Certificate in Legal Studies

Introduction to Law (LSINTLAW)

Class Description
Provides students with an overview of law covering legal history, foundations of legal authority, nature of a lawsuit, concept of jurisdiction, legal terminology and basic concepts, structure of the court system, a brief survey of the substantive law including civil procedure, torts, contracts, corporations, criminal law and real property.

Drafting Legal Instruments (LSDRALEG)

Class Description
Teaches practical skills for assisting lawyers in drafting basic legal documents, including affidavits, complaints, motions, wills and contracts. Students learn the basic components of these documents, where to find and how to use standard legal forms, and fundamental principles of effective legal writing.

Contracts (LSCONTRA)

Class Description
Students study contract formation, defenses to the existence of contracts, the different kinds of contracts, contracts for the sale of land (real property) and the Uniform Commercial Code which involves contracts for the sale of goods in the United States.

Legal Research and Writing (LSLEGRES)

Class Description
This course teaches students the fundamentals of legal research, kinds of law books, casebooks and treatises, official vs unofficial reporters, hands-on computer and library research, how to Shepardize cases and the basics of writing a legal memo.

Litigation (LSLITIGA)

Class Description
This course focuses on causes of action, statutes of limitation, pleadings, provisional remedies, discovery, EBTs, motions to dismiss, summary judgment, settlement conferences, evidence, judicial discretion, judgments, enforcement and appeals.