The course will focus on the impact of the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendments in criminal trials. The course will study the historical perspective, the current application and the likely future applications of the amendments. A fundamental understanding of the criminal trial process is required. Prerequisite: LEGAL 250

This course focuses on the U.S. Supreme Court and its rulings regarding sex and sexuality. We will examine several hot button issues confronted by the Supreme Court, such as reproduction (sterilization/contraception/abortion); marriage (polygamous/interracial/same sex); pornography/obscenity; sodomy; sexual assault on college campuses; and sex education in public schools. Some questions we will consider include: What is the constitutionality of government regulation of sexual behavior, sexual material, reproduction, and sexuality and how and why has this changed over time?

This course will explore the history, purpose, procedure and practice of specialty or problem-solving courts (e.g. drug treatment courts, mental health courts, veteran's treatment courts) in the American criminal justice system in general and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in particular. Students will be required to read and discuss articles, studies, manuals, reports, etc., related to the topic. Students will also be giving opportunity to observe local specialty court sessions (in person or virtually) and then discuss their observations.

This course involves in-depth study of the topic of human trafficking, often referred to as "modern day slavery." The course will explore the definition of the crime of human trafficking in the US and internationally and study the debates surrounding anti-trafficking laws and policies. We will examine the similarities and differences between slavery and human trafficking in the popular imagination and the law.

The course will focus on civil law and will deal with issues that are unique to each of the respective civil trial courts. Case studies will address the manner in which disputes are resolved by trial or settlement. Some of the issues to be examined are termination of parental rights, sexually dangerous person proceedings and administrative agency appeals. The course will also focus on the equitable jurisdiction of the courts, contract actions and an introduction to real property rights.

Public policies are not gender-neutral, and thus political actors play a crucial role in shaping gender relations in ways that produce and reproduce inequalities between genders. This course explores legal constructions of gender by introducing case law, federal legislation, and scholarly essays concerning sexual inequality in the United States. Special attention will be paid to grassroots movements, particularly those surrounding suffrage, political participation, reproduction, sexual activity, and marriage.

How do global processes give rise to legal change? Globalization is changing the contours of law and creating new global institutions and norms. This course takes an interdisciplinary approach to studying globalization, its relation to law, and the social, cultural and political changes that result.

This course will explore the role of mental healthcare law and procedure in the criminal justice system and will address how mentally ill clients are processed through the criminal justice system. Students will be introduced to the many mental health resources and treatment programs that are currently available to assist individuals. We will also explore contemporary issues in mental health and criminal justice, such as the treatment of mentally ill juveniles and women within the criminal justice system as well as the accessibility of mental healthcare services for at-risk groups.

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