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Legal Studies

LEST 101 THE AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

A general overview of the American legal system, including federal and state court structures, the roles and responsibilities of various participants in the legal process, and the progress of civil and criminal cases through the courts. Three hours lecture per week.

LEST 310 LEGAL RESEARCH

Spring, 3 credit hours

An overview of the sources of law in the American system and specific instruction in finding and analyzing the sources needed to answer legal questions, including case law, statutes, administrative law, and secondary sources. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Expository Writing (ENGL 101) or Oral & Written Expression (ENGL 102), and Introduction to Information Technology (CITA 110) or its equivalent, or permission of instructor.

LEST 330 LEGAL WRITING

Spring, 3 credit hours

Instruction covers writing documents commonly used in a legal setting and in analyzing and citing the sources needed to answer legal questions, including case law, statutes, administrative law, and secondary sources. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites: Business Communications (BSAD 200), Legal Research (LEST 310), or permission of instructor.

LEST 350 LITIGATION

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

Introduces students to substantive and procedural requirements for and philosophical underpinnings of civil litigation in state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate levels. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites: The American Legal System (LEST 101), Business Law II (BSAD 202), or permission of instructor.

LEST 360 FAMILY LAW

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

Students will explore the core procedural and substantive concepts of family law, including legal aspects of adult family relationships and the law relating to the lives of children. Students will learn how family law principles are applied in a legal practice setting. Three lecture hours per week.

Prerequisites: The American Legal System (LEST 101), Business Law II (BSAD 202), or permission of instructor.

LEST 370 REAL PROPERTY

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

Students will examine the law of real property as it relates to real estate transactions, landlord tenant relationships, and real property disputes. Students will learn how real estate transactions are completed in a legal practice setting. Three hours of lecture per week.

Prerequisites: The American Legal System (LEST 101), Business Law II (BSAD 202), or permission of instructor.

LEST 375 IMMIGRATION LAW AND BORDER CONTROL

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

In this course students understand the historical immigration policies and controls as they evolved in the 19th and 20th centuries  an then changed after the World Trade Center bombings on September 11, 2001. The policy changes and their effects are analyzed to allow students to project the effects of future world events and policy changes. The enforcement methods and means are also studied as well as the regulatory  and statutory requirements for temporary visits and immigration with an emphasis on practical application of common processes.

Prerequisites: Junior Level Status

LEST 380 WILLS, TRUSTS, & ESTATES

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

Students explore the planning and preparation of asset transfers pre-mortem and post-mortem as well as lifetime planning tools commonly associated with trusts and estates. Students learn how attorneys assist their clients to achieve t heir property transfer and lifetime personal planning goals through preparing wills, trusts and related documents and examine the tax considerations involved in the planning process. Students study the probate process in depth with an emphasis on the client interview process and preparation of legal documents. Three hours of lecture per week.

Prerequisites: Legal Research (LEST 310) or junior status and approval of the instructor.

LEST 429 ORIENTATION TO CULMINATING EXPERIENCE IN LEGAL STUDIES

Fall/Spring, 1 credit hour

This course is intended as the precursor to the senior culminating experience in the Legal Studies (LEST) program. Seniors will meet with faculty on a weekly basis to discuss resume preparation, job interviewing techniques, on-the-job training, identifying and securing internships, internship requirements, and performance assessment/evaluation. This course is a prerequisite to Legal Studies Internship (LEST 480).

Prerequisite: senior level status in the Legal Studies program or permission of instructor.

LEST 449 ADVANCED LEGAL WRITING

Spring, 3 credit hours

Builds on skills acquired in Legal Writing to prepare students for writing more complex types of legal documents; students will analyze, cite, and find the sources needed to answer legal questions, including case law, statutes, administrative law, and secondary sources. Three hours lecture per week.

Prerequisites: Legal Writing (LEST 330) or permission of instructor.

LEST 480 LEGAL STUDIES INTERNSHIP

Fall/Spring, 15 credit hours

The Legal Studies Internship integrates classroom work and practical experience with cooperating businesses or agencies. The Internship allows seniors the opportunity to apply classroom learning in a legal or law enforcement setting. It is a structured field experience in which an intern, under the guidance of a supervisor, acquires and applies knowledge and skills while working in a responsible role. The internship will be tailored to the individual student’s career interests and the needs of the supervising organization. Internship assignments and activities may include, but not be limited to, information gathering, research, drafting of documents, office management, and other tasks and responsibilities deemed necessary.

Prerequisites: senior level status in Legal Studies and all required courses must be completed before participating in the Internship. Students need permission of the program director or dean.

LEST 485 LEGAL STUDIES SENIOR PROJECT

Fall/Spring, 3-15 credit hours

This course is an alternative to the Legal Studies Internship. It is designed for students who are unable to complete a 15-credit Internship. Students will complete a senior research project specifically addressing issues under the umbrella of legal studies. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, the student will submit a research proposal, conduct research, prepare a thesis style report, and present a defense to a thesis committee. 37.5 project hours per credit hour.

Prerequisites: Internship Orientation (LEST 429) and senior status In the Legal Studies program, or permission of the program director.