Purdue Global Law School Course Descriptions
CL500: Fundamentals
The fundamentals course is designed to give you a glimpse into the law school experience and the tools and systems you will use while at Purdue Global Law School so that you are prepared to begin your studies on the first day of class. While not required and no credit is given, participation is highly encouraged as it will provide foundational knowledge of the law and how to best prepare for your law school journey.
Credit Hours: 0 | Prerequisite: None
CL550: Fundamentals II
The Fundamentals II course is designed to reintroduce and reinforce academic skills that will help you improve your academic performance and succeed in law school. The course will cover the following areas: establishing a growth mindset, understanding essay scores, time management, goal setting, preparing for law school exams, and preparing for future success in law school. This course is not required and is not credit-bearing. However, students intending to submit a probation SAP appeal must complete all course modules to have their SAP appeal considered.
Credit Hours: 0 | Prerequisite: Approval of the Dean
CL555: Foundations for Law School Excellence (FLEX)
Foundations for Law School Excellence (FLEX) is an eight-week, pass/fail pre-admission program. In this course, you will gain a solid foundation in the skills needed to be successful in law school, with a focus on skills applicable to the first year. You will learn how to read and analyze cases in a discrete area of law and apply legal principles to analyze law school hypotheticals and other typical law school assessments. The course will consist of weekly self-paced modules and live online seminars. The course also features community building, study skills and legal skills training, frequent practice, and individualized feedback and mentoring.
Credit Hours: 1 | Prerequisite: None
CL600: Introduction to Legal Analysis I
This first-year course is designed to introduce you to the study of law and the American Legal System. It teaches you the ability to spot and analyze legal issues in factual situations. The course also introduces you to legal reasoning and legal writing.
Credit Hours: 1 | Prerequisite: None | Corequisite: CL610 and CL623
CL601: Introduction to Legal Analysis II
This course is a continuation of CL600: Introduction of Legal Analysis I. This first-year course is designed to introduce you to the study of law and the American Legal System. It teaches you the ability to spot and analyze legal issues in factual situations. The course also introduces you to legal reasoning and legal writing.
Credit Hours: 1 | Prerequisite: CL600 | Corequisite: CL611 and CL624
CL610: Contracts I
This course examines the legal theories and principles relating to parties and agreements and their resultant obligations or benefits. Covered topics include the following: formation, conditions, and remedies of contracts; bargained-for consideration; third-party contracts (including assignments and delegations); statute of frauds; parol evidence; impossibility of performance; and frustration of purpose.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None | Corequisite: CL600 and CL623
CL611: Contracts II
This course is a continuation of CL610: Contracts I. This course examines the legal theories and principles relating to parties and agreements and their resultant obligations or benefits. Covered topics include the following: formation, conditions, and remedies of contracts; bargained-for consideration; third-party contracts (including assignments and delegations); statute of frauds; parol evidence; impossibility of performance; and frustration of purpose.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: CL610 | Corequisite: CL601 and CL624
CL623: Torts I
This course explores the study of civil liability relating to intentional acts and violation of duties imposed by law. In addition, legal wrongs committed by a private person upon the person or property of another independent of a contractual relationship are covered in detail in this course. Topics include intentional torts and defenses to intentional torts, misrepresentation, negligence, and damages.
Credit Hours: 3 | Prerequisite: None | Corequisite: CL600 and CL610
CL624: Torts II
This course is a continuation of CL623: Torts I. This course explores the study of civil liability relating to violations of duties imposed by law. In addition, legal wrongs committed by a private person upon the person or property of another independent of a contractual relationship are covered in detail in this course. Topics include negligence and defenses to negligence, strict liability, product liability, nuisance, defamation, and invasion of privacy.
Credit Hours: 3 | Prerequisite: CL623 | Corequisite: CL601 and CL611
CL630: Criminal Law I
This course examines the state's ability to punish individuals for wrongs committed. Homicide, theft (including robbery and burglary), assault, rape, kidnapping, and arson as well as attempts, conspiracies, and solicitation are covered in depth. The state of mind required to commit a crime, including justifications and excuses, is thoroughly covered.
