LSTD100 Introduction to Law for Paralegals (3 semester hours)
This is the foundation course for the program. This course requires no previous legal background and introduces the student to the paralegal profession, the legal system, legal research, writing, and analysis, and other aspects of the law and the law office. This course will provide practical problem exercises of the type faced in an office environment; help the student develop the requisite paralegal skills; and presents a variety of the ethical issues and perspectives that paralegals face today. The overall theme is to address a broad range of paralegal topics in a contemporary law office environment.
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LSTD201 Litigation (3 semester hours)
This course gives the students a broad overview of the litigation process and the specific role of the paralegal. This course is an introduction to and the exploration of the process related to civil litigation and the procedures normally the responsibility of the paralegal in preparing materials for trial. Coverage will include information gathering, interviewing, organizing, and preparation of materials for trial. It includes general information on the litigation process and practical exercises to help the student learn to implement the role of the paralegal, such as how to conduct an initial fact finding interview. The course will give an overview of the structure of the court system.
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LSTD202 Real Estate Law (3 semester hours)
This course is a study of real estate law, with emphasis on those portions of real estate law that are essential to the processes and functions of the real estate purchase, administration, financing, land use regulation, financial instruments, leases, and property rights. The law of real estate has traditionally consisted of laborious manual searches to ensure good title. The internet provides real estate attorneys and legal assistants with new tools and procedures for conducting real estate transactions. This course will prepare the student for these concepts and will introduce the student to the new world of the Internet as related to real estate law.
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LSTD203 Criminal Law and Procedure for the Paralegal (3 semester hours)
This course will examine the practical aspects of criminal law and procedure as they pertain to the work of the paralegal. The course covers the nature of criminal liability, the elements of various crimes, and defenses to criminal accusations. The course will also cover criminal procedure, from search and seizure through trial and appeal. Constitutional issues relating to search and seizure, self-incrimination and other matters are explored in depth. Students learn how to prepare relevant legal documents.
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LSTD204 Introduction to the Courts (3 semester hours)
This course is an introduction to the structure of the American court system. Topics include prosecution, right to counsel, pretrial release, grand jury process, and sentencing concepts. The course will assess the U.S Courts System and how it relates to the criminal justice system in America. Students will become familiar with the chronological events from the arrest process to sentencing and appeals. Students will be able to explain concepts of stop and frisk arrest, searches under warrant, and presentation of the case to the magistrate. Assessments of the criminal trial process and phases of pretrial and trial proceedings will be examined.
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LSTD205 Legal Research and Writing (3 semester hours)
This course will assess the methods used to locate necessary legal materials and be able to evaluate the appropriate citations of those materials. The paralegal aspects are reviewed and distinguished from other judicial case briefings. The course will introduce legal analysis methods and the preparation of appropriate techniques for researching legal issues and cases. Critical definitions of legal terminology are analyzed and used in preparation of legal materials such as memoranda, client letters, and other relevant documents. The course presents the student with techniques for effective writing in the legal environment.
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LSTD207 Civil Practice and Procedure (3 semester hours)
This course is an overview of civil practice and procedure and will examine the process that courts must follow when hearing cases of a civil nature. During the course of study, students will learn how a lawsuit is commenced, what kind of service of process is required, the types of pleadings, motions, and orders allowed in civil cases, the timing and manner of depositions and discovery, the conduct of trials, the process for judgment, various available remedies, and how the courts and clerks must function. The course focuses on the legal skills involving interviewing and counseling for civil cases, the drafting of legal documents for civil cases, and legal ethics focused specifically on civil cases. Course topics include civil trial practices of pleadings, motions, discovery, pre-trial conferences, jury selection, trial protocols, and appellate strategies.
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LSTD209 Sports Law, Risk, and Regulation (3 semester hours)
This course is a broad study and analysis of sports law and regulation. This course is rooted in the conviction that sports law is an intricate blend of contracts, regulatory schemes (including antitrust law, risk and liability concerns), and torts. Additionally, bargaining issues including unions, contract negotiation, and collective bargaining will be covered. This course will also examine risk assumption and liability as they relate to sports law. This class will also discuss relevant sports organizations (NCAA, NFL, etc.); Title X; drug testing of athletes; the role of sports agents; intellectual property issues; broadcasting law; and rules of athlete eligibility and participation. This course exposes the student to legal cases from the individual perspective of the player, coach, fan, owner, agent, and medical staff, in addition to leagues and administrative bodies, dealing with captivating subjects as varied as drug testing, gender discrimination, player violence and criminal conduct, breach of contract, player eligibility, product liability, endorsement contracts, and television broadcasting.
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LSTD210 Legal Ethics (3 semester hours)
This undergraduate course introduces students to the ethics and professional responsibilities of the legal profession. Emphasis is given to the strict regulation of the practice of law and accompanying reasons, as well as the standard of care expected by those who work in the field. Important ethical issues, such as marketing, client relationships, fees, and communications are explored. Students will analyze the model rules and their practical applications.
