Legal Studies Courses

LAW1100 Introduction to Law

Introduces the United States legal system. This course examines the structure and administration of the state and federal courts; the function of the trial and appellate courts; the sources of law; the differentiation between procedural and substantive law; and the legal principles of torts, contracts, criminal, civil and property law.

3 Credit Hours

LAW1110 Contract Law

Examines the common law of contracts and the intricacies of the Uniform Commercial Code. The course covers the formation and performance of contracts; the role of the parties and the role of the court; defects in formation of contracts; failure of performance; and the rights and remedies of the parties upon breach.

3 Credit Hours

LAW2200 Professional Responsibilities and Legal Ethics

Introduces students to the defining ethical issues faced by lawyers and the legal community. Topics include access to justice; issues in the attorney-client relationship; and ethics in particular context, such as criminal practice, government, and corporate law.

Prerequisite: LAW1100

3 Credit Hours

LAW2210 Legal Research and Writing

Examines legal research and writing. Students locate and identify primary and secondary sources of law using traditional and computer-assisted research techniques, including Lexis, Westlaw, and the Internet. Students use databases to formulate searches, retrieve and display documents, and validate findings.

Prerequisite: LAW1100 or BUS2231

3 Credit Hours

LAW2215 Torts

Provides an introduction to civil wrongs. Topics include negligence, international torts, strict liability, products liability, defamation, and toxic torts. Students will examine relevant statutes as well as case law regarding various areas of torts.

Prerequisite: LAW1100

3 Credit Hours

LAW2225 Real Property Law

Explores fundamental topics related to the petition, ownership, and transfer of real property interests. Topics will include closings of residential property real estate financing including mortgages, insurance, foreclosure, and short sales. Students will relate theory to practice through a simulated real estate closing exercise.

Prerequisite: LAW1100

3 Credit Hours

LAW2230 Civil Litigation

Introduces the rules governing the civil litigation process in both the state and federal civil courts. Topics will include all aspects of civil litigation including preparation of pleadings, discovery methods, motion practice, trial documents, and the appellate process.

Prerequisite: LAW1100

3 Credit Hours

LAW2235 Immigration Law

Introduces United States federal immigration and nationality law. Topics include lawful and unlawful entry and status in the United States; relevant governmental agencies; obtaining nonimmigrant and immigrant status in the United States; becoming a lawful permanent resident; and the deportation and removal process.

Prerequisite: JUS1100 or LAW1100

3 Credit Hours

LAW2240 Family Law

Explores the field of Family Law from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Topics include planning for marriage; formation of the marriage through its dissolution; child matters; domestic partnerships; domestic violence considerations, including Orders of Protection; and the role of non-dispute resolution in Family Law.

Prerequisite: LAW1100

3 Credit Hours

LAW2250 Wills, Trusts, and Estates

Involves planning, formation, and administration of property-interest transfer instruments; preparation and execution of estate and trust instruments; testate and intestate probates and estate administrations; handling an elective share; and accounting for income or assets, including federal and state taxation issues.

Prerequisite: LAW1100

3 Credit Hours

LAW2260 Law Firm Communications and Technology

Provides students with the knowledge and practical application of the different technologies and software packages used in the legal industry. In this course, students develop the conceptual, technical, and interpersonal skills required to apply technology to manage information and personnel in an automated law office environment.

Prerequisites: LAW1100, CIS1115

3 Credit Hours

LAW2270 Special Topics in Legal Studies

Involves readings and discussions around selected topics in legal studies. Topics will vary each semester.

Prerequisite: LAW1100

LAW2293 Internship

Students work in a position related to their course of study while at the same time completing online course requirements – including focused online discussions and special online projects – that integrate the skills and knowledge learned through their degree program.

Prerequisite: Departmental permission

3 Credit Hours

LAW3310 Alternative Dispute Resolution

Explores the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This course examines the mechanisms utilized to resolve disputes, the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing ADR, and the types and subjects where ADR is commonly employed. Students will engage in role play to demonstrate knowledge of various ADR options.

Prerequisite: LAW1100 or BUS2231

3 Credit Hours

LAW3320 Constitutional Law

Explores U.S. constitutional issues as primarily interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics include government structure; separation of powers in the federal and state governments; and individual liberties and civil rights, including First Amendment Freedom of Speech, Assembly, and Religion and Equal Protection Clause.

Prerequisite: LAW1100 or JUS1100

3 Credit Hours

LAW 3325 Intellectual Property Law

Addresses each field of law under the umbrella of intellectual property, including trademarks, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, and unfair competition. This course explores methods by which each is created, procedures to register or protect each, duration of rights, protection from infringement, and new developments.

Prerequisite: LAW1100

3 Credit Hours

LAW3330 Employment Law

Covers the basic concepts in federal and state Employment Law. Topics include the hiring process, legal regulation, benefits, employee privacy, expression and association, health and safety, the organization and representation, collective bargaining, termination of employment, wrongful discharge, and retirement.

Prerequisite: LAW1100 or BUS2231

3 Credit Hours

LAW3335 Business Organization and Corporations

Examines individual, partnership, and corporate forms of business organizations. Also studied are the formation, implementation and rules governing operations and decision-making, the duties and liabilities of corporate officers and directors, as well as mergers, acquisitions and dissolution of corporations.

Prerequisite: LAW1100

3 Credit Hours

LAW3340 Law Firm Management and Administration

Provides an overview of the legal industry and the business of law. Topics include: principles of law firm management and supervision; the organizational structure of a law office; law firm hiring practices; human resources; client relations; office procedures; workforce ethics; facilities management; security; and confidentiality.

Prerequisite: LAW1100

3 Credit Hours

LAW4430 Advanced Legal Research, Writing, and Advocacy

Develops and refines the research, analysis, citation, and writing skills introduced in Legal Research and Writing. Students will prepare either a complex trial brief or appellate brief, and present oral argument.

Prerequisite: LAW2210

3 Credit Hours

LAW4470 Special Topics in Legal Studies

Involves readings and discussions around selected topics in legal studies. Topics will vary each semester.

Prerequisite: LAW1100

1 to 3 Credit Hours

LAW4483 Internship

Students work in a position related to their course of study while at the same time completing online course requirements – including focused online discussions and special online projects - that integrate the skills and knowledge learned through their degree program.

Prerequisite: Departmental permission and LAW2000