Perspectives on Sovereignty - Native American Law

LAW9032
Section 1, Spring 25

Schedule Information

Enrollment: 2/12
Credits: 3
Days Time Room Start Date End Date

Tue

 		1130-1330 WB164 01/21/2025 04/22/2025

Course Description

This course provides students with knowledge regarding the history, development and salient legal issues facing tribal nations in the United States. We examine the legal relationships among Indian nations and the U.S. government, state governments, and individuals. The course will cover both the historical development of Native American law and contemporary issues, including tribal sovereignty, property, descent and distribution, child custody, natural resources, gaming, environmental laws, civil and criminal jurisdiction. The course will not cover Alaska Natives and Hawaiian aboriginal rights. The course is a primer in effective representation of both tribal nations and non-Indian clients in transacting business with tribal nations.

Course Requirements

Exam Information

Final Type (if any): None

Description: A closed book Flex exam will be required at the end of the semester.

Written Work Product

Sixty percent (60%) of the final grade will be based on a student’s short essays (no more than 1.5 pages each) in response to hypotheticals on a choice of five (5) topics covered in class. The five (5) topic areas will be posted on Canvas on the first day of class, and the response essays are due via CANVAS by noon on the Wednesday before the next class. Students should refer to the Class Syllabus as to when a topic will be covered. Any changes to the Class Syllabus will be announced in Class and posted on Canvas. Your familiarity with topic areas through the short essay responses will help you prepare for the final exam.

Other Work

There will be ~ 30-60 pages of reading required in advance of each class. Owing to the volume of material, the class is essentially a lecture class with 2-4 breakout sessions employing research tools unique to the practice of Native American Law.

Other Course Details

Prerequisites: Concurrencies: Constitutional Law (LAW 6001) is recommended as a pre- or co-requisite, but not required.

Exclusive With: Native American Law (7114)

Laptops Allowed: Yes

First Day Attendance Required: No

Course Resources: David M. Getches, Charles E. Wilkinson, Jr., Robert A. Williams L.M. Fletcher & Kristen A. Carpenter, Cases and Materials on Federal Indian Law. 7th Ed. Supplemental materials provided in electronic form via Canvas

Graduation Requirements

Satisfies Understanding Bias/Racism/Cross-Cultural Competency requirement: Yes

Satisfies Writing Requirement: No

Credits For Prof. Skills Requirement: No

Satisfies Professional Ethics: No

Additional Course Information

Schedule No.: 125218766

Modified Type: ABA Seminar

Cross Listed: No

Waitlist Count: 0

Concentrations: Constitutional Law , Jurisprudence and Comparative Law , Race and Law

Evaluation Portal Via LawWeb Opens: Tuesday, April 22, 12:01 AM

Evaluation Portal Via LawWeb Closes: Sunday, April 27, 11:59 PM

Information reflected on this page was last refreshed at: Friday, January 17, 2025 - 7:04 AM *

*During open enrollment periods, live enrollment data may be found in SIS.