Behavioral & Natural Sciences: Legal Studies Course Descriptions

Undergraduate 2021-2022

LGS 150 Legal Environment (3)
An introduction to the field of law including its background and future types of positions, skills required to function as a paralegal, legal ethics, legal analysis and writing, business writing, and the legal system.

LGS 151 Legal Principles (3)
An introduction to basic legal principles through the study of the judicial system, judicial decision making, judicial remedies, the range of law, basic theories of law, and legal reasoning.

LGS 151S Serv Lrng: Legal Principles (1) EXP
Concurrent requisite(s): LGS 151
Service Learning is an opportunity to engage in service to others while making academic connections to course material. This one credit hour course requires 30 hours of meaningful community service. Students will serve a community partner accomplishing projects relevant to the academic course to which the Service Learning credit is attached. Students will also be required to engage in different forms of reflection such as journaling, group guided reflection, and a one-on-one meeting with the course instructor. Students will develop a greater understanding of social problems, a sense of responsibility to our surrounding communities, and an increased awareness of their own faith and values.

LGS 152 Legal Research (3)
Corequisite(s): LGS 151

LGS 206 Crime & Constitution (3) LAS
New Course
Crosslisted CRM 206. This course will examine various aspects of crime and criminal procedure that arise from the United States Constitution. Topics covered include search and seizure, due process, indictments, bail, punishments, double jeopardy, self- incrimination, treason, extradition, and the rights to speedy trial by jury, to confront witnesses, and to the effective assistance of counsel.

LGS 210 Business Law I (3)
Crosslisted BUS 210. The study of the nature of law and the legal system, and its application to business and the marketplace.

LGS 271 Estates and Trusts (3)
Prerequisite(s): LGS 151
An introduction to basic wills and trusts concepts and an examination of the law and procedure of preparing wills, administration of estates and general probate procedure. The drafting of wills and trusts, preparation of probate documents, filing procedures, asset collection, accounting, and closing procedures will be covered.

LGS 281 Real Estate (3)
Prerequisite(s): LGS 151
An introduction to the law of real estate, including concepts relating to ownership, transfer and encumbrance of real estate.

LGS 289 Women's Issues & the Law (3)
Crosslisted SOC 289. This course is about gender differences and gendered human interrelationships. Through reading and discussion of legislation, judicial opinions, and other sources, we will examine how U.S. law reflects and reinforces social and institutional arrangements that channel men and women into different roles and allocates power between them. We will also look at alternative formulations of legal concepts and at how law is made and implemented. Students should be able to develop a critical analytical approach that can be the basis for evaluating future changes in law.

LGS 291 Litigation (3)
Prerequisite(s): LGS 151
An introduction to the federal and state court systems, initiation of a lawsuit and its procedure through the judicial system. Emphasis placed on jurisdiction, venue, discovery, theories of liability, and causes of action commonly seen in litigation.

LGS 321 US/UK Comp Law & Crim Justice (3)
Prerequisite(s): LGS 151 or CRM 103
In this class, the student will be exposed to the law, legal process, and criminal system of the United Kingdom. The course will focus on development of the law in the United States, as it relates to the British Common Law, and compare and contrast the legal systems of these two countries. At the conclusion of this course, there will be a two-week trip to London, where students will be able to observe the British Court system.

LGS 350T Crim Law & Procedure for LGS (3)
New Course
Prerequisite(s): LGS 151
Crosslisted CRM 350T. This course will address the basics of criminal law and criminal procedure as it relate to paralegal practice.

LGS 354 Constitutional Law (3)
Crosslisted PSC 354. This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth study of the Constitution of the United States. Special attention will be given to the Bill of Rights and the freedoms and rights contained therein, such as the freedom of speech, due process, equal protection, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, etc.

LGS 355 Family Law (3)
Prerequisite(s): LGS 151
Students in this course have the opportunity to learn family law and the paralegal's role in the practice of family law. Attention is given to such topics as annulments, separation, dissolution of marriage, child custody, spousal support, parental rights, surrogate birth, family violence.

LGS 373 Comparative Criminal Justice/Criminology (3) LAS
Prerequisite(s): CRM 103, additional 6 CRM hours at 200 level or Instructor/Advisor Approval
Crosslisted CRM 372. This course offers a comparative, cross-cultural perspective to the study of criminal justice systems and crime patterns worldwide.

LGS 380 Sport Law (3)
Crosslisted SPM 380. Sport and recreation activities by their very nature have the potential for litigation. Familiarity with the law in these areas and the legal concepts behind the law will be discussed. Topics such as risk management, liability, crowd control, as well as tort, constitutional, and contract law will be stressed.

LGS 381 Internship Experience (3) EXP
The student works a minimum of 150 hours in a corporate legal department, law firm or other legal setting utilizing and refining skills learned in the classroom. Student must apply with the director of the Paralegal Studies program.

LGS 396 Co-Op:Parallel(PT) (1-3) EXP
Prerequisite(s): CED 220
A work related experience supervised by a faculty coordinator in collaboration with the cooperative education staff. Credit is awarded upon successful completion of the work experience, documentation of predetermined learning agreement and evaluation of work performance. Evaluation of work performed is on a pass/fail basis.

LGS 450 Adv Legal Research (3)
Prerequisite(s): LGS 152
This course should expand the knowledge gained in Legal Research (LGS 152) with a focus on legal research, writing, analysis, evaluation, and drafting. The course goes beyond the use of research tools into developing actual research and drafting skills.

LGS 496 Co-Op:Alternatng(FT) (1-3) EXP
Prerequisite(s): CED 220
A work related experience supervised by a faculty coordinator in collaboration with the cooperative education staff. Credit is awarded upon successful completion of the work experience, documentation of predetermined learning agreement and evaluation of work performance. Evaluation of work performed is on a pass/fail basis.

PSC 335 International Politics (3)
Prerequisite(s): SOC 103
Crosslisted SOC 335. This course studies the major political issues and events in the contemporary world. Their historical roots are traced, and their implications for the democratic peace and economic prosperity are analyzed. Particular attention is devoted to the role of the United States in the rapidly changing world.