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LSTD211 Introduction to Legal Technology (3 semester hours)
Technology has changed the legal field and how professionals operate within it. Law offices need to be innovative and efficient in addressing client needs. The American legal justice system requires new technical skills and expertise from those who work within it to better serve the public’s need for legal and equitable justice. This course will provide students with introductory legal technology competence about how it can be used in the court system, law offices, and throughout the duration of a legal case.
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LSTD212 Basic Contracts Law (3 semester hours)
This course was designed for students new to contract law with no prior knowledge of contracts or how the law applies to them. This course will give students a broad overview of the elemental framework of contracts law, including an introduction to and exploration of contract formation as well as contract enforcement. Students will also gain early hands-on experience in contract drafting, and negotiating amendments and remedies. The key concepts of the course are tied together through the use of a long-running factual scenario.
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LSTD298 Sophomore Seminar in Legal Studies (3 semester hours)
This course is a culminating course for the Associate of Science in Legal Studies degree to be taken after all other courses in the program have been satisfactorily completed. It is designed to allow the student to review, analyze, and integrate the work completed toward the degree. The student will complete an approved academic project or paper that demonstrates their grasp of the legal studies field. (Prerequisite: Sophomore standing and completion of at least 85% of other courses required in the AS in Legal Studies program.)
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LSTD300 Administrative Law and Policy (3 semester hours)
This undergraduate course is the study of the work of administrative agencies in the executive branch of the United States government with some additional material on administrative agencies in state and local governments. Administrative law and policy touches virtually every person in the United States virtually every day of the year. It is the administrative agencies that fill in the "details" of government policy. Indeed, administrative agencies are so important and so powerful that they are frequently referred to as the "fourth branch of government. "This course will examine the position that agencies occupy in our constitutional system of government by carefully detailing the respective roles of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. The course will be mainly concerned with administrative procedure (i.e., agency rulemaking and adjudication, agency investigations, agency sanctions) but because it is almost impossible to distinguish between substance and procedure, the procedural elements of administrative law will be illustrated and discussed in the context of a specific agency action--e.g., the Environmental Protection Agency's actions on carbon emissions and global warming. The course will analyze the work of the "independent regulatory commissions" as well as those agencies that are completely under the control of the President of the United States. Both the legislative and judicial branches of our government have a large impact on administrative law, so the actions of Congress in creating and watching over the agencies and the actions of the courts in adhering to the rule of law for agency action ("judicial review of agency action") will be vital components of the course.
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LSTD301 Constitutional Law (3 semester hours)
This course is an introduction to Constitutional Law, the Supreme Court, and other aspects of the legal system using the case analysis approach. Its concentration is on the study and analysis of United States Constitution. It emphasizes an in-depth study of the Bill of Rights, specifically those rights pertaining to Civil Liberties. Topics include: the historical events that led to the development of the Constitution; principles governing the operation of the Constitution and the role of the U.S. Supreme Court and the Judiciary; characteristics and powers of the three branches of government; development of due process and individual protections to include right to speech, freedom of religion, right to bear arms, right to vote, and right to counsel.
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LSTD302 Criminal Law (3 semester hours)
This course familiarizes the student with the basic law, procedures and rules that govern the criminal justice system in America. It is designed to produce students who can understand, appreciate and discuss the benefits and problems with the criminal justice system in America today. The students will become conversant with the Bill of Rights, basic criminal law terminology and procedures. The course emphasizes the principles of criminal liability and the acts, mental state, and attendant circumstances that are necessary ingredients in crimes against persons or property or in offenses involving theft, fraud, drugs, morality and decency, public peace, or public justice.
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LSTD303 Family Law (3 semester hours)
This upper level undergraduate course introduces students to the legal and procedural requirements of family law. Students will explore various legal procedures and extrajudicial methods. Topics such as marital agreements, separation, divorce, alimony, custody, adoptions, domestic violence, cohabitation, and same-sex marriages will be covered. Emphasis is placed on linking theory to practice.
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LSTD304 Military Law (3 semester hours)
This course is designed to provide students with a solid knowledge of US Military Law through the study of the evolutionary process, politics, and motivation that has led to the current status of US Military Law. Topics include the history of military law, US Military Law, statutory basis, legal system, and basic application. It will also include an analysis of current events as related through the press, where military law is involved.
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LSTD306 International Law (3 semester hours)
This course introduces students to the nature, development, principles, and processes of the law that applies among nations. Students will evaluate the various implications of state sovereignty as viewed through the prism of public international law. Specific topics include the sources of international law such as custom and treaty, the role of international organizations such as the United Nations, the bases of international jurisdiction, and international norms governing recognition, nationality, the global environment, protection of human rights, and the use of force. This course introduces the student to the basic principles and practices of international law and legal regimes and examines traditional and emerging topics in the field: human rights, the Law of the Sea, the Law of Armed Conflict, War Crime Tribunals, and the International Criminal Court.