Credit Hours: 3 | Prerequisite: None
CL631: Criminal Law II
This course is a continuation of CL630: Criminal Law I. This course examines the state's ability to punish individuals for wrongs committed. Homicide, theft (including robbery and burglary), assault, rape, kidnapping, and arson as well as attempts, conspiracies, and solicitation are covered in depth. The state of mind required to commit a crime, including justifications and excuses, is thoroughly covered.
Credit Hours: 3 | Prerequisite: CL630
CL650: Constitutional Law I
This course examines the organization and framework of the federal government, the distribution of political and governmental authorities and functions, and the fundamental principles that regulate the relationship between the government and its citizens. Specific topics include the source of judicial review, the powers of legislative and executive branches, the authority reserved for the states, due process, equal protection, and First Amendment freedoms.
CL651: Constitutional Law II
This course is a continuation of CL650: Constitutional Law I. This course examines individual rights under the United States Constitution that impose limitations on governmental power. Specific topics include due process, equal protection, and First Amendment freedoms.
Credit Hours: 3 | Prerequisite: CL650
CL660: Real Property I
The law governing all aspects of real property and the creation of rights is the focus of this course. Additional topics include ownership rights (including present estates), co-tenancy, future interests, and the relations between landlord and tenant. Real property contracts, statute of fraud problems, real property mortgages, conveyancing, and adverse possession are also discussed.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None
CL661: Real Property II
This course is a continuation of CL660: Real Property I. The law governing all aspects of real property and the creation of rights is the focus of this course. Additional topics include ownership rights (including present estates), co-tenancy, future interests, and the relations between landlord and tenant. Real property contracts, statute of fraud problems, real property mortgages, conveyancing, and adverse possession are also discussed.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: CL660
CL670: Civil Procedure I
Access to the U.S. court system is the focus of this course. Proper jurisdiction and venue (including long-arm statutes and minimum contacts) are covered in detail. Other topics include pleadings, joinder of parties and claims, class actions, discovery, summary judgment, directed verdict, res judicata, collateral estoppel, and the appeal process.
CL671: Civil Procedure II
This course is a continuation of CL670: Civil Procedure I. This course addresses the requirements of the civil litigation process in federal courts. These requirements come from the United States Constitution, federal statutes, and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. This course covers answers and amendments to complaints, choice of law, discovery, summary judgment, judgment as a matter of law, jury trials, preclusion, and touches on appellate review. As part of the course, you will draft an answer to a complaint, discovery requests, and a motion for summary judgment with a memorandum of law.
Credit Hours: 3 | Prerequisite: CL670
CL685: Criminal Procedure
This course focuses on the law governing the rights of the accused. The topics of arrest, search and seizure (Fourth Amendment), confession and self-incrimination (Fifth Amendment), police lineups, sentencing and the death penalty (Eighth Amendment), and the right to counsel (Fifth and Sixth Amendments) are covered in detail.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: CL630 (can be taken as a corequisite)
CL700: Corporations and Business Organizations I
This course covers the area of law relating to artificial persons or legal entities, consisting of members acting with a common purpose. Particular emphasis is placed on the formation of the corporate unit, the sale of shares (including federal securities law), the operation and management of the corporation, and the law covering dividends, repurchases, and redemptions.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: None
CL701: Corporations and Business Organizations II
This course is a continuation of CL700: Corporations and Business Organizations I. This course covers the area of law relating to artificial persons or legal entities, consisting of members acting with a common purpose. Particular emphasis is placed on the formation of the corporate unit, the sale of shares (including federal securities law), the operation and management of the corporation, and the law covering dividends, repurchases, and redemptions.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL700
CL710: Evidence I
This course covers the substance of and means by which alleged matters of fact are proved or disproved in court. Central topics include the requirements for the introduction and impeachment of evidence, relevancy, character evidence, expert testimony, privileges, and hearsay. The course also covers the roles of judges and juries in the evaluation of evidence.
Credit Hours: 3 | Prerequisite: None
CL711: Evidence II
This course is a continuation of CL710: Evidence I. This course covers the substance of and means by which alleged matters of fact are proved or disproved in court. Central topics include hearsay, expert testimony, and privileges. The course also covers the roles of judges and juries in the evaluation of evidence, and key distinctions between the Federal Rules of Evidence and the California Evidence Code.
