Legal Studies (LS)

LS100: Introduction to the Law and Legal Profession

This course examines the foundation, organization, and structure of the American legal system with an emphasis on the careers available in the legal profession. You will explore the roles and responsibilities of professionals in the legal field. You will learn the professional and ethical practices needed to succeed as a legal support professional or as a legal specialist.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

LS185: Introduction to American Jurisprudence

It is important for members of the legal support team to have a strong foundation in the fundamentals of the American legal system and American law. This includes understanding procedural rules, the use of precedent and other relevant concepts and current trends in American law. This course provides an understanding of jurisprudence as applied to these areas, as well as civil and common law traditions, constitutional law, and specific court cases and areas of law. Upon successful completion of this course you will have an enriched, more comprehensive understanding of the American legal system.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

LS204: Legal Research and Writing

Two of the most basic tasks performed by a legal support team member are legal research and written analysis - finding the law, analyzing the component parts of court opinions, and applying the reasoning of relevant legal authorities to a factual situation. Upon successful completion of this course, you will have gained specialized skills in the area of legal research and the ability to analyze and synthesize legal authority. Additionally, you will be able to draft correspondence and memoranda commonly used in the practice of law.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

LS244: Advanced Legal Research and Writing

This course focuses on researching legal issues and drafting legal documents using the results of student research. Emphasis will be placed on briefing and analyzing court opinions and other legal sources, applying the legal rationale to a given factual situation, and drafting documents commonly used in legal practice. This course also teaches you how to present the results of research in a professional manner.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: LS204

LS298: Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services Capstone

This course is designed as the culminating experience of the Associate of Applied Science in Legal Support and Services. This course comprises a series of assignments that integrate the core concepts from the judicial studies and practice program outcomes and curriculum. The assignments are designed to test knowledge, technical skills, and competencies as students work through fact-based scenarios and assess issues affecting practical legal matters.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: Final term or Dean approval

LS302: Environmental Law and Policy

This course is an exploration of the history of environmental law in the United States, the federal and state statutory and regulatory laws governing human behavior and the environment, and ethical considerations in environmental law.

Quarter Credit Hours: 6 | Prerequisite: None

LS305: Constitutional Law

This course provides you with a view of constitutional law's historical development and explores landmark cases involving the First Amendment freedom of speech and expression. Significant trends in constitutional law and current issues will be explored to study the way in which constitutional law evolves as society evolves. Constitutional criminal procedure issues ranging from the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable search and seizure to the Eighth Amendment right against cruel and unusual punishment will be explored with a focus on diversity and police reform.

Quarter Credit Hours: 6 | Prerequisite: None

LS308: Law and Society

In this course, you will learn about the law as a general concept, with pervasive influence in all aspects of social interaction, formation, and change. Theories of design, enforcement, and remediation under the American legal and law enforcement systems will be evaluated. You will also identify and differentiate between legal systems around the globe, which will provide you the opportunity to gain an appreciation of the value, reach, and utility of a well-defined legal system.

Quarter Credit Hours: 6 | Prerequisite: None

LS311: 🌐 Business Law

This course introduces the fundamentals of the U.S. legal system as it applies to business in the contemporary global economy. Areas covered include the legal environment of business, torts and crimes, contracts, employment relations, and business organizations. The course will also look at the relationship between business and law in the context of current events that impact our communities.

Quarter Credit Hours: 6 | Prerequisite: None

LS311M1: How Law Affects Business

Examine how law affects business.