This page lists all currently offered McKinney courses & their official course descriptions in alphabetical order.
All Courses
Tax Policy (2 cr.) D/N 700 - Elective - This course will employ philosophy, economics, behavioral science, critical theory, and other systems of thought to consider the design of tax laws and systems in light of conflicting normative goals, varying conceptions of distributive justice, and real-world outcomes. We will cover income, sales, sin, estate, and digital transactions taxes in addition to many others. Students will write response papers to weekly reading, will engage in lively policy discussion and debate, and will work together with a small group of peers to lead one class session on the subject matter of their choice. No prior knowledge of tax law is required for this course.
The Center for at-Risk Elders (CARE) (2 or 3 cr.) D802 - Externship - CARE is a non-profit, lawyer-led team of advocates guarding Indiana’s neglected, abused, and exploited elders (www.indianacare.org) . Indiana CARE is the state’s leading provider of legal services to establish adult guardianships where appropriate, with a focus on offering emergency guardianship intervention services. These services are designed to offer protection for elders who are actively being exploited financially, are being abused or neglected, and for those at imminent risk of being so. Students chosen for an externship placement with CARE will find a friendly, fast-paced work environment and will work alongside a social-justice focused practitioner with over 30 years’ experience working with at-risk clients.
The Indiana Justice Project with Adam Mueller (2 or 3 cr.) D802 - Externship - The Indiana Justice Project is a new law and policy program in Indiana. IJP uses all of the tools of legal advocacy to fight poverty on a systemic level. This includes litigation, policy research and analysis, and legislative and administrative advocacy. IJP's core focus for 2021-2022 is health justice, working to ensure all Hoosiers have access to affordable health coverage. Externs with IJP will focus on state and federal policy analysis. They will work on reviewing Indiana's health coverage programs through a justice and equity lens. The results of this research may be policy products ("white papers") and additional content that will both bolster and inform IJP's advocacy goals.
The Right of Publicity (2 cr.) D/N 633 - Elective - covers various aspects of this IP doctrine including its historical evolution, the statutory and common law sources, and its relationship to other aspects of intellectual property, as well as litigation, licensing and business applications. Cases reviewed will include those focusing on personalities such as Rosa Parks, Outkast, Tom Cruise and Bette Midler; and on endorsement deals, celebrity branding and advertising campaigns.
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Regional Counsel (2 or 3 cr.) D802 - Externship - The Veterans Affairs Regional Counsel provides counsel to the federal agency responsible for the execution of laws, regulations, and policies governing veterans' benefits. Externs will serve to meet the legal needs of veterans, most particularly in the areas of veterans' benefits and homelessness. Working closely with the VA Regional Counsel legal team to apply statutory, administrative and common law, externs will develop legal skills in client counseling, negotiation, fact investigation, and legal research. The externship is a two or three credit, pass or fail, course. Students must complete and document 100/150 hours of Office of Regional Counsel externship activity, which corresponds generally to eight (8-10) hours per week. In addition, externs maintain journal entries, attend scheduled meetings with the Faculty Supervisor, and submit a final evaluation.
Topics in Health Law (2 or 3 cr.) D/N 763 - Elective - examines specialized topics related to health law that are not addressed in depth by other courses. Using emerging issues in health care, public health, and environmental health law as modes of analysis, this course will introduce students to the theory, methodology, and evaluation of public policy development. Students will explore these issues via case studies and on-site learning opportunities related to issues such as the legalization of medical marijuana, syringe exchange programs, and drinking water quality. Students will also apply methods for evaluating law and policy to individual research topics via policy briefs or the option to prepare a longer paper to fulfill the J.D. Advanced Research and Writing requirement.
Tort Law for LL.M. Students (2 cr.) D/N 536 - Graduate - introduces students to basic principles of tort law in the United States. The course will study sources of duties, breach, defenses, and available remedies under the laws of international torts, negligence, and products liability.
Torts (4 cr.) D/N 541 - Required (Basic) - introduces students to actions for intentional and unintentional interference with protectable interests. Strict liability and its extensions, alternatives to the torts compensation system, and the impact of insurance and legislation on the common law of torts are also considered.
Trademark Law (2 or 3 cr.) D/N 630 - Elective - provides students with a synthesis of the current and developing law in key areas of trademark and unfair competition law in the U.S. and abroad.
Transportation Law (2 cr.) D/N 911 - Elective - building on concepts learned in earlier courses (torts, agency, statutory interpretation), this course will introduce law students to fundamental legal issues affecting the nation’s transportation industry. Subjects addressed will include the regulatory history of transportation services in the United States, the legislative progression toward what is now a largely deregulated industry, and the national and international legal challenges affecting transportation providers’ daily operations. Although the course will focus largely upon the motor carrier segment of the industry, issues affecting air, water, and rail carriers will be addressed as well.
Trial Advocacy Competition (1) D/N 745 - Simulation - A spring semester Trial Advocacy Competition course is open to eight students selected by audition held during the fall semester. Members of the course represent the law school at regional and national trial competitions. Auditions are open to students who have completed Evidence (DN632) and Trial Practice (DN718). Course participation requires a minimum of 60 hours of trial preparation and related activity. The course is graded. Prerequisite: Evidence (DN632).
Trial Practice (3 cr.) D/N 718 - Simulation - This simulation course covers trial procedures from selection of jury through opening statements, presentation of evidence, preservation of error, cross-examination, closing argument, and instructions. Students participate in simulated cases. Limited enrollment.
Trout Unlimited Externship (2 or 3 cr.) D802 - Externship - Trout Unlimited is a leading conservation-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with over 400 grassroots chapters and councils dedicated to preserving and protecting our cold-water resources, trout, and salmon populations for future generations. We work tirelessly to advocate for and advance sustainable practices, support conservation initiatives, and raise awareness about the importance of our cold-water resources. Trout Unlimited is widely recognized as one of the most impactful organizations in the aquatic conservation space. As the Grassroots Legal, Governance, and Compliance Extern (GLGCE), you will play a crucial role in supporting our organization's legal, governance, compliance, and reporting processes. The position offers a unique opportunity to blend legal and compliance skills with operational responsibilities, providing a versatile workload for a candidate who is eager to learn and grow in the conservation space. The GLGCE may analyze state rules on charitable fundraising, research business registration, and transition to liability concerns related to a stream restoration project, all within the same day. There will also be substantive opportunities to participate in the development of systems and processes to drive compliance and help tell the story of TU’s impact across the nation. The GLGCE may also interface with senior staff, including TU’s General Counsel and its Vice President of Volunteer Operations, to learn about their experiences in working with a national conservation-based nonprofit organization, the conservation industry, and professional development. This role will require strong attention to detail, a proactive approach to problem-solving, a good sense of humor, and the ability to work independently.
Trusts and Estates (3 or 4 cr.) D/N 722 - Required (HR) - surveys the law on family property settlement, including intestate succession, wills and will substitutes, intervivos and testamentary trusts, fiduciary administration, powers of appointment, and future interests. This course may be listed either synchronously or asynchronously online.