Credit Hours: 3 | Prerequisite: CL710
CL727: Legal Analysis and Writing
This course teaches you how to synthesize complex information, analyze and formulate strategy, and predict outcomes. You will develop objective writing skills and ethical values in legal writing. The course covers the client interview, letters and other communications, and an objective memorandum.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL601
CL728: Advanced Legal Analysis and Writing - Regulatory and Transactional
This course teaches you how to analyze and write in legal and professional fields. You will develop skills and ethical values in analyzing issues using objective and persuasive writing. Course projects will provide instruction and practice in advanced writing skills that are useful to anyone in legal and professional fields, such as drafting an employment contract provision, advising a client, and analyzing a regulation or policy.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL727
CL729: Advanced Legal Analysis and Writing - Litigation
This course gives you an opportunity to practice analysis and writing in the context of a variety of tasks in which litigators typically engage. You will develop skills and ethical values in formulating legal strategy; drafting legal documents to file with a court, including a brief; and presenting an oral argument.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL727
CL730: Electronic Legal Research
This course focuses on research skills and techniques, including the use of an online library. You will learn to plan the research process, evaluate research resources, find relevant legal authorities, and evaluate the weight of authority.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: None
CL735: Professional Responsibility
The law relating to the ethical standards that govern attorneys and judges is the focus of this course. It covers the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct, the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct, and some California Rules of Professional Conduct. The course will also include materials on professional conduct of the attorney, the role of a lawyer, the lawyer as an officer of the court, and the relationship of the lawyer to society.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: JD only
CL740: Future of Law Practice
This course will explore emerging topics in law practice. Topics will include challenges and opportunities emerging in ethics, societal and legal industry change, and technology. Specific emphasis will be placed on application of the ABA Rules of Professional Responsibility to contemporary law practice. Skills emphasized in the course are research, analysis, communication, and business planning.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL730 and CL735 (may be taken concurrently)
CL745: Cross Professional Ethics
This course focuses on fundamental, contemporary ethical questions in the practice of law and examines the basic premises underlying the lawyer-client relationship and some of the duties of lawyers, including duties to clients, the public, the courts, and other professionals, with an emphasis on the unauthorized practice of law. It also compares the ethics of the legal profession with other professions. The course incorporates various forms of media to illustrate ethical dilemmas in everyday professional life including presentations, web resources, and print media.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: None
CL750: Estates, Wills, and Trusts I
This course covers the law of estates and trusts as applied in California and gives a general overview of how it applies in the rest of the country. Issues dealing with the validity and revocation of wills are examined in particular, as they may affect distribution of assets of an estate. In addition, the laws of express trusts (including creation and administration), charitable trusts, and consecutive trusts are covered.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: None
CL751: Estates, Wills, and Trusts II
This course is a continuation of CL750: Estates, Wills, and Trusts I. This course covers the law of estates and trusts, including different types of trusts; the formation, modification, and termination of trusts; the rights of beneficiaries and creditors to trust assets; the duties of trustees; and the rights and remedies available to beneficiaries in the event of trustee breaches. Related topics such as powers of appointment and future estates are also addressed. In addition, the course will revisit wills topics addressed in CL750, examine the requirements for basic estate planning, and teach practical skills related to interviewing estate planning clients, planning estates, and drafting wills.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL750
CL760: Community Property
This course covers the Law of Community Property and Division of Marital Assets in California. Specific topics include the characterization of property as separate or community, creditors' rights, third-party transfers, and the resolving of disputes upon the termination of a relationship or the death of a party.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: None
CL761: Family Law Practicum
