Course Descriptions V-Z
Course Credit Information
A – Usually offered during alternate years
CR/NC – Credit if course is passed; no credit if course is not passed
N – Not regularly offered
S – May be offered as a seminar
2-3 – Credit may vary between 2 and 3 credits
SK – Skills course
*New course
220. WESTLAW RESEARCH ADVANCED PROBLEMS. 1 CR/NC
Intensive training in all aspects of computer-assisted legal research using the WESTLAW system. Advanced work in query formulation, networks, communication technologies, and specialized databases.
058. WILL DRAFTING FOR THE GENERAL PRACTITIONER. 2 SK
The drafting of dispositive documents (wills and trust instruments) will be the primary focus in this course. While substantive law will be covered to the extent necessary to put the drafting in context, the primary focus will involve learning techniques of how to accomplish a testator's or grantor's goals through the drafting of documents, focusing on particular types of clauses. This course is aimed at and will appeal to the student whose primary practice would not be in estate planning but would be likely to draft some wills and trusts. The future county seat practitioner will be the primary beneficiary of this course. The course will help general practice attorneys to be more confident and competent in the drafting of wills and trusts. Note: This course will not replace Wills and Trusts. Wills and Trusts will continue to be the basic course in the area and delivers far more substantive knowledge and analysis of the law of Wills and Trusts than this course. The course will concentrate more on the skills of drafting to make the client's intent clear. In that objective, it is akin to "skills" courses such as Pretrial Advocacy and Trial Advocacy.
223. WILLS AND TRUSTS. 3
Examines execution, revocation, and revalidation of wills; descent of property; family protection statutes; probate; grounds of contest; creation, characteristics, and termination of trusts; rights of beneficiaries; and duties of the trustee. An overview of interpretation of will and trust provisions is provided, and will substitutes are briefly considered.
304. WOMEN AND THE LAW. 2
Seminar reviews how sex role understandings have affected various aspects of the law, including criminal law, employment, credit, and insurance discrimination, abortion and fetal protection, family law, and lesbian and gay rights. Standards of review for laws that discriminate on the basis of sex as opposed to other kinds of discrimination also are discussed, as is the issue of how women are treated in courts today with an eye toward students' future practice as lawyers.
244. WORKERS' COMPENSATION. 2
An examination of the system by which compensation is provided to those suffering workplace injuries. Course considers the employment relationship, the conditions of compensation, benefits provided, and the role of fault in workers' compensation programs. Consideration also is given to the availability of third-party actions and insurance issues.
624. WORKERS COMPENSATION COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE INTERNSHIP (IOWA). 3 CR/F
The Industrial Commissioner is the top official for the administration of Iowa Workers' Compensation Law. Students in this internship work on a variety of projects for the Iowa Industrial Commissioner's Office located in Des Moines. The student will participate in the drafting of opinions in contested workers' compensation cases. This will entail working closely with the Iowa Industrial Commissioner and the Deputy Industrial Commissioners. Students would have a unique opportunity to apply the rules of administrative law and the doctrine of worker's compensation in a hands-on-setting. A student would be required to put in 45 clock hours per academic credit hour and could take from three to six credits. Approval of the Curriculum Committee and the associate dean would be required for hours in excess of three. Workers' Compensation is not required, though it is strongly encouraged, and students who have taken or who are pre-registered for the course will be given preference in selection.
