LS 231 INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL STUDIES3 Credits
A study of the American legal system and the people who make it work. First introduces the role of legal professionals (lawyers and paralegals) and provides a general knowledge of the legal system structure and dispute resolution processes. Students then explore major substantive areas of law, examine the ethical rules governing legal work and learn basic legal skills such as case briefing, legal analysis, and legal research.
LS 232 LITIGATION/CIVIL PROCEDURES3 Credits
A study of the process used to resolve legal disputes. Will examine the federal and state rules of civil procedures, including the drafting of complaints, answers, pre-trial motions, interrogatories, depositions and other documents, discovery, jurisdiction, and the aspects of trial practice.
LS 233 TORTS3 Credits
An overview of basic personal injury and property damage law within the American legal system. Actual cases and hypothetical examples are used to illustrate the law of intentional torts, negligence, strict liability and tort defenses. Emphasis is placed on developing a working knowledge of substantive tort law through the development and analysis of facts, the construction and evaluation of alternative arguments, and the drafting of a variety of documents that are the basis for trial preparation.
LS 235 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW3 Credits
A study of the role and function of administrative agencies in contemporary society. This course focuses on the law governing agency discretion, rulemaking, enforcement, and decision-making powers. Special emphasis is given to administrative procedures and public rights.
LS 236 FAMILY LAW3 Credits
A study of the law governing families. Exploring the substantive law of marriage, divorce, legal separation, child support and custody, property division, alimony, decree modification and enforcement, and adoption. Special emphasis is placed on the drafting of documents necessary in family law cases.
LS 238 LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING I3 Credits
A study of basic legal research and legal analysis. Focusing on how to locate and analyze legal resources including constitutions, statutes, administrative rules and regulations, and cases. The fundamentals of legal writing, including legal citation, will be introduced. Special emphasis will be given to online legal research.
LS 323 LAW AND THE AMERICAN SOCIETY3 Credits
A study of the nature and function of the American legal system and its interrelationship with our social, political and economic institutions. This course examines the nature, functions, and limits of law and its impact on economic, political, and social institutions. Emphasis will be placed on debates of current legal issues.
Cross-Listed: LS323/SS323
Essential Studies: SLO #10
LS 331 CRIMINAL LAW3 Credits
A study of the general principles of criminal law and the specific elements of particular crimes. This course examines the sources of criminal law, the constitutional limitations on criminal law, the basic proof requirements for specific crimes, and the various defenses to criminal liability.
Prerequisites: LS 231 or CJ 231 and Sophomore or above status
LS 332 THE LAW OF CONTRACTS3 Credits
The study of privately created obligations and duties through agreement. This course introduces the law of contracts, including the elements of a contract, the formation of contracts, contract interpretation, obligations, third-party contract relationships, breach of contract, and remedies available. Emphasis is placed on the drafting and evaluation of contracts.
Prerequisites: Sophomore or above status
LS 333 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW3 Credits
A study of the development of the American governmental system through judicial interpretation of the Constitution. This class is rooted in the conviction that constitutional interpretation is an intricate blend of politics, economics, history, and competing values. This class will emphasize the institutional development of the Court, the evolving role of the judiciary, legislative and executive branches, the dominant theories of constitutional interpretation, the politics of judicial selection, and the ongoing relevance of constitutional interpretation.
Cross-Listed: CJ333/LS333/PS333
Prerequisites: Sophomore or above status
LS 334 CRIMINAL PROCEDURES3 Credits
A study of the rule of law in action. Students will examine procedural limitations in processing an individual through the criminal justice system with special emphasis on arrest, search and seizure, interrogation, identification and exclusion of evidence.
Cross-Listed: CJ334/LS334
Prerequisites: Sophomore or above status
LS 337 INTRODUCTION TO LAW3 Credits
A study of the American legal system, legalism in society and the relationship between law and justice. This course examines the structures of our legal system and considers economic, social, and political implications as they influence the development of a rule of law. Historical and present legal controversies will be examined.
Cross-Listed: CJ337/LS337/PS337
Prerequisites: Sophomore or above status
LS 338 LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING II3 Credits
A study of advanced legal research and writing principles. This course focuses on case synthesis, the creation of factual and policy arguments, and counteranalysis. Emphasis is placed upon completion of legal research projects including preparation of interoffice memoranda, court briefs and legal correspondence.
