Course Description

Course Title:	Introduction to Law and Contracts
Course Number:	PA 1102
Credits:	4 semester credits
Prerequisites:	Grade C or better in ENG 0099 or placement into ENG 1108
Recommendations:	It is strongly recommended that students take ENG 1108 before or concurrently with this course.
Catalog Description:	Introduces the student to state and federal court systems; civil and criminal law, including general contract law, tort law, and constitutional law; legal analysis; the employment functions of paralegals and its ethical implications.
Outcomes:	Students will be able to: Demonstrate a basic understanding of the sources and purposes of the law. Recognize, interpret and distinguish between the state and federal court systems. Develop, use and discuss a basic legal vocabulary. Conduct a basic level of legal reasoning and analysis. State, apply and analyze the basics concepts of constitutional, tort and criminal law. Conduct legal analysis of specific common law contract issues. Form a contract and know what constitutes a breach of contract. Summarize the facts of a case, explain the applicable law, apply the law to the facts, and reach a legal conclusion for a basic legal issue. Recall, interpret and analyze the basic rules of legal professional responsibility, ethics and confidentiality.
Topics Covered	INTRODUCTION TO LAW Introduction to the Law and Ethics - 4 hours State and Federal Courts Systems - 4 hours Private Duties-Torts - 8 hours Constitutional Law - 8 hours Criminal Law and Procedure - 8 hours (Hour Subtotal: 32 hours) CONTRACTS Basic Concepts-Terminology - 1 hour Offers & Acceptance - 3 hours Consideration - 2 hours Capacity - 2 hours Legality, Statute of Frauds, Construction - 2 hours Defenses to the Formation and Enforcement of Contracts - 2 hours Third Party Rights and Obligations - 4 hours Performance of Contract - 3 hours Remedies - 3 hours (Hour Subtotal: 22 hours) ETHICS (2 hours) EXAMS AND DISCUSSION OF EXAMS (8 hours) Total Semester Hours: 64 hours
Course Objectives	To provide the student with an introduction to the state and federal court systems, history and sources of law, jurisdiction, civil lawsuits, legal analysis, ethics, civil, criminal and constitutional law, and the job functions of the paralegal as well as an extensive analysis of contract law. This course is designed for the student interested in a career as a paralegal, legal administrative assistant, secretary or law enforcement personnel.
Outcomes Measures	The student may take periodic quizzes and/or exam(s), brief court cases, draft court documents and a contract, written legal analysis papers, and possibly prepare and present a mock trial. Another approach may be to assign three take-home exams and require written essay answers, which include factual and legal analysis. Emphasis may be on oral and written communication skills, listening and reasoning skills, and legal analysis. Grading of assignments and exams may be on a numerical point basis. The final grade will be a full letter grade (A-F).

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