Legal Studies Courses

Courses with the designation (GP) satisfy the Global Perspective Elective requirement in the General Education core curriculum.

LAW 2000 INTRODUCTION TO LAW (3)
An introductory course designed to cover the responsibilities and standards governing paralegals/legal assistants. An overview of the major specialty practice areas within the law, with an emphasis upon the research and analysis methods for each specialty area. Research methods involving career opportunities are part of the course. Legal terminology and Communications will be emphasized. Legal ethics is an integral part of this course. The Introductory class has a dual purpose: to give an overview for the field of practice; and, to give the students sufficient knowledge and expertise to choose from the Elective course offerings. Legal Terminology and Communications are two of the law subjects that are tested in the Certified Legal Assistant Examination. This course is offered every fall and spring semester.
Prerequisite: none

LAW 2500 ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS I (3)
Use of Code of Federal Register (CFR), US environmental laws and regulations including: CERCLA: Comprehensive Environmental Response & Compensation Liability Act (Superfund) EPCRA (SARA Title III): Emergency Planning Community Right To Know Act NEPA: National Environmental Policy Act OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration: 29 CFR 1910 RCRA: Resource Conservation Recovery Act (Cradle to Grave) SARA: Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act TSCA: Toxic Substances Control Act CWA: Clean Water Act SDWA: Safe Drinking Water Act CAA: Clean Air Act HWDA: Hazardous Waste Disposal Act Primary function: Development of practical approaches to meet compliance and liability requirements of applicable laws and regulations. Secondary functions: Sources and regulations of air and drinking water pollution, wastewater treatment and discharge, remediation programs, and reporting of release of pollutants into the environment.
Prerequisite: none
Cross-listed with ENM 2500
Offered: fall (odd years)

LAW 2510 CARIBBEAN NATURAL RESOURCES AND LAW (3) (GP)
This course will expose students to a different culture and language for one week. Site visits and lectures will focus on the host country. Emphasis will be given to speaking Spanish and understanding the role of Puerto Rico’s unique and distinctive culture in the following areas: rain forests, coastal resources, eco-tourism, industry, management, and legal issues.
Prerequisite: none
Cross-listed with ENM 2510
Offered: every other fall

LAW 3100 LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM (3)
This course examines the traditions and historical development of the law in America, emphasizing the judicial process. Topics include the types and sources of law, the structure and functions of the state and federal court systems, civil and criminal law procedure, and judicial governance with special attention placed on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Prerequisite: none
Cross-listed with PSC 3100 and JUS 3100
Offered: spring

LAW 3200 LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING (3)
The course provides comprehensive coverage of their resources, methods, and processes critical to successful practice in the field of law, as well as preparation for law school. Legal ethics is an integral part of this course. The course is designed to fully integrate the use of hard copy and on-line law, and law related, research materials. Legal research and writing skills are critical to success in the field of law. Research, analysis, and legal writing methods are the focus of this course. The techniques used in making critical judgments, analytical decisions, and study methods are emphasized in the course. Legal Research, Judgment and Analytical Ability are two of the law subjects that are tested in the Certified Legal Assistant Examination.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: spring

LAW 3520 BUSINESS LAW I (3)
The organization and theory of the American legal system and its relationship with the business environment, including contracts, tort law, and parts of the Uniform Commercial Code and its provisions concerning sales, the law of agency, and employment law.
Prerequisites: ENG 1040 or permission of the instructor, division head, or college dean.
Cross-listed with BUS 3520
Offered: fall and spring

LAW 3700 TORT LAW (3)
An overview of Tort law. A study of case law and of motion practice. Students will be taught an overview of the practice of Tort law to include issues such as civil wrongs, remedies, product liability and negligence in general. Remedies will also be addressed. Legal ethics is an integral part of this course.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall (even years) or as needed

LAW 3710 CONTRACT LAW (3)
This course covers the foundations of Contract law. Students will be taught an overview of the practice of Contract law to include issues such as civil wrongs, breeches of contracts, Uniform Commercial Code and the area of contract formation. Students will also be taught the necessary procedures to enforce contracts. Legal ethics is an integral part of this course.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: spring (odd years) or as needed

LAW 3770 EMPLOYMENT LAW (3)
An overview of Employment Law in the workplace. A study of case law, regulations, and statutes on such issues as Title VII and Civil Rights Act. The Americans with Disabilities Act, Age Discrimination, National Origin Discrimination, and other areas of Employment Law. Students will also be taught various issues of Employment law such as interviewing and job performance evaluations.
Prerequisite: none
Cross-listed with BUS 3770

LAW 3780 LABOR RELATIONS LAW (3)
This course is a focus of the legal relationship between corporations and collective bargaining agents. It involves unionization, maintaining union free status, and de-unionization. Labor law draws upon the management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling within both structural and behavior contexts. Emphasis is given to the role of managers within a broader society of laws, interpersonal relationships, inter-group relations, and leadership. Student groups (teams) are created and used throughout the course to study the course content through case studies and experience the dynamics of resolving cases.
Prerequisite: none
Cross-listed with BUS 3780

