PROPERTY A SPRING 2015:
CLASS ASSIGNMENTS (January 16-April 2)
Numbers in parentheses preceded by P indicate pages in Property Law: Ownership, Use & Conservation; numbers preceded by S indicate pages in the instructor’s supplemental materials;
numbers preceded by IM indicate pages in Information Memos available on the course page; numbers preceded by E indicate pages in Estates and Land & Future Interests (4th ed.).
FRI JAN 16: Introduction to the Course; Jacque
ALL: Introductory Material (IM2-18)
Notes on “The Right to Exclude” and “Trespass” (P52)
Jacque & Notes 1-4, 6 (P53-58)
Discussion Questions 1.01-1.02 (S1-2)
TUE JAN 20: Jacque cont’d; Intro to Shack
ALL: Discussion Questions 1.03-1.05 (S2)
Shack (S2-6)
THU JAN 22: Shack cont’d
ALL: Discussion Questions 1.06-07 (S7)
FRI JAN 23: Shack cont’d
ALL: Discussion Questions 1.08-1.11 (S7)
TUE JAN 27: Shack cont’d
Last Names A-F: Discussion Questions 1.13-1.14 (S7)
Last Names G-M: Discussion Questions 1.12, 1.15(a) (S7)
THU JAN 29: Application of Shack cont’d
Last Names O-Y: Discussion Question 1.15(b) (S7)
ARCHES: Review Problem 1A (S8) (Arguments for Landowner)
BISCAYNE: Review Problem 1A (S8) (Arguments for MWs/LON)
FRI JAN 30: Application of Shack cont’d; Florida MW Statutes
REDWOOD: Review Problem 1B (S8) (Arguments for Landowner)
SHENANDOAH: Review Problem 1B (S8) (Arguments for MWs/Pizza)
ALL: Florida Statutes Related to Housing for Migrant Workers (S10-14)
Discussion Question 1.16-1.19 (S15)
TUE FEB 3: Private Property Open to the Public; Brooks
ALL: Common Law Privileges: Notes 1-2 (P83)
Note: Civil Rights Laws (P85)
Brooks & Note 3 (P79-84)
YELLOWSTONE: Discussion Questions 1.20-1.23 (S15)
THU FEB 5: (Jail Day; Class Ends 9:15): Brooks (cont’d); Rev Prob 1K (Part ii); Rev. Prob 1J
BISCAYNE: Rev Prob 1K (Part ii) (S18-20)
REDWOOD: Rev. Prob. 1J (S17)
FRI FEB 6: Free Speech Rights & JMB
ALL: J.M.B. Realty Corp. & Notes 1-5 (P86-95)
ARCHES: Discussion Questions 1.24-1.28 (S16)
TUE FEB 10: (Jail Day; Class Ends 9:15): Intro to Chapter Two; Midkiff
ALL: Introductory Note (P171) & Note 6 (P188-89)
Midkiff (S21-26)
YELLOWSTONE: Discussion Questions 2.01-2.03 (S21)
Discussion Questions 2.04-2.07(a) (S26)
THU FEB 12: Rev. Prob. 1I; Rev. Prob. 2A; Poletown
SHENANDOAH: Review Problem 1I (S17
ALL: Note 2 & 1st Paragraph of Note 3 (P185-86)
Poletown (Facts from Ryan, J., Dissenting) (S27-28)
BISCAYNE: Discussion Questions 2.07(b)/Rev. Prob. 2A (S26)
Discussion Questions 2.08-2.09 (S28)
FRI FEB 13: (Extendo-Class Ends 9:45) Rev. Prob. 1K(i); Hatchcock
ARCHES: Review Problem 1K(i) (S18)
ALL: Hatchcock (Described in Note 3 on P186-87)
REDWOOD: Discussion Questions 2.10-2.11 (S29)
TUE FEB 17: Review Problem 2B; Kelo
SHENANDOAH: Review Problem 2B (S28) (Arguments for Plaintiffs/Landowners)
YELLOWSTONE: Review Problem 2B (S28) (Arguments for Defendant/City)
ARCHES: Review Problem 2B (S28) (Critique; See Instructions Below)
Submission Due Thursday 2/19 @ 10:00 a.m.
ALL: Kelo Majority Opinion & Concurrence (P172-80); Notes 1 & 4 (P185, 187-88)
BISCAYNE: Discussion Questions 2.12-2.14 (S29)
THU FEB 19: Review Problem 2C; Kelo cont’d
REDWOOD: Review Problem 2C (S29) (Arguments for Plaintiffs/Landowners)
ARCHES: Review Problem 2C (S29) (Arguments for Defendant/City)
SHENANDOAH: Review Problem 2C (S29) (Critique; See Instructions Below)
Submission Due Saturday 2/21 @ 10:00 a.m.
