The Content of Consumer Law Classes

Abstract

Attendees at the University of Houston Law Center Conference titled Teaching Consumer Law: The Who, What, Where, Why, When and How were surveyed to determine what topics they covered in consumer law classes. Twenty-five responses were received, representing fourteen survey classes, five clinics, and six miscellaneous responses. The responses indicated considerable diversity in the topics covered. No topic was covered by more than 21 professors and each of the 32 topics listed on the survey instrument was discussed by at least four professors. Under the circumstances, it seems difficult to claim that consumer protection classes have a canon agreed upon by those who teach them. The responses, including those in survey courses, indicate that coverage is not static; many professors taught subjects that arose only recently, such as the subprime lending meltdown and statutes enacted since 1999.