LAWS 1010 - Criminal Law
(3 Credits)
A foundational study of criminal law, focusing on common law and modern statutory applications. Topics include substantive law, distinction between criminal and civil justice systems, essential elements of crimes, key components to criminal intent and acts, as well as causation and harm. This course also covers defenses such as insanity, entrapment, and others used in U.S. Law.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 1030 - Criminalistics I
(3 Credits)
This course surveys basic crime scene investigation methods. This course employs an active learning philosophy, where students learn by doing. Topics include and students actively participate in learning first responder duties, laws involving search and seizure of evidence, evidence collection and processing, photography, sketching, motor vehicle investigation and principles of reconstruction, impression and imprint evidence, blood spatter, and trace evidence. This course involves processing and investigating a mock crime scene.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 1040 - Criminalistics II
(3 Credits)
This course is an advanced study of criminalistics where students actively engage in the learning process. Topics include the investigation of specific crimes which include: sexual assault, arson, Death Investigation, forensic entomology; deciphering, classifying fingerprints and using advanced latent fingerprint recovery techniques; principles in forensic toxicology; drug detection and investigation; and firearms. Students will also actively participate in blood typing and DNA extraction, forensic anthropology with the aid of facsimiles of real bones. Students will also explore the use of microscopy through use of compound, comparison and stereo microscopes.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 1080 - Introduction to Law and Legal Studies
(3 Credits)
Students will be introduced to the law and the American legal system. Topics include legal research and writing, E-Filing, communication skills, law office administration, legal and professional ethics, foundations of substantive and procedural law, legal terminology, the functions of the courts, and the role of attorneys, paralegals, and other legal professionals.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2000 - Constitutional Law
(3 Credits)
This course presents the basic principles of Constitutional Law through the analysis of the opinions of the United States Supreme Court. Topics include judicial review, federalism, commerce clause, governmental powers, and civil rights.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2010 - Law of Evidence
(3 Credits)
This course studies the rules governing the admissibility of evidence in civil and criminal trials to protect individual rights. Topics include burden of proof, competency and examinations of witnesses, types of evidence, and the function of judge and jury.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2020 - Basic Civil Procedures for Legal Professionals
(3 Credits)
This course introduces the legal concepts and practical applications of civil litigation using the rules of civil procedure as applied in the federal and state court systems. The course will cover the court system; jurisdiction and venue; pleadings (complaints, answers, counterclaims and cross-claims); and discovery documents (interrogatories, depositions and requests for production).
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2030 - Criminal Law and the Constitution
(3 Credits)
This course presents a consideration and analysis of the most significant and recent Supreme Court decisions as they pertain to the rights of the accused in the areas of arrest, search and seizure, interrogation and right to assistance of counsel. Case and text method.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2040 - Law in Contemporary Society
(3 Credits)
This course studies adjudicated cases involving contemporary social issues and the effect on society. Stress is placed on the relationship and impact of law on social values, morals, and change. The balance between the interests of society and individual rights are scrutinized.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2050 - Law of Contracts
(3 Credits)
Students will examine contract law, including the basic elements of a valid contract, rights of the third parties, and remedies for breach. Topics include agreement, consideration, contractual capacity, and legality.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2060 - The Law of Property, Estates and Trusts
(3 Credits)
This course studies the laws of real property, personal property and decedent's estates. Topics to be covered include definitions of real and personal property; the ownership and transfer of real estate (concurrent ownership, deeds, mortgages and leases); and the areas of gifts, wills, inheritance laws, probate and trusts.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2070 - Law of Business Organization
(3 Credits)
This course covers the legal requirements to organize a business entity. Topics include types of business organizations, government regulations, business ethics, and sanctions for violations of the law.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2090 - Legal Research and Writing I^
(3 Credits)
Students will learn how to perform procedural aspects of legal research. Students will use primary and secondary legal sources, case digests, search aids (LexisNexis, Westlaw), and citators (Shepard's Citations). Students are expected to complete a case brief and legal memorandum.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2095 - Legal Research and Writing II^
(3 Credits)
This course is a work-based, hands-on experience integrating information and skills learned in previous legal courses. The course is divided into three segments: completing the Paralegal Portfolio, preparing a criminal case file, and preparing a civil case file. Students will be exposed to professional networking with an opportunity for mentorship. This course is intended for students in their final semester of the Paralegal program.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2100 - Tort and Personal Injury Law
(3 Credits)
This course involves the study of civil wrongs that result in injuries to person, property, or relationships. Students will examine types of torts (intentional, negligence, and strict liability), causation, and damages. Topics include defamation, fraud, professional malpractice, products and premises liability, and impact of insurance.
Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2500 - Case Studies in Criminal Law
(3 Credits)
This capstone course in the Law Enforcement program will integrate the material covered in prior classes in the areas of substantive criminal law, criminal procedural law, crime scene investigation, evidentiary law and constitutional law related to law enforcement. Students will work on and write reports on two case studies based upon comprehensive case files. These case files will include documents that would be involved in an actual criminal case such as bills of indictment, police reports, witness statements, forensic reports, search warrant affidavits and inventories, transcripts of court hearings involving the case and the substantive criminal laws that may apply to the facts of the case. Note: If students wish to register but have not completed all prerequisites, please contact the instructor for permission.
Lecture: 3 hours
