COURSE DESCRIPTION 2012 2013

Military Law

Mr. James Gallagher,

2 credits day; 2 credits evening.

Description is forthcoming

Elective Course

Take Home Exam Required

Municipal Law

Prof. Janice C. Griffith, Mr. Arthur S. Fulman,

2 credits day; 2 credits evening. Professor Fulman: Focuses on the structure an role of local government in a Federal system. Classes are a combination of lecture and discussion. Half of each class covers the casebook materials and half covers a discussion of weekly handouts provided by the instructor as well as specific nuts & bolts topics encountered by specialists in this area. Class participation is encouraged but not required or graded. There is a written final exam (closed book) usually consisting of 3-4 essay questions. Students are also required to attend one Local Government Council, Board or Committee meeting during the semester and submit a written summary (not more than two pages) of the student's observations about that meeting. The instructor's approach is to provide a dynamic understanding of what has become a rapidly evolving area of law. This course will examine the origins, choices, and forms of local governance. The relationships of municipalities to Federal, State, and County government will be reviewed in the context of centralization versus decentralization of power. The interaction of neighboring municipalities, inter-local compacts and conflicts, and city and suburban disputes will be discussed. How local governments relate to their citizens, business constituents, and public interest groups will be explored. The role of municipal public officials (elected and appointed) and public employees in developing and implementing policy decisions will be reviewed with particular emphasis on funding, education, environmental, and public safety choices.

Prerequisite: There are no prerequisites, but a general interest and knowledge about contemporary local political issues will be helpful

Elective Course

Final Exam Required