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.

LEST 221 CRIMINAL PRACTICE

Fall, 3 credit hours

This course introduces students to the many aspects of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure. Students learn the main structure of the criminal justice system, penal statutes, case law, and criminal procedure with a focus on the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments to the United States Constitution. There will be a particular focus on Criminal Practice in the State of New York.

Prerequisites: The American Legal System (LEST 101) and Business Law I (BSAD 201) or permission of the instructor.

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.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of Expository Writing (ENGL 101) or Oral & Written Expression (ENGL 102), or permission of instructor.

LEST 320 NEGLIGENCE AND INTENTIONAL TORTS

Fall/Spring, 3 credit hours

Students explore the Law of Negligence and Intentional Torts and how these areas of law affect the business community. Intentional torts include Business Torts, Defamation, Nuisance, Warranty, Strict Liability, Products Liability and an employer’s liability for the negligence and torts of agents and employees.

Prerequisites: Business Law I (BSAD 201), or permission of instructor.

LEST 330 LEGAL WRITING

Spring, 3 credit hours

Instruction in 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.

Prerequisites: Business Communications (BSAD 200), Legal Research (LEST 310), or permission of instructor. This is a writing intensive course.

LEST 340 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW

Fall, 3 credit hours

This course focuses on the issues raised by the structural parts of the United States Constitution. Consideration will be given to judicial processes in constitutional cases; judicial review; and the federal courts functioning in the constitutional system. Attention will be given to the relationships of the three federal branches of government, with emphasis on some of the powers and limitations of the executive, legislative and judicial bodies that arise from principles of separation of powers and national checks and balances.

Prerequisites: The American Legal System (LEST 101) or Introduction to Criminal Justice (JUST 101) or Business Law I (BSAD 201) and junior status or permission of the instructor.

LEST 350 CIVIL 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.

Prerequisites: The American Legal System (LEST 101) and 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.

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.

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

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

Prerequisites: Junior Level Status or permission of the instructor.

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 their 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.

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

LEST 388 ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

Spring, 3 credit hours

This course introduces students to the many aspects of Environmental Law. Students learn the main structure of the American Legal System: sources of law, classification of law, constitutional principles, and administrative agencies that are involved in environmental issues and concerns. The litigation process for environmental disputes is examined. The evolution of environmental policy is examined and primary national policies are introduced. Environmental laws that relate to air-quality control, water quality control, toxic substance control, waste management and hazardous releases, energy, and natural resources are examined. International environmental laws, particularly those of Canada, are discussed.

Prerequisites: Junior level status

LEST 410 AMERICAN INDIAN LAW & FEDERAL INDIAN POLICY

Spring, 3 credit hours

This course provides an introduction to American Indian Law & Federal Indian Policies. Students examine Indian sovereignty, jurisdiction, and federal/state government to Indian relations. Students analyze events that have shaped American Indian rights under the United States Constitution and the history of those legal developments. The course covers a detailed assessment of the 1924 Citizenship Act as well as the 1968 Indian Bill of Rights Act and impact that each has had on Indian peoples in the United States.

Prerequisites: Business Law II (BSAD 202) or Introduction to Criminal Justice (JUST 101) and junior status or approval of the instructor.

LEST 420 CannAbis Law

Spring, 3 credit hours

The regulation of cannabis is undergoing rapid changes in the United States and around the world. In this course, students learn the history and evolution of cannabis legislation, including decriminalization, legalization of medical marijuana, legalization of recreational marijuana, and the conflict between state laws and federal laws.

Prerequisites: LEST 101, BSAD 201, or permission of 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 or the Senior Project 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, performance assessment/evaluation as well as the expectations and requirements for the Senior Project. This course is a prerequisite to LEST 480– Internship in Legal Studies and LEST 485– Senior Project.

Prerequisite: Senior status in the Legal Studies program.

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.

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

LEST 450 TRIAL COURT AND RULES OF EVIDENCE

Spring, 3 credit hours

This course provides students with a basic understanding of the legal mechanisms through which society resolves its disputes. Students will learn the details of trial and appellate process and procedures. Students will be provided the necessary tools to develop confidence, ability and control when presenting courtroom testimony.

Prerequisites: The American Legal System (LEST 101) or Introduction to Criminal Justice (JUST 101) and junior level status, 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. This course can be taken multiple times up to a maximum of 15 credit hours.

Prerequisites: Senior status in the Legal Studies Program. All required courses must be completed before participating in the Internship. Students need permission of 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.

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