General Course Descriptions for Terms: local government
795 - State & Local Government Law
Study the allocation of authority within and between state and local governments. Begin with analysis of state constitutions and the three branches of state government. Study how state and local governments interact, covering home rule and intrastate preemption as well as conflicts between localities. Analyze how local governments are financed. Consider the practical, normative, and theoretical implications of current doctrines and policies and explore how state and local government law plays out in the context of contemporary disputes, including over housing, education, and more.
830 - Land Use Controls
Limitations imposed upon the use of privately owned land by the court-made law of nuisance, by private covenant, and by public action; master plan, official map, subdivision regulation, zoning, and urban redevelopment. This course will attempt to demystify the legal system by providing an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the operation and functioning of the legal system and its impact on planning. The course will provide a brief historical overview of the operation of law within a federalist form of government and provide students with an appreciation of the behaviors and structures of the different units of government available to bring about sound planning outcomes. The course will introduce students to the basic legal principles governing the areas of local government, real estate, contract, planning, zoning, environmental, administrative, and constitutional law. The course will explore the role of planners and lawyers within this system. While the course is primarily focused on the legal system in the United States, students will be exposed to foreign legal systems for comparative purposes.
940 - State Democracy Research Initiative (SDRI) Research Seminar
Public law at the state level affects our everyday lives and shapes our national democracy. This research seminar, in collaboration with the law school’s State Democracy Research Initiative (SDRI), will examine state constitutions, state government institutions, and state democratic processes—topics that are too often overlooked in legal circles. The seminar will be interactive, with a mix of foundational readings, guest speakers, and hands-on research projects. Students will complete three written assignments over the course of the semester. Research topics may include analysis of state court decisions with a state or across states; analysis of state constitutional amendments; and analysis of the existing practices of state government institutions. Examples of recent SDRI projects are available on SDRI’s website. The Law School’s course in State and Local Government Law or prior experience working on issues of state or local government law are prerequisites of the course. [Within three days of enrollment, students must send the instructor an email describing their fulfillment of these requirements. Students are also welcome to note at that time whether they have interest in particular SDRI projects or subject areas.]
989 - Environmental Law & Practice
The course will provide an overview of major environmental laws including; • Clean Water Act • Clean Air Act • RCRA – solid and hazardous waste management • Hazardous substance management • CERCLA/Superfund • State and federal navigable waters laws • State and federal laws on groundwater and water use • Land use • NEPA/WEPA – environmental impact Provides an overview of the government affairs nature of environmental law, with special attention given to the structure of government, administrative law and local government law including practical procedures for obtaining legal objectives. Review actual case studies, permits, pleadings to demonstrate the fact specific and technical nature of addressing environmental law issues. Concludes with an application of these laws in permitting, commercial transactions and enforcement.