Legal Studies (LGST)

LGST 3220. Judicial Process (3) 

An introduction to the legal process as a whole, including the functions of courts, lawyers, and other actors in the legal system. Specific issues such as court reform, crime control, civil liberties, and civil rights will be covered. The Supreme Court and the development of constitutional interpretation through judicial decision-making will also be explored.

Prerequisites: POLS 1101 or POLI 101

LGST 3231. Administrative Law (3) 

This course discusses the importance of administrative law, how administrative agencies operate and are held accountable, and how professionals in the private and public sectors interact with administrative agencies. It includes a discussion of statutory and constitutional law and the interplay of administrative rules with other sources of legal authority.

Prerequisites: PARA 1101 (may be taken concurrently) or CRJU 1150 (may be taken concurrently) or POLS 1101 (may be taken concurrently)

LGST 3410. Survey-Criminal Law/Procedures (3) 

An overview of criminal law and of the fundamental elements of criminal procedures, including methods and rules of police investigation and arrest, adjudication, sentencing, and appellate review by higher courts.

Prerequisites: CRJU 1150 or PARA 1101 or POLS 1101

LGST 4020. Litigation Techniques (3) 

This course examines and applies case analysis, rules, and policies governing the type of information that may be received by the court at trial. It focuses on all phases of the trial process and examines how evidence can be properly developed with an emphasis on persuasiveness in presentation and problem solving in the adversarial system.

Prerequisites: PARA 1101 and PARA 2203

LGST 4030. Adv. Legal Research & Writing (3) 

This course challenges students to prepare and review more sophisticated and complex legal documents. Students will gain additional expertise in electronic legal and factual research and legal citation skills. This course requires extensive independent research and writing time.

Prerequisites: PARA 2205

LGST 4098. Legal Studies Practicum (3) 

This course constitutes an independent (individual or small group) internship which will allow students to simultaneously experience the "real-world" application of law and to apply legal methodology, research, and analysis to actual law office or law-related applications. The student will prepare and submit a significant law-related paper and/or project. Requires approval of the Program Coordinator.

Prerequisites: LGST 4020 or LGST 4030

LGST 4420. Law and Society (3) 

This course examines the relationship between formal law and social institutions. Specifically, the course will focus on the U.S. Constitution, theories of law and law creation, law and inequality, law as a vehicle for social change, and the role of law in modern American society. Some effort will be made to compare law in U.S. society to the development and function of law in other societies.

Prerequisites: CRJU 1150 or SOCI 1101 or PARA 1101

LGST 4800. Selected Topics- Legal Studies (3) 

An exploration of historical or contemporary topics and issues in the field of law.

Prerequisites: PARA 1101 or CRJU 1150 or POLS 1101 or SOCI 1101

LGST 4801. Selected Topics-Legal Studies (3) 

An exploration of historical or contemporary topics and issues in the field of law.

Prerequisites: PARA 1101 or CRJU 1150 or POLS 1101 or SOCI 1101

LGST 4802. Selected Topics-Legal Studies (3) 

An exploration of historical or contemporary topics and issues in the field of law.

Prerequisites: PARA 1101 or CRJU 1150 or POLS 1101 or SOCI 1101

LGST 4803. Selected Topics-Legal Studies (3) 

An exploration of historical or contemporary topics and issues in the field of law.

Prerequisites: PARA 1101 or CRJU 1150 or POLS 1101 or SOCI 1101

LGST 4804. Selected Topics-Legal Studies (3) 

An exploration of historical or contemporary topics and issues in the field of law.

Prerequisites: PARA 1101 or CRJU 1150 or POLS 1101 or SOCI 1101

LGST 4850. Legal Studies Capstone (3) 

This course will provide an opportunity for students to review the major legal concepts taught in the Legal Studies program. It will allow students to see how these different legal practices and theories coalesce into a single legal system.

Prerequisites: PARA 2205

LGST 4910. Pre-Law and Lawyering Skills (3) 

This course helps students who are interested in law school to develop their skills in logical reasoning, reading comprehension, and analytical reasoning. Students will also learn about the law school admissions process, life in law school, and different career paths available to attorneys.

Prerequisites: PARA 1101 or POLS 1101 or ENGL 1102