Contracts. This class covers enforceable agreements including requirements for the formation of a contract; problems of interpretation, consideration and its equivalent, damages for breach, the statute of frauds, illegality, and rights and liabilities of third parties arising from the contract itself or from assignment of contractual rights or delegation of duties.
Criminal Law. (3) Topics include substantive criminal law and elements of criminal responsibility, the law of crimes against persons, property, and habitation, the theory of criminal responsibility, parties and defenses to crimes.
Torts. (6) The historical development and nature of non-contractual civil law that allocates the economic burden of various injuries. A study of the principles of liability for physical harm under theories of negligence, intentional torts, and strict liability, including the law governing defamation, invasion of privacy and other relational harms.
Constitutional Law. (6) A study of the United States Constitution with an emphasis on the theory and practice of judicial interpretation and review. Topics include the separation of federal powers, the relation of the federal government to the states and specific government powers (tax, treaty, war, and commercial). The course also covers limitations placed on the exercise of governmental power, emphasizing the Bill of Rights, due process and equal protection clauses.
Legal Research. (2) A class to familiarize students with the basic foundations of legal research. Assignments include researching problems in the law library and researching and writing office memoranda, opinion letters and other documents. Computer-assisted legal research is included.
Legal Writing and Analysis. (2) A course designed to improve analytical and written communication skills. Students work on simple legal problems, learning how to identify and analyze legal issues and express their legal reasoning. Assignments include exercises in case briefing, exam writing, and drafting legal memoranda.