Course Listing For Legal Studies Courses

Foundations for Legal Studies provides students with an overview of the study of law and the skills required to prepare for a career in the legal field. The foundation for this learning is established through examination of the origins and the sources of law and the expression of legal theory. Fundamental skills introduced in this course include the performance of legal research through case law and the development of foundational legal writing through case briefing using the Chicago Style Manual method, preferred in the legal profession. Students will learn to examine and analyze case law which will aid in the development of legal reasoning and problem solving.

This course will provide a foundation and overview of the legal discipline. The focus of the course will be on the development of justice and law, on constitutional concepts and theories and on the political and judicial systems in our country.

This course will provide an examination of the Constitutional underpinnings of criminal and civil law as it applies to the fields of criminal justice, law, investigations and security management. Special focus will be devoted to an overview of the American court system, specific elements of crime, the operation of civil jurisprudence, and a review of the policies and procedures that influence law in America.

This course will address ethical issues in law using the various state codes of professional responsibility. Special emphasis will be given to an examination of the relationship between ethical principles, and moral and normative judgments.

An examination of the origins of the American system of jurisprudence will include a comparative analysis with prominent international legal systems. This course will provide an overview of the structure of the American court system and will define the complex notion of jurisdiction.

This course explores the myriad resources available for legal research and reporting, case-law analysis and the repositories for statutory, administrative, and judicial rule and decision-making. Extensive practical writing applications for legal briefs, memoranda and professional communication will utilize a case-study methodology.

In depth examination of the historic underpinnings of the Constitution and Bill of Rights will focus on the role of the judiciary in the creation of public policy and the expansion of civil liberties. Critical analysis will focus upon developing predictive models for judicial decision-making and the ongoing debate about the role of the judiciary in America. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Legal Studies (LGLS) accelerated degree completion program.

Practical application of the rules of civil and criminal procedure will be examined with a focus on the impact of these rules on the administration of the court system. Special attention is devoted to service of process, disclosure, discovery, search and seizure and confrontation rules as well as an examination of minimum sentencing guidelines and trends in civil and criminal penalties.

This course provides a critical analysis of the application of laws impacting the operation of modern capitalist structures, businesses and social organizations. In depth examinations of the role and restrictions of tort law, products liability, principles of contract and the Uniform Commercial Code will be conducted. Human resource regulation, bankruptcy, securities regulation and priority interest analysis will be applied using case study methodology. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Legal Studies (LGLS) accelerated degree completion program.

This course will provide concrete analysis of the application of law to the administration of property rights, real estate, and risk assessment, tax and investment policy formulation. Special emphasis will be provided for an assessment of the societal impact of probate, estate and gift taxation and regulation, and a review of laws applied to schools, foundations, philanthropy and other social organizations. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the Legal Studies (LGLS) accelerated degree completion program.