Course Description

• 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.

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

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.

The student may take exams requiring 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.