Legal Studies (LSTU)
LSTU 1020: Eth. in the Legal Environment
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
This course introduces students to the study of legal ethics, examining the concept of "ethics" and "being ethical." Students will study the rules of professional responsibility that pertain to paralegals and lawyers. Ethical issues are presented in real-world context. Each student will be required to learn the legal vocabulary used in ethics and use critical/analytical thinking skills.
3 credits
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 1030: Logic & Crit Anlys. in Legal R
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
This course introduces students to the basic concepts and methods of logic and critical analysis in the context of legal reasoning. The distinctions between formal logic and informal logic, the distinctions between inductive and deductive logic, the use of analogies in logical analysis, and the structure, validity, and soundness of syllogistic arguments are explored through legal reasoning examples and exercises. Students will develop the ability to recognize logical fallacies in arguments and identify cognitive biases in both every day and legal reasoning context.
3 credits
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 1040: Pub. Spkg. in the Legal Env.
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
This course introduces students to the basic concepts and methods of public speaking in the legal environment. As opposed to basic public speaking, students will develop the ability to effectively communicate as paralegals and attorneys in law-related speaking situations, such as oral or motion argument, opening statements, closing arguments, and trial advocacy.
3 credits
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 2010: Introduction to Law
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Survey of the development of the law in our society; introduction to legal terminology and reasoning, substantive areas of the law, the legal profession, the paralegal profession, and legal ethics.
3 credits
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 2020: Law Office Environment
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
This course introduces the student to law office structures and hierarchies, law office operations, and technology commonly used in law offices including case management software, time-keeping programs, and billing programs, and basic skills for successful navigation of a legal career. It also explores some of the issues confronting the contemporary practice of law as a paralegal or attorney.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010.
LSTU 2010.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 2041: Legal Research/Writing I
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
How to use the law library, perform legal research, write legal memoranda, and use computers as research tools. Initial focus is on learning how to find legal materials, including federal and state case law, statutes and administrative law. Use of finding tools such as digests, encyclopedias, and annotated law reports will be studied, as will Shepardizing. Focus also on legal writing from letters to memoranda.
3 credits
Corequisites
LSTU 2010
LSTU 2010
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 2042: Legal Research/Writing II
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Advanced legal research, court rules, restatements, administrative decisions, drafting operative legal documents, memoranda of law to trial courts, and appellate briefs.
3 credits
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 3031: Civil Litigation I
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
The fundamentals of bringing and defending a civil lawsuit with emphasis on the role played by paralegals. Includes introduction to court system; jurisdiction; rules of civil procedure and evidence; interviewing clients and witnesses; drafting of pleadings, motions, and other court papers; and ethical practices.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 3032: Civil Litigation II
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
A continuation of the study of the litigation process from discovery to appeal, including drafting of documents, document control and preparation of trial exhibits and notebooks.
3 credits
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 3050: Criminal Law and Procedure
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Covers the elements of crimes, the workings of the criminal justice system, and criminal trial practice, with special attention given to the assistance a paralegal may provide both to the prosecutor and defense counsel in the preparation of a criminal case.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 3080: Admin. of Wills and Estates
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Introduction to the basic concepts of inheritance and estates, probate procedure, and preparation of documents.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 3100: Real Property and Abstracting
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Methods of recording and conveying land, including the preparation of instruments of title and abstracts of title. Survey of public records, including probate records, judgment rolls, tax records, etc.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 3600: Independent Study in Legal St.
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Research project of extensive reading or engagement in research under the direction of a full-time legal studies faculty member. May be selected for a maximum of 6 hours.
1 - 3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Independent Study
Independent Study
LSTU 3920: Law School Prep Seminar
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
This course introduces students to the process to successfully apply to and enter law school. Students will study problem solving, critical thinking and reading, oral and written communication, and produce work necessary for a comprehensive law school application.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 4010: Commercial and Contractual Rel
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Focus on the common law of contracts from the formation of the contract to its termination. Introduction to Uniform Commercial Code.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 4020: Torts
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
A study of the basic law relating to the civil wrong as applied to personal and property damage.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 4030: Bankruptcy Law
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Students learn the instructions for preparing bankruptcy case documents and specific procedures for filing documents.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 4040: Administrative Law
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Prepares students for a career with a law firm involved in administrative agency practice such as employment discrimination and Social Security disability. Also prepares students for governmental and private industry work that involves working with administrative regulations.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 4050: Business Organizations
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Provides basic understanding of agency law, employment law, business contract law, and the competencies necessary to assist an attorney in the formation and documentation required to form and operate sole proprietorships, general and limited partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 4060: Domestic Law
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Focus on comprehensive, substantive examination of the principles of domestic law and their application by paralegals, including requirements for valid marriage; dissolution of marriage by annulment, separation, and divorce; property rights; paternity, adoption, custody, and other parent/child relationships.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 4080: Medical Law and Terminology
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Includes basic anatomy and physiology; reviewing medical literature and understanding common medical terminology. Litigation issues such as reading medical records, selecting an expert witness, preparing discovery for both plaintiff and defendant, and trial preparation.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 4100: Alternative Dispute Resolution
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Provides students with an understanding of conflict and a working knowledge of the three major forms of dispute resolution in the legal field: negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 4110: Elder Law
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
A study of the elder client and the basic law relating primarily to elder clients.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 4120: Judicial Reporting Procedures
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Study of the court system, trial procedures, transcription preparation, reporter-related technology, professional ethics, and internship responsibilities. Prerequisite requirements for this course may also be satisfied by consent of instructor.
3 credits
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture/Lab
Lecture/Lab
LSTU 4400: Issues in Access to Justice
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
This course will examine both theoretical and practical solutions to access to justice issues through classroom discussion and service learning.
3 credits
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 4900: Advanced Seminar in Legal St.
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Seminar designed to provide legal studies majors with a comprehensive review of legal reasoning, research, and writing processes prior to entering law school or a working environment with additional discussions on law office management; technology; professional ethics; and current issues facing the field.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010.
LSTU 2010.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Seminar
Seminar
LSTU 4910: Advanced Studies in Law
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
This course is designed to introduce students to and prepare them for law school pedagogy with a focus on case studies and the Socratic method.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010.
LSTU 2010.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Lecture
Lecture
LSTU 4950: Internship
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Supervised practical experience in private law offices, courts, government offices or businesses. Minimum of 135 clock hours.
3 credits
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Internship
Internship
Course Fees:
$20.00
$20.00
LSTU 4999A: Spec. Topics in Legal Studies
Criminal Justice Legal Stud
Study of topics related to legal studies but not addressed in other courses within the department. May be repeated for graduation credit up to three times with written permission of the program coordinator or department chair.
3 credits
Prerequisites
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
LSTU 2010 and 24 Earned Credits.
Potentially offered with the following Instruction Type(s):
Seminar
Seminar