Animals and Agricultural Production: Law and Policy

The University of Nebraska College of Law will be offering a course in May that was formerly taught at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, under the direction of Drew Kershen.  This course is designed to help students understand the existing legal structure and theory involved in modern animal production.  The types of animal production we will examine include those which serve anthropocentric ends, including medical research and meat consumption.

This is a valuable preparation course and learning experience for students interested in agriculture and the ongoing debate about agriculture as a production system. Students will learn how to analyze legal arguments, statutes, regulations, and judicial opinions related to animals and agricultural production. Students will learn how to respond in a professional and accurate fashion to the legal, public policy, and scientific issues involved in the use of animals in agricultural production.  Such issues are often at the forefront of the  animal rights movement.

Eligible students include those enrolled in accredited law schools who have completed their first year. Enrollment is limited to 24 students.  Twelve will be accepted from the University of Nebraska College of Law.  The remaining twelve will be accepted from the law schools at the University of Oklahoma; the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville; Penn State University; and Drake University.  These students will be admitted on a first‐come, first‐served basis.  Registration begins on March 26th.  If seats remain available after April 15th, students from other law schools in the U.S. may seek enrollment before April 30th, when all registration will end.

In the near future, interested students will be able to find the course syllabus and more information about enrollment, fees, housing, map and travel information at: http://law.unl.edu/facstaff/faculty/resident/aschutz.shtml

In the meantime, if you need any information, contact Professor Schutz at anthony@unl.edu.