This course continues where CL760 left off, incorporating practical community property and family law skills and concepts. Family law is a very common practice area for solo and small firm attorneys, particularly early in their careers, and there is a societal need for representation in this area, given that 80-90% of family law litigants are self-represented. Family law is at the intersection of law, social policy, and the most intimate of human relations, marriage and parentage. This course will explore topics including jurisdiction over the family, separation, dissolution, annulment, parenting time, parenting responsibility, child support, partner support, and domestic violence. Much of family law is policy driven and designed with a policy outcome in mind. This class will help you analyze legal policy to determine if, in application, it meets the policy goal.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL760
CL770: Remedies I
This course reviews both legal and equitable remedies, focusing on the underlying liability theories that give rise to the remedy and the remedy itself. Special attention is given to contract and tort remedies. Students will be exposed to the types of problems that they may encounter in law practice, with particular emphasis on ones that cross a variety of disciplines. Final papers are similar to the performance tests currently administered by the State Bar of California.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: None
CL771: Remedies II
This course is a continuation of CL770: Remedies I. This course reviews both legal and equitable remedies, focusing on the underlying liability theories that give rise to the remedy and the remedy itself. Special attention is given to contract and tort remedies. Students will be exposed to the types of problems that they may encounter in law practice, with particular emphasis on ones that cross a variety of disciplines. Final papers are similar to the performance tests currently administered by the State Bar of California.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL770
CL772: Remedies
This course reviews both legal and equitable remedies, focusing on the underlying liability theories that give rise to the remedy and the remedy itself. Special attention is given to contract and tort remedies. You will be exposed to the types of problems that they may encounter in law practice, with particular emphasis on ones that cross a variety of disciplines. Final papers are similar to the performance tests currently administered by the State Bar of California.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL610, CL611, CL623, and CL624
CL780: Capstone I
This course provides you with an effective means of integrating what you have learned over the course of your legal education, building on a strong substantive and skills foundation to make critical judgments about the law and policy as a practicing attorney. Special attention will be devoted to the skills necessary for success on the California Bar Examination. Through work with testing forms currently employed by the California Committee of Bar Examiners, you will refine your ability to analyze legal principles and express your thoughts in an appropriate legal fashion. This course will be graded pass/fail.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: Fourth year JD only
CL781: Capstone II
This course is a continuation of CL780: Capstone I. This course provides you with an effective means of integrating what you have learned over the course of your legal education, building on a strong substantive and skills foundation to make critical judgments about the law and policy as a practicing attorney. Special attention will be devoted to the skills necessary for success on the California Bar Examination. Through work with testing forms currently employed by the California Committee of Bar Examiners, you will refine your ability to analyze legal principles and express your thoughts in an appropriate legal fashion. This course will be graded pass/fail.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL780
CL801: Contract Drafting
A lawyer once said, "Legal drafting is legal thinking made visible." The drafter's work not only makes explicit the parties' understanding of the deal but also (1) fills the gaps sometimes left in contract negotiations, (2) anticipates problems that might arise in the future, and (3) creates a document that is clear and unambiguous. Through a series of readings, problems, and exercises, you will review the substance of contract law and learn techniques for analyzing and drafting contracts that meet the particular needs and objectives of a client.
CL802: Business Planning and Skills Training - Practicum
This course focuses on the role of the lawyer as an advisor to closely held businesses and their owners. During the course, you will study and plan the formation, operation, and dissolution of a closely held business. You will receive the substantive knowledge you need to draft the documents required by the business.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: CL700 and CL701 (CL701 may be taken concurrently)
CL805: Federal Taxation
This course examines the fundamental concepts underlying the federal income tax system, with an emphasis on individual taxation. Major topics include determination of gross income, deductions, timing issues, and disposition of property. In this course, you will interpret the Internal Revenue Code, United States Treasury regulations, tax cases, and related tax material.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None
CL806: Bankruptcy Law
This course will introduce the rules and practice of bankruptcy law focusing primarily on consumer bankruptcies, debtor creditor law, and secured transactions. Attorneys representing consumers can help them through some of the most difficult times of their lives, to help them get a fresh start or to reorganize their debt so they can realistically pay it off and preserve important assets. A creditor's attorney can make sure that the creditor is treated equitably, recover what they can, and prevent fraud.
