Fall Semester
Contracts
Law 501/G; 5 credit hours
The basic principles governing the creation, interpretation and enforcement of private agreements.
Torts
Law 503; 4 credit hours
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.
Criminal Law
Law 508/G; 3 credit hours
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 Analysis, Writing, and Research
Law 513/G; 3 credit hours
The emphasis of this course is on the development of legal research and writing skills; writing is the lawyer’s most commonly used skill, and effective writing rests on effective research. Communicating like a lawyer, however, means not only communicating professionally but also conducting oneself ethically. In addition to providing sustained and intensive instruction on legal research and writing, this course introduces students to many facets of professionalism and to the skills necessary to make ethical and professional choices.
Legal Analysis, Writing and ResearchSpring Semester
Property
Law 505/G; 5 credit hours
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 servitude’s and constitutional limitations on the power of government to restrict individual economic liberties.
Civil Procedure
Law 516/G; 4 credit hours
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.
Constitutional Law I
Law 609/G; 3 credit hours
Focus primarily on structure - judicial power, legislative power; executive power, justiciability; federalism and state sovereignty; separation of powers. May include discussion of electoral federalism and the 17th Amendment.
Legal Analysis, Writing, and Research
514/G 3 credit hours
The emphasis of this course is on the development of legal research and writing skills; writing is the lawyer’s most commonly used skill, and effective writing rests on effective research. Communicating like a lawyer, however, means not only communicating professionally but also conducting oneself ethically. In addition to providing sustained and intensive instruction on legal research and writing, this course introduces students to many facets of professionalism and to the skills necessary to make ethical and professional choices.