Classes

Child Welfare Law and Policy

Child Welfare Law and Policy explores the factors that shape policies and perceptions concerning abused and neglected children, including the constitutional, statutory, and regulatory framework for child protection; the role of courts, agencies, and nonprofits in this arena; and varying disciplinary perspectives of professionals working on these issues.

Children's Rights

Children's Rights explores the emergence of children's rights in both international and domestic law, with a strong focus on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which the U.S. has declined to ratify. This course examines the effectiveness of treaties in changing the actual treatment of children and explores the processes through which children's rights have been incorporated into domestic U.S. law.

Children's Rights Appellate Practicum

Children's Rights Appellate Practicum students evaluate pending and looming federal and state appellate cases implicating children's rights. Students participate in researching and writing briefs in cases posing issues in substantive areas including child welfare, First Amendment law, juvenile delinquency, adoption and custody law, and education law.

Comparative and International Family Law

Comparative and International Family Law explores children's issues (child protection, children's rights, status of nonmarital children, nontraditional families, adoption) as well as general issues of family law.

Kids in Conflict with the Law

Kids in Conflict with the Law provides a detailed study of the juvenile delinquency system from its creation in the early 1900s to present day. It explores issues such as search, seizure, and interrogation of minors; waiver from juvenile to adult court; and the relationship between school systems and juvenile delinquency.

Parent, Child, State

Parent, Child, State covers child abuse and neglect, juvenile justice, adoption and foster care, and discusses education and health entitlements of children and conflicts between parents and children over medical decision-making, religion, schooling and emancipation.