Credit Hours: 3 | Prerequisite: CL730
CL807: Compliance and Risk Management
Compliance and Risk Management examines how regulators and enforcers use their authority to address corporate misconduct. This course will explore essential issues in risk management and compliance in various industries. You will be provided an overview of the principles of corporate governance and the roles of shareholders, boards of directors, and executives. Using timely examples, you will explore the impact of whistleblowers and others in stopping inappropriate corporate behavior. Risk management, investigations, and the elements of a cost-effective corporate compliance program are also addressed. Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria used by investors will also be covered along with foreign corruption and anti-money laundering.
Credit Hours: 3 | Prerequisite: None
CL810: Artificial Intelligence Law
Artificial intelligence (AI) permeates many aspects of our lives, including the law and the practice of law and other professions. This influence is bound to continue to grow as investment, development, and adoption of AI grows. This course explores the opportunities and challenges that AI poses in the law. Particular attention is paid to the impact on intellectual property, privacy, and the regulation of AI.
Credit Hours: 3 | Prerequisite: None
CL811: Administrative Law
This course provides an overview of administrative law and procedure, including the creation and authority of federal agencies and the ways that agencies exercise their authority to govern certain areas. It includes a review of agency rulemaking, investigation, and adjudicatory functions. It also includes judicial review of administrative agency actions. The assessments in the course give you hands-on opportunities to apply what you learn by completing projects on federal agencies in which you are interested and by addressing situations based on real agency actions.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None
CL813: Employment Discrimination
This course will focus on the federal statutory responses to the issues surrounding employment discrimination on the basis of age, disability, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and alienage. In this context, you will examine the manner in which Congress and the federal courts have balanced preserving the rights to control private property with the nation's commitment to equal opportunity in employment. To that end, you will carefully examine the provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, and sex, the 19th century federal Reconstruction Civil Rights Acts, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. This course will also address more expansive anti-discrimination protections under California state law. You will gain essential information about the procedures for resolving employment discrimination disputes and the remedies that may be available upon that resolution.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: None
CL816: Immigration Law
Immigration law has a significant impact on individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, and national security. Immigration intersects with employment law, criminal law, and family law. This course will prepare you for practical application of immigration law. You will learn about the process of legally entering the United States and how people can become U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. This course will also explore the consequences of entering or remaining in the U.S. without authorization. Additionally, the course will discuss how people can lose their citizenship or permanent residency. You would benefit from taking Constitutional Law and Criminal Procedure before this course, but are not required to do so.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL601
CL817: Rural Law Practice
This course will provide you with a foundation of knowledge to understand issues affecting rural law practice, including differences in demographics and socioeconomic status that affect potential clients for practitioners in rural areas. Topics will include foundational concepts of law that uniquely impact rural areas such as agricultural law, farm succession planning, and land use; barriers to accessing and providing legal services in rural areas; and practical skills practice for effectively providing legal services to rural clients.
Credit Hours: 3 | Prerequisite: None
CL820: Intellectual Property
This is a survey course in the field of intellectual property law. Topics that are covered include examination of the statutory basis and rationale for protection of trade secrets, inventions (patents), creative works (copyright), and brands (trademarks). The course will include review of the processes involved in obtaining protection of intellectual property and the threshold criteria for qualifying for such protection. The enforcement of intellectual property rights will also be discussed, including where subject matter and personal jurisdiction may be found.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None | Corequisite: CL730
CL821: Cyber Law
This broad survey course is designed to explore the legal, ethical, and technological issues involved in cyberspace. Topics will include internet policy, governance, and regulation; jurisdiction; constitutional rights and privacy; copyright and fair use; trademarks; and ediscovery.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: CL730
CL822: Patent Law Fundamentals
This class focuses on the law relating to the procurement and enforcement of patent rights. The course begins with an examination of the statutory basis for patents and how that relates to the "patentability requirements." The patentability requirements are also discussed in the context of patent litigation, where a failure to meet the requirements can provide a defendant a way to invalidate a patent that is asserted against it. In this course you will gain a broad overview of the patent laws as interpreted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and applied by the various federal courts (primarily the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit) that have exclusive jurisdiction to hear patent matters.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: None
CL826: Cybersecurity Law
