 01 Class #1055

  • 2 Units
  • Grading: Law Honors/Pass/Restrd Cr/Fail
  • 2022-2023 Winter
    Schedule No Longer Available
  • Enrollment Limitations: Lottery 30
    • 1L: Winter Elective (Open to First-Year JD Students)
  • Learning Outcomes Addressed:
    • LO1 - Substantive and Procedural Law
    • LO2 - Legal Analysis and Reasoning
  • Course Category:
    • Criminal Justice

  • 2022-2023 Winter
    Schedule No Longer Available
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