MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL OF LAW at ANDOVER
SYLLABUS for Animal Law – Spring 2015
Professor Holly Vietzke
Instructor:
Professor Vietzke
Email: holly@mslaw.edu Phone: 978.681.0800 ext. 139
Text:
Animal Law Cases and Materials (Fifth Edition)
- Waisman/Frasch/Wagman/
Class Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00am – 12:15 p.m.
Purpose
Animal law is a broad and rapidly expanding field and is an integral part of
& Course
social policy and the law. The course provides diverse examples of cases and
Description: circumstances in which the unique aspects of animals and law converge and
should stimulate thought about recurrent animal law themes.
Grading &
Criteria1:
In-class presentation: Worth 10 points
Project: Worth 25 points – Animal Law Symposium, Saturday, April 4
Final: Worth 65 points
ASSIGNMENTS DUE FOR EACH CLASS
Date
Topics
Pages
1/21
What is an Animal? Property and Beyond: The Evolution of Rights
3-63
1/28
Criminal Law: Historical Perspective; State Anti-Cruelty Statutes;
Affirmative Acts of Cruelty; Failure to Act
65-110
2/3
Criminal Law, cont’d: Hoarding; Animals in Sport & Entertainment;
The Link between Animal Abuse and Human Violence
110-163
2/10
Torts: Theories of Liability; Veterinary Malpractice
165-210
2/17
Torts, cont’d: Damages and Valuation; Competing Interests; Strict
Liability & Negligence
210-275
2/24
Constitutional Law: Legal Standing
285-330
3/4
Constitutional Law, cont’d: Due Process; First Amendment
330-376
3/11
Commercial Uses of Animals: Animals Raised and Slaughtered for
Food
377-443
3/25
Commercial Uses of Animals: Slaughter Laws; Animals in Research
443-510
4/1
Contracts
513-559
1
Final course grade may be lowered for excessive absences.
4/3
Set up for Animal Law Day
4/4
Animal Law Day
4/8
NO CLASS: Thanks for your hard work on Animal Law Day!
4/15
Wills & Trusts; Selected Federal Statutes
563-625
4/22
Selected Federal Statutes, cont’d
625-676
4/29
Presentations; Review for Final Exam