Prerequisites: LAWR I and II

This course is intended for those students interested in sharpening their legal research skills. The number and subject of the research projects will be determined by the instructor, as will the option of requiring a midterm exam. The course will be one half semester in length.

Examples of topics to be addressed may include Administrative Law, Legislation, Taxation, International/Foreign Law, or Sports Law. The goal of the course will be to prepare students to do in-depth research in the selected area, in addition to sharpening general research skills.


Special Topic Descriptions:

International Law _ Offered Spring 2014
This one credit course will introduce students to concepts and skills used in international and foreign legal research. Students will learn basic concepts of legal research, research strategies, evaluation of materials in various formats, search techniques for effective use of electronic resources (including Lexis, Westlaw and the Web) and research organization. Both primary and secondary authorities will be considered in various formats. Students will understand how different legal systems influence the use and assessment of legal resources. Topics include public international law, foreign law, private international law, the European Union, the United Nations, and other international organizations. In addition, the course will explore resources and research strategies for international human rights, international environmental law, international trade law and arbitration, and family law as an international topic. Techniques for locating and interpreting bilateral and multilateral treaties and customary international law will be explored in detail. The documentation of international organizations, chiefly the United Nations and European Union, and research strategies for locating such documents, will be considered. Each class will include exercises that will allow the students to use and evaluate the various sources being considered in the class. Grading will be based on a final research guide on an international law topic or an international law organization. The class is recommended for students taking international law courses, researching international law topics for the law school's journals, participating in the Jessup Moot Court, or interested in international legal practice.

Legislative and Administrative Materials - Offered Fall 2013
This one credit intensive course will consist of fourteen hours of lectures and direct research over 7 weeks.  Students will study the theory and methodology of performing legislative research and compiling legislative histories learning how to use such history as a tool for legal advocacy. Students will also study strategies for doing administrative law research. The course will focus on both federal and New Jersey legislative and administrative materials.  Students will gain hands-on experience utilizing both print and on-line resources. Each student will produce a series of short research assignments together with a final project.

New Jersey Law
This advanced research course will provide an in-depth examination of research materials and effective research strategies in New Jersey law. Students will sharpen their research skills in this area and develop the foundational skills necessary to conduct efficient, quality New Jersey focused legal research. Judicial, legislative, and administrative materials will be explored together with a wide variety of New Jersey specific secondary resources. Short research assignments will be included along a final research project.

Tax Law
This advanced research course will provide an in-depth examination of research materials and effective research strategies in federal tax law.
Students will sharpen their research skills in this area and develop the foundational skills necessary to conduct efficient, quality tax law research. Judicial, legislative, and administrative materials will be explored together with a wide variety of tax specific secondary resources. Short research assignments will be included along a final research project.