Cybersecurity law is a complex area of practice that is likely to expand and evolve. This course will provide insights into data security law, data breach notification laws, privacy law as it applies to cybersecurity, antihacking law, and government surveillance law. Laws discussed will include HIPAA, HITECH, FERPA, and GLBA. Skills practiced in this course will include writing, analysis, and research.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: None
CL827: Employment Law
Employment law has a significant and pervasive impact on society and our economy. This course addresses employment relationships, employment contracts, employment-related torts, worker's compensation, re-employment, whistleblower statutes, safety, employee benefits, and wage and hour issues. Skills addressed in this course include client counseling, compliance, drafting, and negotiating.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: CL611 and either CL621 or CL624
CL830: Health Law
This course introduces you to the legal issues involving the health care system and health care providers. Areas covered include licensing and discipline, informed consent, confidentiality, patient-professional relationships, liability of health care professionals and institutions, patient safety, health care coverage, fraud and abuse, and beginning of life and end of life issues.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None
CL831: Medical Malpractice/Professional Liability
This course examines the duty of health care professionals and organizations to provide appropriate care by addressing specific tort issues, practice guidelines and standards, applicable regulations, and data bank issues.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL830
CL833: Medical Products Liability
This course explores the legal aspects of health-related products liability, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and genetically engineered treatment modalities, plus relevant toxic tort issues. You will evaluate the current laws applicable to these areas and how they are applied through product liability claims and through administrative agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The course will emphasize health law issues in products liability and will also cover aspects of administrative law. The course assessments provide you with some hands-on opportunities to apply what you learn in a "real-world" way by completing projects on the FDA and on litigation involving medical devices and pharmaceuticals and by drafting pleadings and a judicial decision to address hypothetical situations.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: None
CL834: Risk Management in Health Care
This course explores various models and trends in risk management programs, along with their components. The course will focus on all forms of risk and risk management in health care environments, from initiation of care through completion of care.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL830
CL836: Health Law Independent Study
This course allows you to develop a project or a law review style paper on a health law topic. Projects or papers must be original work that adds something new and of value to the subject area addressed and reflects a high level of research and thorough analysis of a topic. You must spend at least 90 hours on a project or paper, and if completing a paper, it must be at least 30 pages in length to receive 2 credits. If you are considering this elective, you should review the Independent Study Request Form for further information on the expectations for student work in the course and the process for getting approval of an independent study project.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL830
CL839: Trial Advocacy - Theories, Tactics, and Techniques
This course introduces you to the fundamentals of courtroom advocacy. Interactive modules allow you to study the foundation of effective advocacy and to learn by doing. You are exposed to trial tactics and techniques including opening statements, direct and cross examinations, introduction of evidence, and closing arguments. You are assessed and receive feedback on your own performances via online video presentations. You must have access or arrange access to a webcam or other recording device that allows you to record videos and upload them, and be able to participate in live online videoconferencing.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL710 and CL711 (can be taken as a corequisite)
CL841: ADR and Technology
This course explores the use of technology to facilitate dispute resolution. You will participate in several negotiation activities with a partner and mediation sessions with some of your classmates. You must have, or have ready access to, a web camera (webcam) and microphone as well as a sufficiently fast internet connection to participate in these activities online via webcam. You must also be able to stay on pace with the ideal modules in the course and complete assignments on time because many of them will be joint assignments that you will do with one or more of your classmates. The course activities must occur during certain time frames in the course and cannot be delayed if you are behind, and your classmates will be depending on you to keep pace to complete assignments. You will also participate in an arbitration proceeding and explore various online methods of dispute resolution.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: None
CL843: Virtual Law Practice
Virtual law practice is a fact of operation for the vast majority of contemporary law firms; even those law firms that would not be considered to be wholly virtual nonetheless incorporate components of virtual practice. This course addresses the practical aspects of launching a virtual practice as well as related legal, ethical, and technological considerations, making this a useful overview if you wish to incorporate any aspect of virtual practice into your future work. This course will also address financial planning and budgeting, marketing, client acquisition tactics, staffing, and data management.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: None
CL845: Administrative Advocacy