ALL: Kelo Dissents (P180-85) & Merrill Approach (Note 5 P188)
YELLOWSTONE: Discussion Questions 2.15-2.17 (S30)
FRI FEB 20: Review Problem 2D; Intro to Chapter 3
BISCAYNE: Review Problem 2D (S30)
ALL: Lecture Introducing Chapter 3
Overview of Intestate Succession (S34-36)
State Intestacy Statutes (S36-40) (skim)
Overview of Selected Wills Issues (S40-44)
Selected Florida Laws Relating to Wills (S45-48) (skim)
TUE FEB 24: Review Problem 2G; Will Formalities
YELLOWSTONE: Review Problem 2G (S32) (Arguments for Plaintiff/Sara)
Further Instructions Forthcoming
SHENANDOAH: Review Problem 2G (S32) (Arguments for Defendant/County)
Further Instructions Forthcoming
REDWOOD: Review Problem 2G (S32) (Critique; See Instructions Below)
Submission Due Thursday 2/26 @ 10:00 a.m.
ALL: Weiss (S48-49)
Stasis (S49-52)
ARCHES: Discussion Questions 3.01-3.02 (S52)
THU FEB 26: Will Formalities Cont’d; State of Mind Issues
ALL: Langbein, Substantial Compliance with the Wills Act (S52-60)
Info on Competency & Capacity (S43) (Review)
Strittmater’s Estate (S62-63)
Info on Fraud, Duress & Undue Influence (S43-44) (Review)
Fl. Stat. §732.5165 &733.107 (S47)
Estate of Webb (S65-70)
ARCHES: Discussion Questions 3.03-3.04 (S61)
BISCAYNE: Discussion Questions 3.05-3.06 (S63)
Discussion Questions 3.07-3.08 (S70)
FRI FEB 27: (Extendo-Class Ends 9:45) Review Problems 3B, 3C; Intro to Chapter 4
ALL: Intro to Chapter 4 (Lecture)
Overviews (P517-21; S73-78; E1-8)
Fee Simple Absolute (P521-25; E8-10, E39-41)
Finite Estates (P525-28, P534; E10-19)
REDWOOD: Review Problem 3B (S62) (Formalities Issues)
SHENANDOAH: Review Problem 3B (S62) (Substantial Compliance)
YELLOWSTONE: Review Problem 3C (S64)
TUE MAR 3: Review Problem 3B (Undue Influence); Chapter 4 MateriaLS Cont’d
ARCHES: Review Problem 3B (S62) (Arguments for Plaintiffs/M’s Relatives)
BISCAYNE: Review Problem 3B (S62) (Arguments for Defendant/Jessica)
YELLOWSTONE: Review Problem 3B (S62) (Critique; See Instructions Below)
Submission Due Thursday 3/5 @ 10:00 a.m.
ALL: Instructor’s Overview of Future Interests (S79-83)
Reversions (P534-35; E41-42)
Remainders (P536-37, P538-39; E51-69)
Notes on Contngent Remainders (P543-44; P560-61)
REDWOOD: Discussion Questions 4.01-4.04 (S87-88)
SHENANDOAH: Problems 4A-4E (S92)
THU MAR 5: Review Problem 3D (Capacity); Chapter 4 Material Cont’d
SHENANDOAH: Review Problem 3D (S64-65) (Arguments for Plaintiffs/A & B)
REDWOOD: Review Problem 3D (S64-65) (Arguments for Defendant/MMS)
BISCAYNE: Review Problem 3D (S64-65) (Critique; See Instructions Below)
Submission Due Saturday 3/7 @ 10:00 a.m.
