Legal Studies

Legal Studies 0856: Law and American Society
3 credit hours

An intruder rushes into class, hits the professor in the face with a pie, and runs out. You are asked to provide a description of the assailant--and now you realize this was a demonstration of the faultiness of human memory in making eyewitness identification. Develop your understanding of the historical, socio-political and ethical context of the U.S. legal system as you follow the misadventures of a fictional family that gets caught up in various legal problems. Current events inform every assignment; you might analyze, for example, the case against McDonalds brought on behalf of obese children, and then research legislation known as the "Cheeseburger Bill," prohibiting such lawsuits. An exciting, multimedia environment makes learning vivid.

Note: This course fulfills the U.S. Society (GU) requirement for students under Gen Ed and American Culture (AC) for students under Core. Students who have already successfully passed Law 1001 cannot earn credit for this course.

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Legal Studies 1001 (formerly C001): Law in Society
3 credit hours

The American legal system affects each of us on a daily basis. Educated citizens, no matter what career path they may choose, should be aware of the ways in which the law can impact their lives. This survey course introduces students to the essential aspects of law: its sources, organization, and evolution. They will learn the basic elements of constitutional, contract, criminal, tort, and administrative law. The political, social, and economic forces that affect change are also discussed thereby providing guidance as to the future direction of the law.

Note: This course can be used to satisfy the university Core Individual and Society (IN) requirement. Although it may be usable towards graduation as a major requirement or university elective, it cannot be used to satisfy any of the university Gen Ed requirements. See your advisor for further information.

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Legal Studies 1101: Legal Environment of Business
3 credit hours

The legal system affects each of us on a daily basis. Educated citizens, no matter what career path they may choose, should be aware of the ways in which the law impacts their lives in a personal and business setting. This course will introduce students to the essential aspects of law with an emphasis on the legal environment of business. Students will learn the basics of contract, tort, property, and administrative law as well as international law. The law involving business would include a discussion of the types of legal entities, as well as employer and employee relations. The political, social and economic forces that affect change are also discussed thereby providing guidance as to the future direction of the law in both the United States and around the world.

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Legal Studies 1102 (formerly 0101): Law of Contracts
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Law 1001

When you buy a car, rent an apartment, or take out insurance, you are entering into a contract. Whether as consumers or business professionals, our lives are frequently affected by our agreements with others. In this course, students will learn the basics of contract law including how contracts are negotiated and created, how they are enforced, and what happens when contractual promises are broken. Using the case method, students will also become familiar with the relevant portions of the Uniform Commercial Code that deal with the sale of goods, products, and services.

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Legal Studies 3506 (formerly 0103): Law for the Entrepreneur
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Law 1001

Whether you plan to start a business or to join one, this course will provide the basics of what you need to know. It will explore the legal issues involved in starting and operating a business and will cover how to form, operate and dissolve such entities as a sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporation. The course will also deal with agency and creditor rights providing the entrepreneur with a basic understanding of the legal environment in which businesses operate.

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Legal Studies 3562 (formerly 0106): International Law
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: Law 1001

Fifty percent of the net profits of most large corporations are generated through international transactions. This course will explore the legal considerations that apply to U.S. businesses abroad and will explore issues of contract negotiations, enforcement of judgments, international conventions, sovereign immunity, and current multinational business issues such as dumping, products liability, and patents and copyrights.

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Legal Studies 4596 (formerly W112): Legal Research, Writing, and Advocacy
3 credit hours

Prerequisite: For Legal Studies majors only who have completed the majority of their major courses. Exceptions made by department chair only.

Whether you plan to be an entrepreneur, lawyer, or paralegal, legal research, writing, and advocacy skills will give you a competitive edge. This course will provide an introduction on how to conduct legal research and how to analyze that research in order to solve legal problems. Using the law library and the Internet, students will learn how to locate federal and state court decisions, statutes and regulations. Through a hands-on approach, students will update the law, analyze their findings and argue their case.

Note: Capstone course for Legal Studies majors

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