2013 - 2014 Academic Catalog
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| LS101 | Foundations of American Legal System | 3 |
| LS202 | Legal Research & Analysis | 3 |
| LS203 | Justice, Law & the Constitution | 3 |
| LS301 | Legal Writing & Reasoning | 3 |
| LS325 | Evidence | 3 |
Any other Legal Studies (LS) course listed at the 300 or 400 level: 3 credits
For more information see the Course Descriptions.
Credit Requirements for minor: 18-19 credits
LS101 - Foundations of American Legal System
This course is designed to provide students with an introduction to the law. Students are introduced to the basics of the legal system in the United States including its organization and operation. The course covers major areas of legal practice and the legal principles that apply. Legal concepts are explained and legal terminology defined.
LS202 - Legal Research & Analysis
This course serves as an introduction to American constitutional interpretation. Topics to be covered include legal precedent, legal issues surrounding the executive and legislative branches of the federal government, the role of the Supreme Court as a political institution, and the Court’s interpretations of issues dealing with the Bill of Rights. Prerequisite: LS 101.
LS203 - Justice, Law & the Constitution
This course serves as an introduction to American constitutional interpretation. Topics to be covered include legal precedent, legal issues surrounding the executive and legislative branches of the federal government, the role of the Supreme Court as a political institution, and the Court’s interpretations of issues dealing with the Bill of Rights.
LS301 - Legal Writing & Reasoning
This course focuses on the development of fundamental skills necessary for successful legal writing that could assist in employment in a law office, such as drafting correspondence, developing various documents, and preparing legal memoranda. It looks at legal research, writing, and reasoning as a continuum, since the results of nearly all legal research must be submitted in written form. Legal writing is examined as a three step process. The steps consist of identifying the document’s purpose, audience, and constraints; developing a structure and draft; and editing and rewriting. This is a writing intensive course. Prerequisites: LS 101 and LS 202.
LS325 - Evidence
This course provides a detailed examination of the law of evidence. Topics include types of evidence, principles of exclusion, evaluation and examination of evidence, competency of witnesses, and the rule against hearsay evidence and the exceptions to this rule. Prerequisite: LS 101 or CJ 101.