Emily Buss
Mark and Barbara Fried Professor of Law and Kanter Director of Chicago Policy Initiatives
1111 East 60th Street
Chicago, IL 60637
phone: 773-834-0007
email: e-buss-doss@uchicago.edu

Current Year Courses

• 30211 1 Civil Procedure I
  Civil Procedure is offered in two parts. Part I meets in the Autumn Quarter and addresses the mechanics of civil litigation, with special reference to pleading, discovery, and trial, including the respective roles of judge and jury. Part II is offered in the Spring Quarter and focuses on the study of the power of particular courts to decide cases (subject matter jurisdiction); jurisdiction of the courts over the person or things before them; the scope and effect of judgments; principles of finality of judgments; and the rules governing joinder of claims and parties. The student s grade is based on an examination given at the end of each quarter.
  Autumn (3) 1L
  
  
• 41601 1 Evidence
  This course examines the law governing proof of disputed propositions of fact in criminal and civil trials, including relevance, character evidence, the hearsay "rule" and other rules of exclusion, and examination and privileges of witnesses. The student's grade is based on a proctored exam.
  Spring (3)
  
  
• 47101 1 Parent, Child, and the State
  This course examines the legal rights of parents and children and the state's authority to define and regulate the parent-child relationship. Among the topics discussed are children's and parent's rights of expression and religious exercise, termination of parental rights and adoption, paternity rights, the state's response to child abuse and neglect, the role of race in defining the family, and the legal issues raised by the development of new reproductive technologies. The student's grade is based on a take-home examination.
  Winter (3) b, c/l
  
  
• 49901 5 Independent Research
  Second- and third-year students may earn course credit by independent research under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Such projects are arranged by consultation between the student and the particular member of the faculty in whose field the proposed topic falls.
  Autumn (3)
  
  
• 54802 1 Child Development and the Law: Selected Topics
  In this seminar, we will consider how an understanding of child and adolescent development does and should influence the shape of the law. During the first half of the seminar, we will read and discuss social scientific literature on development and its application by legislatures and courts in general terms. In the second half of the seminar, students will each select a specific topic to discuss. Students will assign reading materials, lead a class discussion and write a paper on their topic. Papers will be long and comprehensive enough to qualify for substantial writing credit.
  Winter (3) b, c/l
  
  
• 95952 1 Greenberg Seminar: Juries
  In this seminar, we will consider juries, and, particularly literary, social scientific, and journalistic attempts to understand the nature of jury deliberation and decision making. Materials will be chosen as we go along, and are expected to include We, the Jury, an account written by several jurors in the Scott Peterson case; Edward Levi's congressional testimony defending the Chicago Jury Project against charges of unethical behavior; portions of the trial transcript from the Libby trial; and we probably can't help but watch Twelve Angry Men.
  Autumn (1) a
  
  

Other courses taught include:

• The Juvenile Justice System
• Parent, Child, and the State
• Selected Topics In Child Development And The Law. 548