ACE 403: Agricultural Law
Exploration of key common-law principles of contract, property and tort law, as well as the role of the judiciary in the American system of government, based on a perspective from agricultural and natural resources cases and controversies.
Prerequisites (Must be complete BEFORE taking this course):
Must have sophomore standing
Instructors Teaching the Course:
This course is taught by the instructor below. You may click on their names to learn more about them. Teaching schedules vary by semester. Please check the Course Explorer for the most up-to-date information about the sections they will teach.
Jonathan Coppess
View the Course Explorer:
See when the course is offered as well as section details here: https://courses.illinois.edu/schedule/terms/ACE/403
Spring 2019 Restrictions
There is a section for undergraduate students and a section for graduate students. Please register for the appropriate section.
Additional Course Information
Read more about what Professor Coppess has to say about ACE 403!
Is this class discussion-based or lecture-based? How would you describe your teaching style?
It is a lecture-based class but I value class participation, debate and discussion. My general goal for teaching is to help gain a better understanding of fundamental legal principles through their application in common agricultural and natural resource settings. Learning involves much more than answering questions on an exam. As such, assessment includes a class project that focuses on debating the legal principles we cover in class as applied to contemporary legal matters or topics.
How are students evaluated (e.g. multiple choice or essay tests, papers, etc.)?
Exams are typically essay questions and the class project at the end of the semester is a significant component of the overall assessment and grade.
In what ways does this course prepare students to move through the program and/or into the work force?
As an introduction to three of the most fundamental legal principles, it helps students in the other law and policy classes. For those students seeking to continue on to law school, it is an important introduction to material that will be covered extensively in the first year of law school. For those students choosing to enter the workforce, these basic principles will be encountered in almost any job and many life situations. More importantly, the analytical thinking and logical reasoning at the core of the class, including the materials and instruction provided and the written work required, will be valuable in any career.
What is your background in Agricultural and Consumer Economics?
None. My educational background is law school (The George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C.), and my work experiences span practicing law in Chicago and working law and policy in the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
What is your attendance policy?
Attendance is mandatory and expected, but I also understand that students often have competing responsibilities, so I excuse absences for those competing responsibilities where appropriate.