Lower Division/First Year Courses

Course# Course Name & DescriptionCreditsSemester in JDrSemester in JDi
601 Civil Procedure Procedural processes that guide the adjudication of civil actions in American courts. Allocation of judicial power between federal and state courts, focusing on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Fundamental policies underlying particular procedural rules.4FallFall
602Constitutional Law This course covers (1) Judicial Review in all its aspects, including the Case and Controversy doctrine, and (2) Structure, that is, Federalism (Federal and State regulatory and taxing powers) and Separation of Powers/Checks and Balances among the branches of the federal government.3SpringFall
603Contracts Legal protection afforded promissory agreements. Contract interpretation; contract formation, including offer and acceptance, mutual assent, and consideration. Parties affected by contracts and remedies for breach of contract.5FallSpring
604Criminal Law Elements of various crimes and problems of statutory construction and interpretation. Substantive defenses, emphasizing the defense of insanity, as well as attempts and the specific crimes of conspiracy, theft, and homicide.3SpringFall
607Property Problems concerning the possession of land and chattels. Methods of acquiring title to personal property, possessory and concurrent estates, and landlord and tenant problems. Historical introduction to real estate, including future interests, real covenants, and easements.5SpringSummer
608Torts Imposition of liability for personal wrongs as viewed by traditional tort law and current alternatives. Historical development and policy basis of liability for various types of injury-producing conduct, including intentional torts, negligence, and strict liability.5FallFall
609Legal Communications & Research I This course introduces legal analysis and writing. Students write legal memoranda with elements of legal reasoning and legal citation. They learn to structure analysis around rules, elements, and factors. They also practice writing with clarity to communicate well as they address legal problems.3FallSpring
609Legal Communications & Research II This course continues exploration of legal analysis and writing. It introduces legal research, including research plans and finding primary and secondary authority. Students learn to write persuasive legal analysis and present a persuasive oral argument. Students continue to practice legal citation, revision, and editing to advocate effectively.3SpringSummer
6471L Professional Responsibility This course will cover the essential components of professional responsibility and will focus on professional identity formation. Utilizing a problem approach that lends itself to simulations and skills development, students will learn how to analyze ethical issues; develop basic interviewing, counseling, and informal advocacy skills; practice collaboration; and reflect on the role of the lawyer and their own professional development. This course meets the Professional Responsibility requirement.