Higher Education: Higher Education Law

Examines the relationship between higher education and the law, including how various substantive areas of the law affect colleges/universities and their stakeholders. Focuses on the major topical areas, key concepts, sociocultural contexts, and precedential cases pertinent to the law and higher education.

Open to Graduate and PACE students only. International students register for this section.

This is a graduate-level seminar which examines the relationship between higher education and the law, including how various substantive areas of the law affect colleges/universities and their stakeholders. Course content will focus on the major topical areas, key concepts, sociocultural contexts, and precedential cases pertinent to the law and higher education. As present and future practitioners and leaders who might be required to apply the law to student affairs practice, evaluate and react to morally impermissible or illegal actions, to seek legal counsel, to examine the impact of the law through scholarship and critique, or to function as citizens and as members of the academy within the larger democracy, this course will develop understanding regarding how and in what ways the “law” affects key aspects of higher education. This course is offered in both a hybrid/in-person modality and a hy-flex modality. Please be sure to sign up for the appropriate section.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1. Understand the way the law has shaped and continues to shape higher education. 2. Discuss, analyze, interpret, and apply precedential case law to higher education. 3. Identify and utilize key legal concepts that can be utilized in future decision-making. 4. Recognize how key areas of the law affect institutions of higher education and their stakeholders. 5. Apply ACPA/NASPA competencies to legality, including through: a. understanding the historical role of the law in promoting or precluding racial, gender, and economic justice; b. the development of personal and ethical values and standards; c. and the impact of the law on organizational policy and practice.

Evaluation of course learning will be completed through the following general assignment descriptions: Class participation, course readings of case law, case briefs, Socratic discussion, written exams, topical presentations, and participation in the Legal Issues in Higher Education Conference.