LAW 3820 BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS (3)
The course covers the legal foundations for the practice of Business Law, and the creation, practice, and dissolution of business organizations. It is designed to give a minimum overview, with an emphasis on current practices. The tax consequences of Business Organizations are covered only in overview format. Legal ethics is an integral part of this course. Business Organizations is one of the law subjects that is tested in the Certified Legal Assistant Examination.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: spring (even years)

LAW 3850 THE U.S. CONSTITUTION (3)
Prayer in schools, abortion, gay rights, burning the American flag, term limits-these are some of the constitutional issues this course examines as it studies the actors and actions that develop constitutional law. Topics include leading Supreme Court decisions, the amending process, separation of powers, federalism, economic liberties, civil liberties, civil rights, and due process.
Prerequisite: none
Cross-listed with PSC 3850
Offered: fall (odd years)

LAW 3890 CRIMINAL EVIDENCE AND PROCEDURE (3)
A study of criminal law and various theories of criminal evidence available to prosecutors. Emphasis is placed on legal principles governing forensic analysis and the handling of evidence during a criminal investigation.
Prerequisites: none
Cross-listed: JUS 3890
Offered: fall

LAW 3900 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW (3)
The course covers the administrative law field, Federal and state. The emphasis of the course is on the rules, regulations, and interpretations of the regulatory practice of Administrative Law. It is directly applicable to research and analysis methods of other discipline areas that are controlled by Federal, state, and county regulations. Legal ethics is an integral part of this course. Administrative Law is one of the law subjects that is tested in the Certified Legal Assistant Examination.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: spring (even years)

LAW 3910 NEGOTIATIONS (3)
This course is a focus study of the management topic of negotiation. Negotiation draws upon the management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling within both structural and behavioral contexts. Emphasis is given to individual behavior, interpersonal relationships, small groups, inter-group relations, and leadership. Student groups (teams) are created and used throughout the course to study the course content through case studies and to experience the dynamics of negotiating.
Prerequisite: none
Cross-listed with BUS 3910

LAW 3920 REAL PROPERTY LAW (3)
The course covers the legal foundations of Property Law and the practice of Real Estate Law. The focus is on the underlying principles that define what it is to control property. The control over real estate is taught in conjunction with the known principles of Property Law. Legal ethics is an integral part of this course. Real Estate Law is one of the law subjects that is tested in the Certified Legal Assistant Examination.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall (odd years)

LAW 3940 WILLS, TRUSTS, ESTATE PLANNING AND PROBATE (3)
The course covers the legal principles of the creation of wills and trusts. The activities of estate planning are covered for the procedures of current practice. The law of Probate is covered with an emphasis upon the underlying principles being applied to current practice. Legal ethics is an integral part of this course. Estate Planning and Probate is one of the law subjects that is tested in the Certified Legal Assistant Examination.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall (even years)

LAW 3960 FAMILY LAW (3)
The course covers the legal principles that govern family law, within the practice of creation, dissolution, and management of family units. The legal management of the family unit is covered through various societal settings: individual family; education; welfare; and other current practice areas. Legal ethics is an integral part of this course. Family Law is one of the law subjects that is tested in the Certified Legal Assistant Examination.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall (even years)

LAW 3980 LITIGATION (3)
The course covers all aspects of litigation: the procedure (Civil and Criminal); the process; document preparation; research and analysis of the production of documents; and the applicable court rules (Federal and state) that govern the litigation process. Management of complex calendars, document analysis, and document production is emphasized. Legal ethics is an integral part of this course. Litigation is one of the law subjects that is tested in the Certified Legal Assistant Examination.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: fall (odd years)

LAW 4700 INTERNSHIP (3)
The internship provides a structured, supervised, career experience within the field of law. Legal ethics is an integral part of this course. Placement in the work environment requires that the student have successfully completed all required paralegal courses with an overall grade point average of a 3.0 in those courses as well as completed half of the elective courses. The students are required to complete 120 contact hours. Please note students must register for the internship course during the same semester they are completing the internship. For example, you cannot register for an internship class in the fall for an internship completed over the summer. Cross listed with JUS 4700. Students using a JUS internship to fill this requirement must get approval from both the division head and the director of legal studies.
Prerequisites: Permission from the Director of the program and division head
Cross-listed with JUS 4700
Offered: fall and spring

LAW 4850 SPECIAL TOPICS IN LEGAL STUDIES (3) (GP)
Reading and research, reports and discussion of selected topics in the Law. Open to Paralegal minors, Political Science majors, and others by permission of the Director of Paralegal Studies. Topics vary and are announced in advance of each offering. Past topics include Sport and Entertainment Law and Employment Law.
Prerequisite: none
Offered: as needed

LAW 4990 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN LEGAL STUDIES (1-3)
An opportunity for a well-qualified, upper-division student to engage in special research in his/her major. Prerequisite: approval by the faculty advisor, the supervising professor, the division head, and the college dean before approval by the Provost. Credits to be determined.