All VLS Courses

Estate and Gift Taxation

Examines the fundamental principles of federal gift, estate, and generation skipping taxes, including an introduction to basic estate planning techniques.

Estates

Examines gratuitous transfers by intestate succession, wills, trusts, and other techniques; execution and revocation of wills; will substitutes; administration of estates; family survivors' rights; the nature of trusts and fiduciary relationships; powers of appointment; and future interests.

European Union: Emerging Constitutional Law

Provides a basic introduction to European Union law, with a focus on the foundational treaties, the key institutions and their interrelationships, and important cases decided by the European Court of Justice.  Students will be given an opportunity to attend lectures by leading EU legal scholars at the University of Trento in Italy.  Special fees and conditions may apply. 

Evidence

Considers the rules governing the admissibility of testimonial, physical, documentary, and demonstrative evidence in trials and other formal legal proceedings.  Topics considered include relevance, prejudice, competency, hearsay, opinion, impeachment, and privilege.

Download Summer 2013 Course Syllabus

Evidence Lab

Extinction and Climate Change

Examines the ecological, social and ethical consequences of biological impoverishment and considers various legal and policy options to address the phenomenon of climate change.  The course addressses the extent to which laws like the Endangered Species Act of 1973 and some international laws can be used to address both conventional threats to species as well as the  threat of climate change.

Family Law

Explores the legal and social issues arising from the development of assistive reproductive technologies. This interdisciplinary course is jointly taught by faculty from VLS and Dartmouth Medical School, and provides an opportunity for VLS and DMS students to share their approaches to the issue.  

Federal Courts

An analysis of the sources of and limitations on the federal judicial power.  Particular emphasis is placed upon the relationship between the state and federal judicial system. 

Feeding a Hot and Hungry Planet

This course explores the global challenge of feeding the world, protecting forests and other natural landscapes, and reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. What legal and other strategies can the world use to meet food needs, stop converting natural habitats, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture to an acceptable level?

Download the 2013 Summer Syllabus

Food Regulation and Policy

Presently, the United States is experiencing a resurgence in public concern over the safety of our food supply due to biotechnology, pesticide use, and unsafe food packaging, etc. This course will introduce students to the laws and policies that govern food regulation and policy in the United States.