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Pepperdine | Caruso School of Law

Classes & Course Descriptions


Human Rights and the Rule of Law in the Developing World

Taught by: Gary Haugen

Before founding International Justice Mission in 1997, Gary Haugen was a human rights attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice, where he focused on crimes of police misconduct. In 1994, he served as the Director of the United Nations' investigation in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide. In this role, he led an international team of lawyers, criminal prosecutors, law enforcement officers, and forensics experts to gather evidence that would eventually be used to bring the perpetrators of the genocide to justice. Gary teaches a class at Pepperdine Law each spring on Human Rights and the Rule of Law in the Developing World.

 

Anti-Trafficking Legislation Lab

Facilitated by: Cameron McCollum and Taylor Amstutz

This practicum began in the fall of 2018 at the initiative of Pepperdine Law student Jake Herbert (JD '19). The purpose of this course is for each year-long cohort of students to research, draft, and lobby legislation for California that will assist in ending human trafficking. Where the previous group left off, the new cohort will pick up the project and carry it through. The course leaders also invite inspirational anti-trafficking professionals to speak to the class as well as experts to help students navigate the process of drafting legislation.

 

War Crimes

Taught by: Jacqueline Isaac

War Crimes, a 2 unit class, is the study of the evolution and application of the rules governing the initiation and conduct of war, and of the treatment of combatants and civilians during time of war. The Professor, Jacqueline Isaac, will teach about the history and prosecution of war crimes, and will use her experience working to prosecute ISIS in International Courts to bring the material to life in its practical application.

 

Human Trafficking: Law, Policy, and Litigation

Taught by: John Cotton Richmond

This course offers an in depth analysis of human trafficking law and policy as well as practical litigation strategies for criminal prosecutions and civil litigation. Forced labor, modern-day slavery, and sex trafficking have become an increasing lucrative crimes and a priority for governments and businesses. With real world examples and hands-on learning, this course will examine current legal trends and new business models traffickers employ, including front businesses, labor recruiters, organized crime, and gang-related trafficking. In addition to learning about specific recruiting and grooming techniques, the course will also cover effective interviewing strategies for victims, witnesses, and traffickers. The course will also address the intersection of cutting edge evidentiary issues, immigration relief, survivor stabilization, trial strategies and supply chains. Students will be exposed to all aspects of the United States approach to combat trafficking and comparative international approaches from the United Nations and countries throughout the world. John Cotton Richmond is the former Ambassador-at-Large for the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons.