This intensive class is designed to give students, particularly from Colorado and neighboring states, an appreciation of the importance of allocation of water resources in the American West. Participants will learn of the common law and civil law approaches to the distribution of water in arid regions, the transportation of water from one basin to another, and a hierarchy of competing uses for the water. Water was first viewed as an instrumentality of transportation (and the main impetus behind junking the Articles of Confederation in favor of the Constitution), later as power for industry, irrigation for agriculture, and the water resource behind the growth of cities of the American west. Las Vegas and Phoenix, for example, would have been mere refueling stations on the transcontinental railroads were it not for massive water projects to make the desert bloom. Special emphasis will be given to Colorado's unique system of water courts and water judges.

INSTRUCTOR: Bill Thoms, J.D.
E-mail: rrbill@hotmail.com

EXPECTATIONS: This is an accelerated course. You will be expected to spend an average of at least 8 hours per week reading and completing assignments. Please note that, barring extenuating circumstances, extensions will not be granted for this online course. This course is the equivalent of at least 45 course contact hours. 70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for this course.

OBJECTIVE: Participants will learn how the law has influenced the growth of the west and the various forms of ownership that people can exercise over the inland waters of the United States. Particular emphasis will be given to adjudication of competing claims to a finite resource, water. Students will leave the course with an appreciation of the importance of water to western civilization, and the rights and duties of upstream and downstream riparians. Although this course is concerned with US water law, the student will also recognize the importance of the free flow of water between the US and its continental neighbors, Canada and Mexico.

REQUIRED TEXT: Water Law in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition, West Publishing Company, 1997, ISBN #0-314-21157-8.
This book is available from The Center for Legal Studies by calling 1-800-522-7737 or Order Now Online

Optional Textbook: Black's Law Dictionary, 3rd edition, by Bryan A. Garner, West Publishing Company, 2006, ISBN 0-314-15862-6, is also available from The Center for Legal Studies.

TESTS: For each lesson you will submit a 50-point short answer/essay assignment covering the topics in that lesson's reading. These tests are due by 9:00 a.m. each Friday.

EXAMS: You will complete two exams. Each is worth 100 points. The Midterm exam is to be submitted with your Lesson Three Assignments; the Final exam is to be submitted with your Lesson Six Assignments.

BULLETIN BOARD ASSIGNMENTS: You will also post your responses to six class participation assignments. These assignments are referred to as Bulletin Board Submissions and will be submitted by either selecting Bulletin Board Submission from within the lesson material, or by selecting 'Forums' under Activities on the Left Hand Block.

All lesson objectives, assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Materials.

GRADING
Your grade will be based on your completion of six tests, two exams, and class participation/Bulletin Board Submissions. The exams and tests can be accessed from within the lesson material, or by selecting 'Assignments' under Activities on the Left Hand Block. You will have the opportunity to engage in "class participation" by using the Bulletin Board tool to respond to the bulletin board assignments throughout the course. Also, participating in the bulletin board assignments will enhance your understanding of the reading material.

Your final grade will be figured as follows:

• The six tests are worth 50 points each and comprise 60% of your grade.
• The two exams are worth 100 points and comprise 30% of your grade.
• Your participation in class participation assignments comprises 10% of your grade.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Students may drop the course with a full tuition refund less a non-refundable $15 administrative fee if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email at info@legalstudies.com by the Wednesday before class begins. Students may drop the course with a 50% tuition refund if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email at info@legalstudies.com anytime from the Thursday before the course begins until the first Thursday of class. After the first Thursday of class, no refunds will be issued.