All VLS Courses

Digital Drafting

Focuses on how new technologies affect legal drafting, and surveys the historical background of law and technology; the logical basis for such legal documents as contracts, wills, statutes and regulations; and the theory of embedding law in code. The course  also considers the secondary effects on law, lawyering and the legal profession likely to arise from the digitization of many legal tasks. In addition to the reading and class discussions, students will learn basic programming techniques and will undertake drafting projects. 

Dispute Resolution Clinic I

Trains students to mediate disputes through participation in local court mediation programs.  Weekly seminars focus on conflict theory, mediation techniques, litigation strategies, public policy and social justice issues, as well as ethical and licensing concerns. A portion of each class devoted to clinic-style rounds, enabling students to present the cases they have mediated for discussion and feedback. 

Dispute Resolution Clinic II

Advanced clinic to further develop mediation skills throught participation in mediations in a variety of local court mediation programs and attend weekly seminars.

Earth Law

Examines assumptions underlying environmental, constitutional, corporate, and other laws, and how those assumptions impede our ability to live cooperatively and sustainably with the natural world. Identifies legal, governance, and economic systems that better recognize the inherent rights of all people and the natural world.

Download the 2013 Course Syllabus

Ecology

Explores the principles of ecology using an interdisciplinary approach and field-based work. Course work stresses the inventorying of biotic and physical components of a landscape, examining how these components are distributed, and determining what forces drive these patterns. Topics include interpreting the natural and cultural histories of a landscape, biodiversity conservation, and the scientific method, among others.

Download 2013 Course Syllabus

Ecology of Food and Agriculture

A critical examination of several case studies drawn broadly from the science, law, politics, economics and policy of food and agriculture.  The course also has the broader goals of teaching the student to critically read the scientific literature, and to effectively apply science in diverse legal and political settings. 

Ecosystem Conservation Strategies

This course will focus on the conservation theory behind landscape scale projects and specific implementation actions. Case studies will draw conclusions for lawyers and practitioners. The course will involve lectures and discussion. Materials will draw on actual cases and projects involving The Nature Conservancy and other conservation organizations.

Election Law

This seminar examines legislative and judicial regulation of the political process.  It stresses two main themes: 1) the ways in which Congress and the state legislatures regulate campaigns, elections, and participants in the political process and 2) the ways in which courts can justifiably intervene in that process.

Employment Discrimination Law

Examines federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, and sexual identity.  In particular, the course examinesTitle VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and state laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and identity.

Employment Law

Examines areas of federal and state labor law which regulate the employment relationship and which provide minimum protection outside of collective bargaining.  Major topics considered include wrongful discharge, post-employment liability, employee privacy, genetic and drug testing, and employee welfare and retirement benefits (ERISA).