Child Protection Courses and Curriculum

Other courses

• Child Abuse and the Law (4590)

  This course is for students who have an interest in public service and children’s issues. The course is designed to provide an overview of the prosecution process in civil and criminal cases involving child abuse and neglect. Students will learn the internal path of both a criminal child abuse case, as well as the civil process for protecting children from further abuse or neglect. This course will explore the necessity of working with a multi-disciplinary team of professionals in preparing a case for the court process, as well as the necessary skills needed to communicate with child victims. The course will require observation of a criminal and civil child abuse case.

• Family Law (4000)

  Studies the law as it relates to the family unit with emphasis on the impact of social, economic, moral, and scientific changes in the society on that relationship. Topics covered include marriage, dissolution of marriage, antenuptial contracts, paternity, surrogate motherhood, child support, tax implications of divorce, bankruptcy, family violence, support, child custody, and adoption.

• Juvenile Justice (4583)

  Examines the procedural and substantive law and judicial administration of the courts in the area of juvenile delinquency. Primary concentration is on rights of accused delinquents, detention and police conduct, constitutional protection, trial, adjudication, reference for adult prosecution, treatment, and the proper function of the lawyer and the court in the juvenile court system.

• Domestic Violence Law and Policy Seminar (4004)

  This seminar focuses on the issue of family violence between partners and spouses. Current law and practice will be analyzed in light of recent social science research.

• Family Mediation (8241)

  Family mediation offers divorcing couples a cooperative and constructive way to resolve differences and plan for the future. Minnesota now requires that mediation be considered early in the dissolution process. The interactive course provides students with the opportunity to become qualified family neutrals under Supreme Court Rule 114. Students study conflict resolution and emotional issues surrounding divorce as well as learning specific techniques for mediating custody and property disputes. Special attention is paid to identifying families experiencing domestic violence. A variety of teaching methods are used, including demonstrations, role play, and discussion.

• Externship – Family Law (4040)

  Students intern with family law practitioners engaged in various professional roles such as mediator, collaborative lawyer, guardian ad litem and traditional practitioner in private and public settings. During the semester, externs will meet regularly as a group with the faculty supervisor. These two-hour meetings will encourage critical analysis and reflection.

  Students may be placed in existing externships or may locate and propose their own placement.

• Civil Child Protection Seminar (4007)

  Seminar focuses on federal and state policies underlying the civil child protection system. Topics explored include social science research on vulnerable children and parents; relevant constitutional rights of parents and children, and controversies related to concurrent planning, provision of reasonable efforts, and use of mediation.