UIC Law Introduces 9 New Special Topics Courses to the Curriculum
UIC Law is proud to introduce nine new special topic courses to it's curriculum, available beginning in spring 2025. All special topic courses are listed as LAW 594 in the my.uic.edu catalog and each requires successful completion of all 1L courses.
ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND LEGAL TECHNOLOGY Heading link
ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND LEGAL TECHNOLOGY
Instructor: Claire Johnson Raba
CRN: 47883
Credit hours: 2
Meeting Time & Days: Mondays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Description: Students enrolled in Access to Justice & Legal Technology will work hands-on with emerging legal technology tools to solve access-to-justice problems. This class requires no prior coding experience and will explore new and innovative ways to increase access to justice and identify challenges in deploying technology in the provision of legal services for people without access to a lawyer.
This class partners with community-based organizations and the UIC Law Clinics to develop tools for unrepresented litigants and for advocates. Students will use no-code tools to learn about uses for generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), document automation, mobile-friendly chatbots and webapps to help people understand and assert their rights. Guest lectures from subject matter experts, legal technologists, and access-to justice advocates will guide students in understanding uses for legal technology in practice.
There is no conventional exam in this course. Instead, students will work in teams to solve an access-to-justice problem, resulting in a live app that will be used by community members or advocates. Students will write short reflection papers on their understanding of the law in social contexts, the role of technology in the provisions of legal services, and ethical issues in the deployment of legal technology solutions. There is no textbook for this course. All assigned readings will be posted on Blackboard.
AI GOVERNANCE Heading link
AI GOVERNANCE
Instructor: Sean Vargas-Barlow
CRN: 47885
Credit hours: 3
Meeting Time & Days: Wednesdays 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Description: In this course, students will learn about the principles and frameworks that ensure the responsible use of AI. Students will gain an understanding of AI and ML, the diverse types of AI systems, and the technology stack that underlies their operation. Moving beyond technical aspects, the course delves into the legal and ethical considerations surrounding AI, equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate this evolving field. Students will also gain insight into decision-making with AI and the importance of fairness and transparency in creating explainable AI systems. In addition, they will learn the practical aspects of implementing an AI governance program which includes learning how to draft internal AI principles and use policies and how to conduct AI risk impact assessments.
There is no exam for this course. There is one textbook with additional readings assigned via Blackboard. The textbook is “Determann’s Field Guide to Artificial Intelligence Law” by Lothar Determann.
courses Heading link
CONTEMPORARY PROBLEMS IN INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS LAW
Instructor: Stuart Ford
CRN: 47886
Credit hours: 2
Meeting Time & Days: Mondays 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Description: This course explores how international human rights law applies to contemporary human rights issues. Students will choose a contemporary human rights issue, then research and write a paper about how international human rights law applies to that problem. Recommended prerequisites: International Human Rights Law (LAW 512) or International Law (LAW 484).
CRIMINAL SENTENCING Heading link
CRIMINAL SENTENCING
Instructor: Hugh Mundy
CRN: 47884
Credit hours: 2
Meeting Time & Days: Thursdays 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Description: This course will cover criminal sentencing statutes and guidelines, with a focus on federal law. We will discuss the purposes of punishment, the types of sentences, the constitutional limits on sentencing procedure, the sentencing guidelines, victim impact evidence, and due process issues related to sentencing. There is no final exam. Instead, final grades will be based upon two writing assignments – a short writing assignment submitted at the semester’s mid-point and a lengthier paper due at the semester’s conclusion.
CRYPTOCURRENCY Heading link
CRYPTOCURRENCY
Instructor: Arvind Sabu
CRN: 47887
Credit hours: 2
Meeting Time & Days: Mondays 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Description: This seminar covers the emerging legal and regulatory framework around cryptocurrencies. It will cover theoretical foundations of regulating cryptocurrencies, the basics of the technology, and policy statements. We then move on to specific examples of regulating or legislating crypto-currency, including whether and what cryptocurrencies constitute securities, tax reporting for cryptocurrencies, and attempts to offer a legislative framework for stablecoins.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Heading link
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Instructor: Debra Stark
CRN: 43908
Credit hours: 3
Meeting Time & Days: Wednesdays 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Description: In this course students will learn about Domestic Violence (also referred to as Intimate Partner Violence) and the key laws enacted in Illinois to help DV survivors and their children to become safer and able to recover from the many forms of abuse they have experienced. These Illinois laws include:
(a) Orders of Protection and Mandatory Police Response to DV under the Domestic Violence Act;
(b) Housing Protections under the Safe Homes Act, Eviction Act, Human Rights Act, and Certain Anti-Retaliatory Laws for Contacting 911;
(c) Employment Protections under the Victims Economic Security & Safety Act;
(d) Crime Victim Compensation Act; and
(e) Allocation of Parenting time/Decision-Making and Restrictions on Parenting Time under the Illinois Marriage & Dissolution of Marriage Act.
