Seminar: Cultural Property Law

(Same as Law M514.) Exploration of identity, ownership, appropriation, and repatriation of both tangible and intangible cultural property—those items that are of great significance to cultural heritage and cultural survival of people. Consideration of importance of preservation of cultural property as means of maintaining group identity, self-determination, and collective rights. Examination of both international and domestic law governing these issues, addressing such questions as How should cultural property be defined? Can cultural property by protected under existing intellectual property and cultural property regimes? How can we balance protection of cultural property against need or desire for its use in creative expression or scientific advancement? Examination of cultural property of groups in general, with emphasis on cultural property of indigenous peoples, including folklore, traditional knowledge, burial grounds, sacred sites, and ancient ceremonies and traditions.

S/U or letter grading.