School of Law Logo6:35pm 05/17/2026

Law School Course

Federal Indian Law

LAW 736 | 2-3 Hours

Federal Indian Law is a survey of the law that governs the relationship between tribal, federal, and state sovereigns. The course will include a discussion of the origins and scope of the federal recognition of tribal sovereignty and will look at the jurisdictional rules for which sovereigns can prosecute and who can regulate events that occur in Indian country. The course will also explore the special rules that govern Indian children (the Indian Child Welfare Act) and the power of tribes to engage in casino gaming enterprises (the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act). Finally, the course will explore the exercise of tribal religious practice and protections for tribal customs which are unique to the study of Indian tribes as sovereigns.