Courses
The curriculum for summer 2009 will consist of Western Legal Tradition (Civil Law), Current Issues in Immigration Law and Comparative Criminal Law and Administration of Criminal Justice. Students under ABA regulations are limited to four hours credit. Each course carries two semester hours of academic credit. A Mexican Legal Systems Externship is also offered to candidates who are completely fluent in Spanish for 1 hour credit; Students who take this course may also apply for a one credit hour Independent Reserarch course. Both of these last two courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.
Student performance is evaluated through final examinations, graded by the alphabetical system of A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, and F except in the Externship and Independent Studies course. No student will be given credit for work done in any course in which he or she has failed to attend at least 80 percent of the scheduled classes, except upon a showing of compelling hardship or exceptional circumstances. .
WESTERN LEGAL TRADITION (2 hours) 
Professor Obrad Stanojevic
This course surveys the differences between the civil and common law systems, the two great legal systems of Western Civilization. It highlights the differing historical development and how this divergence contributes to the differences in the systems. Visiting lecturers will emphasize the development of the legal systems of Latin America and Mexico as part of the general pattern.
IMMIGRATION AT THE CROSSROADS OF LABOR LAW AND HUMAN RIGHTS (2 hours)
Professor Molina
This course will survey human rights issues and explore relief provided to individuals inside and outside of the United States under U.S. Immigration law for victims of persecution (refugees and asylees), torture, crime, human trafficking, and natural disasters. In addition, it will explore the effect of natural disasters on the immigrant population in the United States, with particular attention to events during and after Hurricane Katrina.
Discussion includes eligibility for emergency relief and immigrant labor in the recovery and reconstruction efforts of the Gulf region.
COMPARATIVE CRIMINAL LAW & ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL LAW (2 hours)
Judge and Adjunct Professor Dennis Waldron
This course will compare the systems of Criminal Law and Administration of Criminal justice of Mexico and the United States. It will be taught by Adjunct Professor and former Judge of the New Orleans Criminal District Courts, Judge Dennis Waldron. Judge Waldron served for over 20 years, and has tried over 3,000 criminal cases. He is an adjunct professor at Loyola Law School, teaching the course in Criminal Procedure and is highly respected both as a jurist and teacher.
MEXICAN LEGAL SYSTEM EXTERNSHIP (1 hour)
Professors Vetter and Molina
A limited number of students will be placed as externs with the civil trial courts under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Morelos. Students taking this course are limited to one other 2 hour course and the Independent Study course described after this course. Students generally spend three to four hours a day in the trial courts, observing proceedings, reviewing and sometimes drafting documents, and interacting with judges, court clerks, and attorneys. The course includes a classroom component where lecturers expand on various aspects of the Mexican legal system. Applicants must be completely fluent in Spanish and English and must furnish a resume translated into Spanish. This course requires a written report of activities and is graded on a pass/fail basis. Interested students must contact Professor Molina for pre-approval.
INDEPENDENT STUDY (1 hour)
Professor Vetter
Students who are selected for the Mexican Legal Systems Externship may elect to write a paper of at least 15 pages on a particular part of the Mexican Legal System, which may incorporate some aspect of their experience. An outline must be submitted to Professor Vetter before registration is finally approved.
Last year 25 students participated in the program, 17 from Loyola and 8 from other law schools.
Course Materials
- TBA
Class Schedules
Classes will begin June 7 and end June 24. For the week of June 7, classes will be held Monday through Friday; For the week of June 14, classes will be held Monday through Thursday; For the week of June 21, classes will be held Monday through Thursday. Final exams will be June 26 and June 27.
- 8:30 – 10:10 a.m. Immigration at the Crossroads of Labor Law and Human Rights
- 10:30 - 12:10 a.m. Western Legal Tradition
- 1:15 – 2:55 p.m. Comparative Criminal Law and Administration of Criminal Justice