LAW396A

041634

Science and technology are becoming increasingly important in legal and regulatory domains. From environmental sustainability to homeland security, officials, legislators, and regulators routinely make decisions that require input from, and have impact on, society. In order to form rational judgments on the complex challenges society encounters today, one must possess both an understanding of the underlying scientific and technical issues and an appreciation for relevant legal, historical, and ethical dimensions. Yet only five percent of the members of U.S. Congress have backgrounds in science and engineering. Likewise scientists often lack the opportunity and expertise to successfully engage in the legal, regulatory, and policy-making process. Currently, there are very few courses available in either field that offer our students the opportunity to come at these topics in such an interdisciplinary manner and, more importantly, to learn how to interact effectively with experts from drastically different backgrounds. We perceive this gap between disciplines as one partially remedied by training the scientists and regulators of the future in this interdisciplinary manner, in collaborative, small-group settings. The objective of this class is to provide an interdisciplinary forum for College of Science and law students to learn, discuss, and debate the broad, interconnected issues of science and law, regulation, and governance. Topical focuses may include environmental science, pollution, climate change, genetic engineering, and drug discovery.

GRD - Regular Grades A, B, C, D, E

Undergraduate

CE - CL (Cross Listed)

Intended for students with Junior or Senior standing. It is ideal that priority be given to students majoring or minoring in CHEM or LAW; then opened to other majors after the priority registration period.