School of Law

ApplyVisitGive
Students in class

Course Descriptions

Fall 2026 Class Descriptions: Electives

ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ



Law Journal Editing and Research (LWGC538)

Instructor(s): Macklin Thornton

1 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded

This course is offered only to students who are editorial board members of Law Review, International Law Journal, and Journal of Climate and Energy Law. This course provides students with an understanding of editorial and publication processes through faculty supervised training. Topics include editing, editorial research, article selection, and other aspects of journal operations. The course is taught by a adjunct faculty member who meets regularly with students, provides them with specific and individualized feedback on their contributions, and provides guidance on journal operations.

Students will be graded on the basis of class attendance and participation, performance on class assignments, and a post-course skills assessment.

Law of the Sea (LWIC560)

Instructor(s): Nilmini Silva-Send

3 credit(s), Letter Graded
Requirement(s): Writing
Concentration(s): Environmental and Energy Law (JD), International Law (JD), Environmental and Energy Law (LLMUS), International Law (LLMUS), Environmental and Energy Law (LLMG), LLM in International Law (LLMI), Environmental and Energy Law (MSLS), International Law (MSLS)

The oceans cover more than 70% of the earth’s surface. The valuable roles it plays range from regulating the climate, transporting more than 80% of goods across nations and providing food and medicines. On the flip side, the oceans receive pollution from land-based sources as well as being affected by climate change, How international law deals with these multiple aspects and how “property rights’ in oceans have been allocated are governed by a large number of international treaties of which the United Nations Law of the Sea Convention (UNCLOS, 1982) is the single most significant instrument in force for over 20 years with near global membership. Using UNCLOS 1982 we will examine how the oceans have been distributed among states, the rights and duties of coastal states, port states and all states as well as the challenges of monitoring and enforcement of the international law of the seas.
The prominence of the law of the sea in international politics is witnessed in countless examples today: the Strait of Hormuz, the geopolitical plays in the South China Sea and the opening of Arctic Ocean to shipping as the climate warms. Its geopolitical importance is not new and we will start with excerpts from a major legal work “ Mare Liberum – The Free Sea “ by Dutch jurist Grotius used as justification for the 1603 Dutch seizure in the Straits of Singapore of a Portuguese vessel carrying prized goods from the East for sale in Europe, and a defense of the principle of freedom of navigation and thus of international trade.
Depending on the number of students enrolled, we will organize a study trip to the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography UCSD, where scientists hold valuable information on implementation of legal principles in UNCLOS related to marine research, enforcement of fisheries conservation measures, tracking of marine cross-border pollution, the role of marine protected areas, and providing evidence for the role of oceans in the regulation of the climate.

Lawyering as a Craft (NEW) (LWLP546)

Instructor(s): David McGowan

2 credit(s), Letter Graded

This course analyzes lawyering as a craft and lawyers as professionals.

Craft refers to the combination of knowledge, judgment, and skill necessary for lawyers to be effective advocates for their clients' interests. It is concerned with doing the job with care and in the right way, much like the concept of “craft” refers to traditional, time-tested methods used by artisans in other fields. The course will examine how to achieve and sustain key elements of the craft in a modern era of lawyering impacted by AI and other tools.

Professionalism refers to the role of lawyers in society. Lawyers depend on the rule of law and are uniquely suited to sustain it. Both concepts – our craft and our professionalism – define the important obligations lawyers have in society and the courtroom. The class will examine how lawyers can meet these obligations.

The class will use real-world examples to illustrate these points in concrete terms. Grading will be based on a final exam and class participation.

Note:

This course will be co-taught by Mr. Michael Attanasio.

Legal Writing & Research, GRAD (LWGC560)

Instructor(s): Leslie Morsek

2 credit(s), H/P/L/F Graded

This course, which is offered only to students in the LLM, MSLS and Exchange programs, focuses on providing students with: (1) a broad overview of the structure of the U.S. legal system; (2) techniques for successful research , writing and practice of law in the U.S. courts; (3) an introduction to the objective analytical skills that promote success in coursework and in the profession; (4) an introduction to persuasive writing techniques; and (5) techniques for success in class and examinations. The course has a very low student-faculty ratio and faculty carefully review each student’s research and writing assignments. Students are provided opportunities to meet with their professor and revise their written work.

Note:

This course is for students in the LLM, MSLS, and Exchange programs only.

Low Income Tax Incentives (LWTE543)

Instructor(s): Maurice Foley

2 credit(s), Letter Graded
Requirement(s): Writing
Concentration(s): Public Interest Law (JD), Taxation (LLMUS), LLM in Taxation (LLMT), Taxation (MSLS)
Prerequisite(s): Tax I

This course will focus on how and why the government uses the tax law to provide income support, housing, and jobs to low-income families and encourage economic development in low-income communities. The course will provide an in-depth candid review of the political, economic, social, and budget considerations relating to the formulation, drafting, and enactment of these provisions. The course will also explore the intersection of tax policy and our criminal justice system.

Note:

This course is taught by US Tax Court Judge Maurice B. Foley.

This is a synchronous distance education course. Judge Foley will be in San Diego to teach the first two classes in person.  Thereafter, classes will be taught via Zoom. 

View By Semester

Click on a semester below, then narrow your search by choosing a sub-item.
Spring 2027