Prerequisites: LS 238 and Sophomore or above status
LS 343 COMMERCIAL LAW3 Credits
A study of the Uniform Commercial Code and related federal and state laws and their relevance to the law office environment and commercial business practice. This course will emphasize the sale of goods, negotiable instruments, bank deposits and collections, security agreements, and transactions in which personal property, such as equipment, inventory, or accounts receivable, serve as collateral for a debt.
LS 390 INTERNSHIP IN LEGAL STUDIES1-12 Credits
The student will gain practical experience in a law office, court, judicial office, or other law related agency. Open to upper division students majoring in the area of legal studies.
Add Consent: Department Consent
Notes: Interested students should contact the Internship and Career Services office to secure application materials; application should be made prior to the semester the internship will be started; the amount of credit will be based on the availability of a suitable work position, the qualifications of the applicant, and the work hours.
LS 400 INDEPENDENT STUDY OR RESEARCH1-3 Credits
Faculty-guided research in an area of mutual interest to the student and instructor. Students are responsible for selecting the area of inquiry prior to contacting the instructor.
Prerequisites: 15 hours of Legal Studies courses
Add Consent: Instructor Consent
Requirements: Permission of Dean, and Academic Vice President.
LS 431 ESTATE PLANNING3 Credits
A study of the ownership of assets and planned distribution. Students wiill explore the procedures, techniques, and law governing the administration of estates and trusts. Special emphasis will be placed on the drafting of wills, simple trusts, probate documents and advanced healthcare directives.
Prerequisites: Junior or above status
LS 432 JUVENILE LAW3 Credits
A study of the rights and duties of children, parents, and the state in both private and criminal arenas. This course examines the development of the legal status of children, constitutional rights of minors, the role of the state in relation to the family, state power to intervene in the lives of parents and children, and juvenile offenders in the justice system. Emphasis is placed on the juvenile justice process as it has developed in the United States.
Cross-Listed: CJ432/LS432
LS 433 RULES OF EVIDENCE3 Credits
A study of evidence and the rules governing its use. Examines what, how, and why certain objects or testimony should be admitted into, or excluded from, evidence in court. Topics include the problems of relevance, authentication, burdens of proof, presumptions, hearsay, opinion, and expert testimony.
Cross-Listed: CJ433/LS433
LS 434 LAW OF REAL ESTATE3 Credits
A study of the substantive law of real property, including legal descriptions, real estate finance, types of ownership, mechanics of transferring ownership, abstracts, title insurance, legal forms, and contract drafting.
Prerequisites: Junior or above status
LS 435 LAW OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS3 Credits
A study of sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies. This course will examine the advantages and disadvantages of different business entities and the formation and financial structure of each.
LS 436 ETHICS/PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY3 Credits
An overview of ethical considerations in the legal profession, including canons of ethics and ethical standards governing lawyers and legal assistants. The course examines client confidentiality, unauthorized practice of the law, conflicts of interest and disqualification, attorney-client privilege, the work product rule, financial matters, zealousness within the bounds of the law, and competence.
LS 438 TOPICS IN LAW3 Credits
Topics selected to meet the needs of students in a special area of interest in law.
Cross-Listed: CJ438/LS438
Prerequisites: Junior or above status
LS 442 HONORS IN LEGAL STUDIES3 Credits
Selected courses and topics designed for upper division students with a grade point average of 3.25 or above in all course work.
Cross-Listed: CJ442/LS442
Prerequisites: Junior or above status
Add Consent: Instructor Consent
Notes: May be repeated up to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.
LS 443 CORRECTIONAL LAW3 Credits
A study of major legal issues surrounding sentencing, incarceration, probation, parole, pardon, and related topics. This course provides a general overview of the law relating to persons in prison, jail or within the corrections system. Also investigates how civil and criminal law affects facilities, community-based corrections, and personnel working in the correctional system.
Cross-Listed: CJ443/LS443
Prerequisites: Junior or above status
LS 444 TOPICS IN TRANSACTIONAL LAW3 Credits
Topics selected to meet the needs of students in a special area of interest in transactional law.
Prerequisites: Junior or above status
LS 447 APPLIED ISSUES IN LEGAL STUDIES1-9 Credits
Projects, workshops, field experiences and seminars that focus on a specialized area of Legal Studies.
Prerequisites: Junior or above status
Add Consent: Instructor Consent
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