Many legal matters involving state and federal laws are resolved, at least in part, through administrative proceedings rather than courts. Examples include disability and other types of benefits claims, employment, housing, and education matters, licensing disputes, tax matters, patents, and immigration proceedings. Administrative hearings sometimes have less formal procedures than courts, and some matters can be handled by advocates who are not licensed attorneys. In this course, you will develop skills related to interviewing clients, presenting evidence, and making legal arguments at administrative hearings. You will participate in a mock hearing using a free video chat platform assigned by the professor. You will interact with your professor and fellow classmates by email, phone, and face-to-face using the video chat platform. You must have, or have ready access to, a web camera (webcam), a microphone, and a sufficiently fast internet connection to participate in these interactions and in the mock hearing.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: None
CL850: Education Law
Education Law provides you with an overview of key topics in the field by examining the constitutional principles, statutes, agency regulations, and judicial decisions that have shaped public and private education. The course will help you understand how these various sources of law affect schools and their students and staff. Topics include: foundational principles; school funding; employment issues; school liability; instruction and curricular issues; privacy rights and right-to-know laws; student and teacher rights in areas such as the First Amendment, discipline, discrimination, and religion; search, seizure, and interrogation; special education; other federal laws; and cutting- edge topics such as electronic speech, discipline for off-campus behavior, cyberbullying, strip searches, and education reform. The course uses a problem-based approach that allows you to apply what you learn by discussing and addressing real-world situations through various problems, activities, and assessments. You will also go outside of the classroom materials to gather information about how education law works in practice in your own state.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: None
CL855: Special Education Law
Special Education Law provides you with an overview of key topics in the field by examining the statutes, agency regulations, and judicial decisions that have shaped special education. Topics include evaluations, eligibility, the meaning of a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), Individual Education Programs (IEPs), placement, least restrictive environment requirements, discipline, procedural safeguards, dispute resolution, Section 504/ADA, and remedies. The course will help you understand how the legal standards that govern these topics impact the services that schools must provide to students with disabilities. The course allows you to apply what you learn by discussing and addressing real-world situations through various problems and assessments. You will also go outside of the classroom materials to gather information about how special education law works in practice and in your state.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: None
CL884: Legal Education Experience Program (LEEP)
The Legal Education Experience Program (LEEP) provides you with the opportunity to experience the law. You will apply your knowledge of the law and utilize your legal skills at a corporation, organization, government entity, law firm, or other setting. You will work with the Director of Externships to identify and obtain approval for an appropriate externship. You may take this course a second time for credit if you obtain a different externship.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, CL727 and CL730, and approval by Director of Externships
CL887: Legal Education Experience Program II (LEEP II)
Legal Education Experience Program II (LEEP II) provides you with a second opportunity to experience the law in a practical setting. You will work under a supervising attorney in a judicial, law firm, public law office, corporate, or government setting. You will work with your professor to identify and obtain approval for an appropriate externship. You may not be placed with the same organization for LEEP II.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL884; minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
CL890: Independent Study
This course requires you to design and execute a research project that generally will result in a paper of at least 30 pages. If you are considering this elective, you should review the Independent Study Request Form for further information on the expectations for student work in the course and the process for getting approval of an independent study project. You may take this course a second time for credit if you get approval for a different independent study project.
Credit Hours: 2 | Prerequisite: CL727, preapproval via Independent Study Request Form, and cumulative GPA requirement
CL892: Independent Study
This course requires you to design and execute a research project that generally will result in a paper of at least 60 pages. If you are considering this elective, you should review the Independent Study Request Form for further information on the expectations for student work in the course and the process for getting approval of an independent study project. You may take this course a second time for credit if you get approval for a different independent study project.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: CL727, preapproval via Independent Study Request Form, and cumulative GPA requirement
CL894: Moot Court - Honors Program Track A
In this course, selected third- or fourth-year JD students have an opportunity to participate in external moot court competitions in order to hone written and oral advocacy skills. Competitions selected may change from year to year.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: CL729 and selection by faculty
CL895: Moot Court - Honors Program Track B
In this course, selected third- or fourth-year JD students have an opportunity to participate in external moot court competitions to hone written and oral advocacy skills. Competitions selected may change from year to year.
Credit Hours: 4 | Prerequisite: CL729 and selection by faculty