Uses textbook materials, case law, legal analysis and class discussions to introduce students to the major legal principles and issues affecting education. Reviews legal terminology and diverse legal issues that impact education and educators. Topics include regulation of public and private schools, church-state issues, the authority to make and enforce rules governing student and staff conduct, safety of the educational environment, child abuse and sexual harassment, search and seizure, desegregation, free-speech rights of students, teachers and extracurricular groups and due process. Topics are examined in the context of legislation and statutes, Department of Education regulations, and state and federal court decisions.

4.5 Credit Hours