An analysis of the legal institutions of law through a social lens focusing on judicial interpretation, case law, statutes and regulations.

Participation in one weekend workshop/clinic is required; the date is TBD but is expected to be on a Saturday in early April.

The focus of this Practicum is a naturalization workshop whereby students will assist eligible Marylanders in applying for citizenship. Students will work with faculty, attorneys, and law students to design, plan, and implement a naturalization workshop, to take place during the second weekend of April in the spring semester. Students will participate in assisting applicants. Students will cultivate a range of skills, including outreach, direct services, working with interpreters, and proficiency in U.S. naturalization laws and processes.

Restriction: Must be enrolled in the Law and Society minor program. Cross-listed with GVPT331. Credit only granted for GVPT331 or MLAW358W.

Prerequisite: GVPT170; and GVPT331 or MLAW358W. Restriction: Must be enrolled in the Law and Society minor program. Credit only granted for GVPT432 or MLAW358Y.

A study of civil rights in the American consitutional context, emphasizing freedom of religion, freedom of expression, minority discrimination, and the rights of defendants.

Also offered as GVPT339P. Credit only granted for MLAW358Z or GVPT339P.

Restriction: Must be enrolled in the Law and Society minor program. Students not declared in the Law and Society minor should contact mlawprograms@umd.edu to request permission to register.

An exploration of the power police officers display when they apply their discretion to stop, question or arrest individuals. Students will dissect State and Federal Court decisions regarding appropriate use of these powers sanctioned by the Fourth Amendment.

Also offered as GVPT368N. Credit only granted for MLAW378F or GVPT368N.

Restriction: Must be enrolled in the Law and Society minor program. Students not declared in the Law and Society minor should contact mlawprograms@umd.edu to request permission to register.

From the evolution of tenant rights in the 20th century to the mortgage crisis of 2008, housing and land rights and disputes have figured prominently in how societies are shaped and develop over time. This course aims to explore some aspects of the diverse and increasingly complex body of laws, policies, and attempted solutions related to housing and land in a largely unequal world and society. How has private land ownership changed societies in the modern era? What is the role of the state in addressing housing shortages and injustices related to land and housing? What does a fundamental human right to housing look like in the real world? These issues, and others, including urbanization, re-colonization, climate change, and discrimination form the core of a course that will provide students with both local, national and international perspectives on a fundamental issue for all humans living today - shelter and sustenance.

Restriction: Must be in the Law and Society minor (MLAW).

This seminar will examine the impact of advancements in biosciences on a variety of legal and policy issues. Topics will likely include the doctrine of informed consent, physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia,assisted reproduction, conscientious refusals to provide medical care, the allocation and sale/donation of body parts and services, and medicaland law enforcement uses of genetic information, aswell as topics arising out of the Covid-19 pandemic. In examining these various issues,studentswill consider the content and consistency of current law,the policy goals motivating legal regulation, the impact of technological innovation, and directions for legal reform.

Also offered as GVPT339T. Credit only granted for MLAW378T or GVPT339T.

Restriction: Must be enrolled in the Law and Society minor program. Students not declared in the Law and Society minor should contact mlawprograms@umd.edu to request permission to register.

This course will examine the law, public policy, human resources practices, as well as sociology and economics underlying federal and state law regarding discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. Current controversies regarding "D.E.I." (diversity, equity and inclusion) make all aspects of this field highly controversial and contested right now. More broadly, this subject also provides a lens through which to consider adjacent elements of constitutional law, democracy and modern governance.

Restricted to students within the Law and Society minor.