S. Food Law and Policy
Course Information
- Course Number
- L8795
- Curriculum Level
- Upperclass
- Areas of Study
- Administrative Law and Public Policy, Civil Procedure, Litigation, and Dispute Resolution, Commercial Law and Transactions, Legal Profession and Professional Responsibility
- Type
- Seminar
Section 001 Information
Section Description
This U.S. Food Law & Policy seminar will provide an overview of the complex laws and policies governing food and beverage alcohol in the United States. Topics will include the origins and sources of modern food law and policy; the intricate federal labeling laws; the role and spheres of responsibility of various federal and state agencies; consumer litigation and its implications; advertising and competition between market actors; the treatment of emerging technologies and trends in food and beverage regulation; manufacturing issues, product recalls, and criminal and civil liability for foodborne illness; distribution issues; the legislation of social and health issues related to food manufacturing and consumption; and food law and policy problems on the horizon.
The class will examine themes of blame and responsibility, and the broader societal debate over whether individuals, corporations, or government entities bear responsibility for healthy food preferences, a safe and sustainable food supply, alcohol and calorie intake, competition issues and distribution structures in regulated industries. The class will consider how food policy in the United States is not only fragmented but often self-contradictory.
Students will also gain practical experience through two counseling exercises, and then will be responsible for writing a short memo (750-1000 words) delivering legal advice on the problem posed. Each student will also be responsible for a final independent or group 20-page researched paper on a food law and policy topic.
Major Writing Credit Upon Consultation.
- School Year & Semester
- Spring 2024
- Location
- JGH 646
- Schedule
-
Class meets on
- Monday
- Points
- 2
- Method of Evaluation
- Paper
- J.D Writing Credit?
- Minor (automatic)
- Major (only upon consultation)
- Writing Credit Note
- Major Writing Credit Upon Consultation.
Learning Outcomes
- Primary
-
- At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in the historical development of food and beverage laws in the United States.
- At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in modern food and beverage laws, including the integration of new technologies and trends into existing regulatory structures.
- At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in values-based considerations in the federal, state and local regulation of food and alcohol issues.
- At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in the impact of economic, health, social and cultural concerns in the development, implementation and enforcement of legal policies.
- At the end of the course, students will have acquired understanding of and/or facility in the fundamentals of delivering legal advice to a business.
Course Limitations
- Instructor Pre-requisites
- None
- Instructor Co-Requisites
- None
- Requires Permission
- No
- Recommended Courses
- None
- Other Limitations
- None