State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Law
Law-631 Administrative Law, Fall 2004

Professor Errol Meidinger
eemeid@buffalo.edu 
http://www.law.buffalo.edu/eemeid
719 O'Brian Hall, North Campus
Telephone: 716 645 6692
Fax: 716 645 2064

Secretary: Lois Stutzman
 stutzman@acsu.buffalo.edu 
718 O’Brian Hall
Telephone: 716 645 5984

 
Announcements Page  

Syllabus

Appdx. 1 APA

Appdx. 2 FACA

Appdx. 3 NRA

Appdx. 4 Const

Appdx. 5 FOIA

Expert Schedule

Field Study Assignment

'98 Exam 
'99 Exam  
'00 Exam
'01 Exam
'03 Exam

 COURSE DESCRIPTION  This course provides an intensive introduction to modern administrative government and the law organizing it. Topics addressed include the nature and structure of administrative agencies, forms of and procedures for making administrative policy, relationships between administrative agencies, interest groups and other elements of "the public," delegation of authority to and within administrative agencies, administrative discretion and ways of controlling it, and judicial review of administrative actions.

TEXT  Funk, Shapiro, and Weaver, Administrative Procedure and Practice: Problems and Cases, 2nd ed., West Publishing, 2001.  

CLASS REQUIREMENTS  Every class member is expected to 

  • complete and think about readings before the session for which they are assigned
  • participate in class discussions
  • serve as an "expert" for several class discussions, and, potentially, follow up on specific issues that may come up in class
  • obtain an email account and utilize a web browser with which to remain current on class assignments and follow-up communications
  • write one short paper describing and analyzing an administrative proceeding chosen by the student
  • complete a final exam surveying all of the material discussed in the course. The final will be a closed book exam written with old fashioned stylus technology.

GRADING POLICY  Final grades will be based primarily on the exam, but participation will also be considered. Satisfactory completion of the agency study is necessary to receive credit for the course.

READING ASSIGNMENTS  Reading assignments will be heavy (approximately 40 pages per class) because we are scheduled to cover the whole subject in only 16 class sessions. Administrative law is a subject that is easy to get lost in, so it will be important for all students to keep up with the reading. We will discuss in the first class or two whether to extend the class through Block 3.

Last Updated 09/09/04