First Year Curriculum
LAW 603: Civil Procedure
An introduction to federal and state court organization, jurisdiction, and procedure including pleading, joinder of parties and claims, pretrial discovery, pretrial disposition of cases, judgments, res judicata, collateral estoppel, and other subjects. Primary emphasis is on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and its counterparts which have been adopted by many states. [4]
LAW 608: Constitutional Law I -Structural Questions, Federalism, and Separation of Powers
A basic study of the distribution of governmental powers between the federal government and the states, as well as the relationship among the three branches of the federal government and the role of the courts in the constitutional scheme. Issues include judicial review, standing, the enumerated powers of Congress, preemption, legislative veto, presidential power, and introductory aspects of constitutional interpretation. [3]
LAW 606: Contracts
The agreement process; interpretation; consideration and its equivalents; illegal bargains; the statute of frauds; remedies for breach of contract; failure of condition; impossibility of performance and frustration of purpose; third-party beneficiaries; assignment of rights and delegation of duties; and discharge. Relevant sections of Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code are included in study of each topic. [4]
LAW 613: Criminal Law
Specific crimes at common law and under modern statutes; general principles of criminal liability; defenses; selected problems in criminal law administration from investigation and arrest through trial. [3]
LAW 614: Legal Writing I (Fall semester)
Students learn the fundamentals of written legal analysis, citation, and written and oral advocacy. [2]
LAW 615: Legal Writing II (Spring semester)
Continuation of Legal Writing I. [2]
LAW 605: Life of the Law
This class introduces students to the study of law. It is designed to provide the knowledge and skills that will prepare students for the other first year courses. Topics covered will include a review of American history and civics, the place of law among methods of ordering behavior, an overview of the American legal system, legal methodologies, legal concepts, theoretical frameworks for law, and the role(s) of law students and lawyers. Pass/Fail [1]
LAW 620: Property
A basic survey of the law of property with emphasis on real estate; estates in land; divided interests; adverse possession; introduction to future interests; landlord-tenant; commercial transfers of land, including the real estate contract, the deed, the recording system and title insurance, restriction of land use through private arrangement and public regulation. [4]
LAW 610: Regulatory State
This course introduces students to statutes and agency decisions and the central role they play in modern government. The course covers the nature of statutes and agency regulations, how they are generated, and how they are interpreted. [4]
LAW 621: Torts
Liability for intentional harm to person or property and for similar harm caused by negligent conduct. [4]