Community Development Law

2 units

This course is designed to introduce students to legal frameworks and tools which are essential for implementing community development programs at the local level. We will examine federal regulations, municipal ordinances, procurement policies and diverse types of contractual agreements, and develop normative frameworks drawing from law, economic policy, and political theory. Using St. Louis as a living laboratory, we will explore topics including city governance, public finance, tax policy and incentives, planning and land use, federal grants, procurement, housing law, and regional development challenges. While transactional law is often associated primarily with corporate practice, this course explores the field of public transactional law and its vital role in shaping urban communities. Class time will be split between traditional lectures and seminar style discussions. Because class discussion is a vital part of the course, regular class attendance, participation, and preparation are required. Students will also develop a white paper analyzing a local community development issue, offering an opportunity to engage with real-world challenges while developing practical legal skills applicable to public sector practice. Students will be evaluated based on the following: attendance and participation (10%); a policy white paper analyzing a local community development issue (30%); a presentation of the white paper (10%); and a three-hour in-class open-book final exam consisting of multiple choice and essay questions (50%).