The course will also briefly discuss certain Illinois criminal laws, and briefly discuss federal laws relating to immigration protections, debt protections, and tax liability relief. There is no conventional style exam in this course. Instead, to improve the community and legal response to DV students will be assigned to one of the following projects: (i) perform a Community Education Presentation based on certain assigned topics discussed in class (ii) an In-Class Presentation based on student research and analysis on an assigned topic, or (iii) work on one of our Law Reform Projects. Students will also write a brief Reflection Paper (as a “take-home exam”) where they reflect upon what they have learned in the course that they can use now and in their future legal career, and consider how society’s response to DV can be improved upon. There is no textbook for this course. All assigned readings will be posted on Blackboard.
LAW & DEMOCRACY Heading link
LAW & DEMOCRACY
Instructor: Steven Schwinn
CRN: 47367
Credit hours: 2
Meeting Time & Days: Thursdays 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Description: This course will focus on the law of democracy, including such issues as constitutional governance, the rule of law, the right to participate in democratic governance, and more. In this context, we’ll examine democratic backsliding and threats to democratic governance in recent decades. We’ll focus primarily on backsliding and threats within the United States, but we’ll also take a peek at backsliding and threats in other democracies around the world. Students will identify a topic (with the professor’s help) and write a research paper or develop an approved project. Students may earn an additional credit (for a total of 3 credits) by adding a credit of independent written work (and writing a longer paper or project).
LAW AT THE INTERSECTION Heading link
LAW AT THE INTERSECTION
Instructor: Kevin Hopkins
CRN: 47096
Credit hours: 2
Meeting Time & Days: Thursdays 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Description: “Law at the Intersection…” is a course designed for students who have completed the basic Torts course but who desire a deeper examination of Tort Law as it intersects with other legal disciplines (e.g. property law, criminal law, constitutional law, health law) and some of the public policy concerns and obstacles that Courts and Legislatures often encounter when attempting to right social wrongs or to provide relief to litigants in civil lawsuits. The Course will include discussions of topics such as: “the rescue doctrine” and the dilemmas often faced by the professional rescuer, defamation lawsuits involving public plaintiffs, punitive damage awards and their constitutionality, the tort of invasion of privacy as it intersects with the individual’s autonomy and freedom to make medical choices, the “Castle Doctrine” and “stand your ground” laws.
Final examination: May 8, 2025, 2:00 pm
MENTAL HEALTH LAW Heading link
MENTAL HEALTH LAW
Instructor: Amy Campbell
CRN: 48022 / 48047
Credit hours: 2–3
Meeting Time & Days: Tuesdays 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 pm (synchronous online)
Description: This two-credit survey course explores foundational legal concepts and key legal, policy, and ethical issues raised by the law’s interaction with the mental health system and those treated/served within it or impacted by it. Core topics covered include informed consent and
confidentiality, the right to refuse or consent to treatment, professional liability and a “duty to warn/protect,” definitions of legal competence (as related to but distinguished from “capacity”), guardianship, civil commitment, and criminal responsibility and sentencing. We will also investigate the impact of stigma and the development (and shortcomings) of anti-discrimination laws to remedy such, as well as issues raised by the intersection of mental disability with other identities (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status).
The course will cover state and federal laws (statutory, regulatory, and judicially crafted) impacting mental health, and how different frameworks could advance efforts at equity and inclusion. Students may also elect to collaborate on a community-focused policy project for an additional credit. Students interested in this option should reach out to Professor Campbell (campbela@uic.edu) as soon as possible, and no later than Friday, January 17, 2025 (the first Friday of the spring semester), to discuss policy project opportunities. Prerequisites: Law Students: JD 401, 405, 406, 407, 411, 414, 415, 416, 402, 412 (Core 1L courses). Non-Law Students: Permission of instructor and home program advisor.
Final examination: April 29, 2025, 2:00 pm (online)