Fall 2015 Course Schedule

Children of LGBT Parents Sem (LAW-782-001)
Polikoff

Meets: 01:30 PM - 03:20 PM (T) - Room 403

Enrolled: 12 / Limit: 15

Administrator Access


Notices

There are no notices at this time.

Description

The seminar examines some of the most cutting-edge legal issues in family law. Specifically, the course covers the following: how to define a parent and what constitutional rights parents have; custody and visitation issues arising for children born within heterosexual marriages when a parent later comes out as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender; family formation through adoption, foster parenting, sperm and egg donor insemination, and traditional and gestational surrogacy; whether/when the marital presumption of parentage applies to same-sex spouses; interstate and federal recognition of parentage; and custody and child support disputes when same-sex couples split up. Students also study demographic and social science research on children with gay or lesbian parents; public opinion research about lesbians and gay men raising children; arguments about the well-being of children that have come up in litigation, legislative efforts, and ballot initiatives about same-sex marriage and parenting; and international/comparative law on LGBT parents. Students follow pending litigation and legislation. Students who wish to satisfy their upper level writing requirement in this seminar must register for one additional credit of independent study.

Textbooks and Other Materials

The textbook information on this page was provided by the instructor. Students should use this information when considering purchases from the AU Campus Store or other vendors. Students may check to determine if books are currently available for purchase online.

All course readings will be posted on MyWCL. There are no textbooks to buy or rent.

First Class Readings

The readings (and two videos) for the first class are now posted on the MyWCL website for the class. If you do not yet have access to the MyWCL website, contact the professor directly at npoliko@wcl.american.edu