Teaching

This course provides an introduction to the law of property.  Our focus includes both real property (land and things attached to land) and personal property (movable objects).  The first section of the course covers the sources of property rights, including the acquisition of property by capture, creation, find, adverse possession, and gift.  In the second section we discuss forms of ownership, including possessory estates and future interests.  Our third section examines concurrent ownership of property, including marital property.  We then discuss landlord-tenant relationship, transfers of land, and both private and public controls on the use of land.  Throughout both courses we examine the details of legal doctrine, how courts apply this doctrine to resolve specific conflicts, and broader justifications for property rights and the limitations placed on these rights. 

This course provides a broad introduction to the theory, history, doctrine, and practical implementation of land use regulations. It begins by discussing why and when government regulation, rather than private market ordering, might be necessary to control land use patterns. It then explores in detail specific topics, including, but not limited to, zoning, homeowners’ associations, historic preservation, exactions, eminent domain and regulatory takings. The course examines the rights that an owner of land has if a particular land use regulation is inefficient, unfairly burdensome, unfairly disruptive of the owner’s settled expectations, or an infringement upon the owner’s civil liberties. It also examines the rights of those who oppose the landowner’s plans. Readings will be drawn from leading cases, relevant legislative and administrative materials, as well as commentary by scholars in the fields of law, architecture, and planning.

This course introduces students to the law that regulates citizen participation in the political process, with a focus on constitutional law issues and the federal Voting Rights Act. Topics covered will include the right to vote, redistricting and reapportionment, election administration and the central elements of campaign finance regulation. Although the focus will be on the relevant statutory and case law on these subjects, the course will also explore American history, democratic theory, and the policy consequences of different legal rules. Grading will be based on two writing assignments during the term.