Family Law
Course
Information & Policies
(Updated
July 30, 2007)
Course
Syllabus
Sample
Examinations
(Updated July 30, 2007)
Professor Barbara
Glesner Fines
University of Missouri
- Kansas City School
SCHEDULE
Law 8751 Family Law meets Mondays and Wednesdays from
2:30-3:45 in Room 02 from Monday, August 20st
to Wednesday, November 28th.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Family Law course explores the relationship of the law
and the family. The primary goals of the
course are:
1. Understand the vocabulary, concepts, and rules
of the main areas of law designated "domestic relations" (marriage,
divorce, custody, support) and the relationship between the concepts in this
field and similar concepts in other
fields of law.
2. Recognize basic
principles of the role of the attorney as counselor, practice the skills
necessary to that role, and perceive the impact of this understanding on
delivery of legal services to clients in all fields of law.
3. Conceive the role of
government in regulating private behavior, the effectiveness and limits of law
in creating cultural understandings.
TEXTBOOKS
- Leslie
J. Harris, Lee E. Teitelbaum, and June Carbone. FAMILY LAW (Third ed).
- The on-line
course syllabus also provides links to cases and materials
required for class.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance:
Attendance is required, consistent with the law school's uniform
attendance policy. Attendance requires
preparation. Occasional inability to
complete the assignments is understandable and excusable if I am notified
before class; regular patterns of lack of preparedness will require excuse and
make‑up work and may be the basis for a reduction in final course grade.
Method of Grading and Appraisal of Student for Grade:
Grade will be based on a final examination.
I reserve the right to raise or lower grades to reflect class
participation and preparation.
GUIDELINES
FOR CLASS DISCUSSIONS
The study of family law provides a
unique opportunity to examine the interplay of societal change and the
law. This course involves the study of
controversial social, religious, racial, gender, political, and economic
issues. Many students class will have had personal experiences of the topics explored
in this class. For all of us, but
especially for those of use who have immediate experience with these profoundly
personal issues, it is difficult to distance ourselves from our own experiences
to achieve some objectivity in evaluating opinions and ideas that run contrary
to our own understanding. Nonetheless,
we will do so.
·
We will maintain a respectful, even formal
if necessary, tone in our classroom discussions.
·
We will listen carefully and respectfully
to the ideas our colleagues offer. We
will not hold side-bar conversations, interrupt, or surf the internet for
weekend entertainment plans.
·
We will examine ideas not attack
people.
·
We will not personalize our disagreements
or dissents and will try not to take personally the disagreements and dissents
of others.
·
We will contribute our ideas and questions
to support and further the learning of the entire class.
Some students may find certain material very difficult
emotionally. You are welcome to integrate personal experiences into class
discussions where you believe it would enhance the learning of the class as a
whole and you are, of course, always welcome to communicate with me, in person,
by phone or via email, regarding your views and questions on family law.
FIRST