ALL: Defeasible Fees (S76-78 (review)); P528-30, P533-34; E21-37, E42-49)
Mahrenholz Appellate Opinion (S88-93)
Note: “Differentiating …” (P530-34)
YELLOWSTONE: Problems 4F-4H (S88)
FRI MAR 6: Mahrenholz (cont’d);
ARCHES: Discussion Questions 4.05-4.08 (S93-94)
BISCAYNE: Discussion Questions 4.09-4.12 (S94)
SAT MAR 7-SUN MAR 15: Spring Break
SAT MAR 14: First Exam Sample Answer (Optional): Due at Noon
TUE MAR 17: Executory Interests; Problems 4J-4N
ALL: Executory Interests (P536-37; S83; E71-83, E97-107)
Some Additional Complexities (E85-96; 109-26)
Note 1 (P565-66) & Notes 1-3 (P570-71)
Rabin & Kwall, Note on Restraints on Personal Conduct (S95-96)
YELLOWSTONE: Problems 4J-4N (S94-95)
THU MAR 19: Problems 4I & 4O & Shapira
ALL: Shapira (S96-99)
Discussion Question 4.15 (S99)
REDWOOD: Problem 4I (S94)
Discussion Question 4.13 (S99)
SHENANDOAH: Problem 4O (S95)
Discussion Question 4.14 (S99)
FRI MAR 20: (Extendo-Class Ends 9:45); Problems 4R, 4S, 4U; Intro to Chapter 5
BISCAYNE: Problems 4R-4S (S103)
ARCHES: Problem 4U (S104)
ALL: Overview of the Doctrine (S105-06) & Note on Color of Title (S106)
Note 3 (Color of Title) (P114) & Notes 1-4 (Justifications) (P101-03)
YELLOWSTONE: Discussion Questions 5.01-5.03 (S108)
TUE MAR 24: Chapter 4 Exam 8:00-9:10am
THU MAR 26: Acual Use; Open & Notorious
ALL: Sample Statutes (Skim): Florida (S106-07) & New York (in Lutz note c on S110)
Lutz (S108-14)
Ray (P96-99)
E. 13th St. (P99-101)
Bell (S114-18)
Vezey (P107-13)
REDWOOD: Actual Use: Note 1 (S118) & Note 2 (P113-14)
Discussion Questions 5.04-5.07 (S119)
SHENANDOAH: Open & Notorious: Note 2 (S119-20) & Note 4 (P114-15)
Discussion Questions 5.08-5.11 (S120)
FRI MAR 27: (Extendo-Class Ends 9:45); Exclusive; Continuous; Adv/Hostile
BISCAYNE: Exclusive: Note 3 (S121); Note 6 (P116); Note 10 (P118)
Pennsylvania Statute (S107-08)
Discussion Questions 5.12-5.15 (S121)
ARCHES: Continuous: Note 4 (S123); Note 8 (P105); Note 10 (P107); Note 7 (P116)
Discussion Questions 5.16-5.18 (S124)
YELLOWSTONE: Adv/Hostile, etc.: Notes 5-6 (S124-25); Note 3 (P110); Note 5 (P115-16)
Discussion Questions 5.19-5.21 (S125)
TUE MAR 31: Boundary Disputes, Rev Probs 5A & 5C
SHENANDOAH: Boundary Disputes: Special Issues: Note 8 (S126); Note 11 (P118)
Dorschner, Nightmare on 68th Street (1992) (S127-36)
Discussion Questions 5.22-5.24 (S137)
REDWOOD: Review Problem 5A (S119)
BISCAYNE: Review Problem 5C (S122)
THU APR 2: Rev Prob 5I; Adv Poss Policy; Intro to Chapter 6
ALL: Policy Implications: Generally (Notes 5-6) (P103-04)
Notes on Squatting (Note 9) (P105-07) & Environment (Note 6) (P123)
Discussion Question 5.25 (S138)
ARCHES: Review Problem 5I (S138)
ALL & YELLOWSTONE: Chapter 6 Material TBA
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES
SAT APR 18: Second Exam Sample Answer (Optional): Due at Noon
TUE APR 21: Last Property Class
FRI APR 24: Review Session (Time & Place TBA)
MON APR 27: Property Final Exam
INSTRUCTIONS FOR CRITIQUES
During the semester, I will assign each panel to “Critique” the in-class discussion of two Review Problems (one before Spring Break and one after). Your primary task will be to evaluate the arguments made in class by your classmates (as opposed to critiquing the problem itself).
When you are assigned to do a Critique for a particular Review Problem, you should prepare for the problem as though you were on call. You will listen to the in-class discussion of the Review Problem by the other panels and then e-mail to me within 48 hours[1] a submission with your name at the top containing the following five numbered paragraphs:
(1) A brief description of an argument made by one of the plaintiff’s lawyers that you thought was strong and a brief explanation of why you liked it.
(2) A brief description of an argument made by one of the plaintiff’s lawyers that you thought was weak and a brief explanation of why you didn’t like it.
(3) A brief description of an argument made by one of the defendant’s lawyers that you thought was strong and a brief explanation of why you liked it.
(4) A brief description of an argument made by one of the defendant’s lawyers that you thought was weak and a brief explanation of why you didn’t like it.
(5) One significant argument that nobody raised during the class discussion, described in enough detail that your reasoning is clear to me.
The Critiques are informal assignments. You don’t need to use proper citation form or any particular format. You should not include any introduction, transitions, or conclusion, just the five numbered paragraphs described above. However, do try to write clearly and do proofread. You may put your critique either into the body of the e-mail or into a separate document.
Although informal, your two Critiques are required submissions. Failure to turn them in on time or failure to include the necessary paragraphs will incur penalties. If you are unable to be present for the discussion you are supposed to critique, let me know and I will provide you with an alternate assignment. As an encouragement to take them seriously, I will take into account especially thoughtful Critiques when determining your class participation score.
[1] Historically, some students have e-mailed me their Critiques before the end of the class session in which we discussed the relevant Review Problem. Keep in mind that doing this, while efficient in some sense, is unlikely to meet with my unqualified approval because it (i) strongly suggests that you weren’t paying attention to the rest of the class; (ii) demonstrates you were using your computer in a forbidden way; and (iii) generally precludes careful proofreading.