Law and Justice (LAW)

Courses and Descriptions

LAW 140 Intro Seminar in Law & Justice 3 Credits

Introduces students to the interdisciplinary study of law and justice. The seminar is designed to enable students to think critically about legal issues, address legal problems from various viewpoints, and apply different types of theories of justice to analyze laws and legal institutions. Students will learn to examine law and legal issues from a variety of perspectives and approaches: anthropological, historical, literary, philosophical, political, psychological, and sociological. Open to freshmen and sophomores only.

LAW 305 Trial Advocacy 3 Credits

Students will apply fundamental legal concepts and rules of evidence to specific cases. By engaging in trial simulations, students will evaluate various forms of evidence, identify legal principles and evidentiary rules that impact a criminal trial, learn about trial procedures, pursuit of case theories, and witness, exhibit and jury selection.

LAW 308 Conflict & Conflict Resolution 3 Credits

Focuses on understanding the meaning of conflict and strategies for its resolution. The course examines the ways conflict functions in various social contexts including professional, community, family, education, and international relations. Traditional models of adjudication will be compared to alternative forms of dispute resolution. Students will be introduced to research on the practice and effectiveness of various forms of conflict and conflict resolution. Students will participate in various class exercises, including role-plays, simulations, and case studies.

LAW 310 Cyberspace Law and Policy 3 Credits

Explores the legal and policy concerns raised by the Internet, nationally and globally. The course considers issues of legal regulation of the Internet, and consider the debate about whether cyberspace can or should be regulated. Attention will be given to the applicability of principles of law and models of regulation. Topics addressed will include jurisdiction, freedom of expression, intellectual property, privacy protection, safety concerns, equal access, electronic commerce, and computer crime.

LAW 355 Sports and the Law 3 Credits

Examines the legal, ethical, economic, social and managerial issues related to sports. Topics include liability issues, contracts, employment discrimination, antitrust law, and constitutional law. Note: This course is cross-listed as SPT 355. Students may not get credit for both LAW 355 and SPT 355.

LAW 395 Selected Topics in Law/Justice 3 Credits

Studies specialized areas of scholarship related to laws, legal institutions, legal or law- related occupations, and/or legal decision making. The course will provide an interdisciplinary examination of a selected topic. Topics vary and are listed in the course roster.

LAW 450 Law & Justice Senior Seminar 3 Credits

Draws on and develops students’ knowledge and understanding of law and legal institutions and applies it to a specific legal topic, method, institution, or controversy. Topics will vary. Students explore the social, political, ethical, and economic issues relevant to the topic. Students will be expected to contribute to seminar discussions and to complete projects related to the seminar theme. Required for seniors in law and justice minor and open to others by permission of the Director of the Law and Justice Program.

LAW 490 Independent Study: Research and Creative Expression 1-4 Credits

Independent Research and Study allows juniors and seniors in good academic standing to investigate topics of interest under faculty supervision. Projects must be approved by the faculty member, department chairperson, and academic dean no later than the third week of the semester in which the project is to be conducted. Only one project can be scheduled in a semester, and for no more than four semester hours; up to 12 semester hours of independent research and study may be counted toward graduation. Note that individual departments may have additional restrictions.

LAW 491 Internship in Law and Justice 1-4 Credits

Provides supervised work experience in an institution, office, or agency related to law or law enforcement, such as courts, prosecutor/defense attorney offices, private law offices, state agencies, and local police departments. Students are expected to apply and broaden the knowledge obtained from law and justice minor courses to their fieldwork experience.

Prerequisite(s): 2.75 GPA and permission of the Director of the Law and Justice program.

LAW 496 Honors Thesis in Law & Justice 3-6 Credits

Entails substantial research and writing on a topic selected by the student. Proposals must be reviewed and approved by the law and justice program committee. Proposals must be submitted at least four weeks prior to course registration.

Prerequisite(s): Seniors in the minor with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a 3.25 GPA in law and justice minor courses.