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University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Curriculum

These courses and programs have been approved by the faculty of the College of Law. Not all courses are offered each year, semester or summer session. Every attempt is made to publish course offerings as far in advance as possible to permit students to plan their curriculum. Course offerings at the College of Law are constantly reviewed to reflect changes in the law as well as in the interests and expertise of the faculty. Courses offered at the College of Law are open only to (a) students enrolled in the College or (b) graduate or professional students who have received the approval of their faculty advisor, the faculty member teaching the course and the Dean of the College. Several courses are cross-listed with graduate departments throughout the University and are open to graduate or professional students in other colleges subject to appropriate approval. Cross-listed courses are identified by the presence of a 'G' following the law course number. The most recent list of cross-listed courses is available from the College of Law.

First Year Courses

Civil Procedure. (Law 516/G-517/G; 6 cr.-3 cr. each semester) An introduction to the theory and practice of litigation in federal and state courts. Topics studied include jurisdiction, pleading, joinder, discovery, motion practice, the right to jury trial, trial and post-trial motions, appellate review and preclusion doctrine.

Contracts. (Law 501/G-502/G; 6 cr.-3 cr. each semester) The basic principles governing the creation, interpretation and enforcement of private agreements.

Criminal Law. (Law 508/G; 3 cr. spring semester) Substantive criminal law, focusing on the theoretical foundations, general principles and doctrines that govern the rules of liability and defenses, both in the common law tradition and under the Model Penal Code. 

Legal Research & Writing. (Law 513/G-514/G; 6 cr.-3 cr. each semester) An introduction to the sources and the literature of the law. The course emphasizes the function and content of basic legal materials, their use in the analysis and solution of legal problems and the preparation of legal memoranda and appellate briefs. 

Property. (Law 505/G-506/G; 6 cr.-3 cr. each semester) Depending upon the section, the course may include problems in possession, gifts of personal property, bona fide purchasers of personal property including recording and priorities, estates in land, landlord and tenant, the modern land transaction, controlling the use of land, easements, licenses and equitable servitudes and constitutional limitations on the power of government to restrict individual economic liberties. 

Torts. (Law 503/G-504/G; 6 cr.-3 cr. each semester) The legal protection afforded in civil proceedings against interference with the security of one's person, property, relations and other intangible interests. The course covers the substantive principles that govern tort claims (ranging from claims for intentional wrongdoing, to negligence claims, to claims that the defendant is strictly liable for harms caused to the plaintiff), and further explores the theoretical bases and practical implications of such claims.

Required Courses

First Year Courses

  • Civil Procedure
  • Contracts
  • Criminal Law
  • Legal Research & Writing
  • Property
  • Torts

Upper-class Courses

  • Constitutional Law I
  • Legal Profession
  • Seminar
  • Skills course (1) from the following:
    • Advanced Legal Research
    • Advanced Trial Advocacy
    • Appellate Advocacy
    • Business Planning
    • Client Interviewing & Counseling
    • Civil Clinic
    • Criminal Clinic
    • Construction Practice
    • Family Law Practice
    • Mediation
    • Negotiations
    • Pretrial Litigation
    • Trial Advocacy
    • Externship (approved by Dean Willborn)