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LSTD350 Victim Advocacy (3 semester hours)
This course prepares students to provide assistance to crime victims. What a victim advocate is and their rights and responsibilities will be discussed. Students will learn how to navigate through the Criminal Justice System to include both the civil and criminal litigation process, as well as understanding the steps to help victims towards a successful recovery. The course prepares the student to work in victim advocacy arenas such as crisis hotlines, domestic violence shelters, etc. Course topics include legal terminology, legal process, legislation regarding victims-rights, effects of victimization, victim advocate skills, and crisis intervention.
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LSTD400 Criminal Legal Process (3 semester hours)
This is a procedural law course which includes an overview of the law of arrests, search, and seizure, the making of bail, adjudication, pre- and post-trial activities and the nature of plea bargaining. Substantial emphasis is given the constitutional protections afforded through the Bill of Rights. This course examines procedures used by American police, prosecutors, and courts to bring criminal cases to trial and explores some of the defendant’s rights at trial and on appeal. The course will consider the Common Law, constitutional, and statutory bases of procedural practices in American criminal law. The student will be exposed to a comprehensive overview of the processes involved in the use of criminal evidence including rules of evidence; arrests, searches, and seizures; interrogations, confessions, and non-testimonial evidence, impeachment and cross-examination of witnesses; opinion evidence; hearsay evidence; and articles and exhibits of evidence.
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LSTD401 Maritime Law (3 semester hours)
This course is a study of the primary international and domestic laws governing navigation, naval operations, and maritime law enforcement. Students will study various aspects of the international law of the sea, maritime jurisdiction, and other laws and treaties dealing with such topics as maritime safety and security, drug trafficking, fisheries management, marine environmental protection, and piracy.
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LSTD402 Immigration Law and Policy (3 semester hours)
This course is an introduction to immigration law and policy. Its concentration is on the study and analysis of governing immigration laws and the application of those laws to immigration practice. Current immigration policies and procedures will also be analyzed and discussed. Topics covered include: historical developments and sources of immigration law, federal agencies governing immigration law and practice, admission procedures to the U.S. to include immigrant and non-immigrant visas and citizenship, removal (commonly referred to as “deportation”) laws and procedures, and relief from removal to include asylum, cancellation of removal, and other forms of relief.
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LSTD453 Evidence (3 semester hours)
This undergraduate course will focus on the basic legal rules governing kinds of information which can be developed and received at trial, and how evidence may be considered by the trier of fact. Students will study how policies favoring probative evidence must be weighed against policies protecting against hearsay, opinion, prejudice, time consumption, and other harmful matters. Proper examination and impeachment of witnesses will also be explored.
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LSTD454 Legal Technology: eDiscovery (3 semester hours)
Electronic discovery (eDiscovery) is critical to the development of a case. Exactly how that electronic information is managed before and during litigation is essential. In this course, students will learn about the key ethical and legal concepts of eDiscovery, its project management, and the requirements necessary to identify, collect, preserve, manage, review, and produce electronically stored information (ESI) in the discovery process. Researching developing issues and trends in court rules and case law as well as applying that knowledge to scenarios will prepare students for real-world situations. Analysis will include spotting critical e-discovery issues and how to best resolve them. Technology Assisted Review (TAR), Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM), and predictive coding will be examined. To better navigate the wealth of legal technology related issues and concepts, students will analyze federal and state case law, court rules, eDiscovery terminology, and ethical rules. Critical issues, such as the use of mobile devices, social media, metadata, computer forensics, and cloud computing in the context of discovery, trial practice, security and confidentiality, will also be examined. Special emphasis will also highlight eDiscovery-related ethical, privacy and IT security concerns. (Prerequisite: LSTD453)
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LSTD497 Senior Seminar in Legal Studies (3 semester hours)
The Capstone course is a senior level course designed to allow the student to review, analyze and integrate the work the student has completed toward a degree in Legal Studies. The student will complete an approved academic project or paper that demonstrates mastery of their program of study in a meaningful culmination of their learning and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree requirements. Prerequisite: Senior Standing and completion of all major courses prior to enrollment. To be taken as the last course prior to graduation.
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LSTD498 Practical Legal Studies Applications (3 semester hours)
This course is a pinnacle of the Legal Studies bachelor degree program. As such, it is designed to allow students to demonstrate their ability to review, analyze and integrate their work commensurate with their status as seniors who are ready to graduate. Students will both submit a series of high quality academic research-based essays and make an audio-visual presentation to demonstrate their mastery of this program of study.
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