Seton Hall Law Introduces Three Innovative Seminars for 2025–26 Academic Year

Seton Hall University School of Law is expanding its curriculum with three timely and thought-provoking seminars designed to engage students in critical conversations at the intersection of law, ethics, and society. The new offerings, spanning topics from ancient wisdom on justice, to cutting-edge questions about biotechnology and artificial intelligence, to the challenges of patient access to medical products, reflect the Law School’s commitment to preparing graduates for leadership in a rapidly changing legal environment.

“These courses represent the best of Seton Hall Law: a curriculum that is both rooted in enduring questions of justice and responsive to the most pressing issues of our time,” said Dean Ronald Weich. “Our faculty are respected leaders in their fields who bring extraordinary expertise and insight to the classroom. By continually developing new courses, they ensure our students are equipped to meet the evolving needs of the legal profession with skill, creativity, and integrity.”

Read more about each new course:

Faith, Values and Rule of Law Colloquium

Led by Professor David Opderbeck, this year-long, hybrid seminar asks some of the most fundamental questions about the relationship between law, justice, and human purpose. Students will explore how religious traditions - Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Indigenous, and others - have shaped legal thought across history, and how these perspectives continue to resonate in today’s “secular age.” Through online study, primary texts, guest speakers, and in-person Convivium gatherings, the course creates a cross-generational dialogue about what it means to build a good society and uphold the rule of law.

Medical AI and Biotechnology Regulations

Taught by Professor Anjali Deshmukh, this seminar examines the rapidly evolving landscape of biomedical innovation, from CRISPR therapies to AI-driven medical technologies. Students will analyze how law, regulation, and ethics respond to scientific advancements that often outpace existing legal frameworks. With no technical background required, the course offers a comprehensive look at intellectual property, FDA oversight, insurance and reimbursement, and the global implications of biotech-driven healthcare.

Therapeutic Choice & Access to Medical Products (HLTH8530WW)

Professor Liz Guo will lead this seminar, which explores how FDA regulation and related health policies affect the therapeutic options available to patients. Focusing on themes of access, authorization, and interagency relationships, students will engage with pressing issues such as vaccines, psychedelic drugs, lethal injection, and reproductive health. The course offers an in-depth look at the balance between patient autonomy and regulatory authority.

Together, these new offerings underscore Seton Hall Law’s mission to form lawyers who are thoughtful, forward-looking, and equipped to make an impact across diverse areas of practice. By engaging with both timeless questions and cutting-edge challenges, students will be prepared to lead with both wisdom and innovation.