Pre-Law Summer Academy: Environmental Law and Native American & Indigenous Peoples’ Rights
Montclair’s Pre-Law Program and Department of Anthropology are thrilled to deliver an impactful learning experience that introduces you to important legal issues involving the environment, Native Americans, and indigenous communities across the globe. Participants will learn about the trial process by preparing arguments for a fictitious land contamination case involving a dairy farmer and a hydro-fracking company. Students will connect the case material with local and global events by engaging with the Ramapough Lenape (a New Jersey State recognized tribal nation), researching policies that impact Indigenous People and forming solutions to complex challenges. The learning experience includes instruction on foundational laws and judicial decisions that have shaped the current state of affairs and exposes students to the skills needed to be successful in college and law school.
As a Pre-Law Summer Academy participant, you will:
- Think critically about what it means to own land, air, and water as well as the social and cultural values associated with their use.
- Develop legal arguments for your client in a case involving water contamination, loss of dairy cows, and the pursuit of cutting-edge energy products that could uplift the local economy.
- Practice applying laws and rules to sets of facts and advocating for an outcome by writing and delivering an Opening Statement to the class and a judge for a mock trial exercise.
- Research and present a report on issues environmental issues impacting Native Americans and Indigenous People across the globe.
- Collectively identify problems and solutions for current environmental law issues.
To further connect the course content with real world events, we will take field trips to meet with the Ramapough Lenape community, tour a law school campus, and connect with law practitioners. These experiences allow students to bond as a group, reflect on their values, and apply critical thinking skills to current challenges.
Program Dates: Sunday, July 14 – Saturday, July 20, 2024
Program Director: Isabelle Ramos, Director, Pre-Law Program, College of Humanities and Social Science
Email: prelaw@montclair.edu