Two Weeks 1 Semester Unit

In this introductory course, the student discovers the basic concepts of law and the history of the American system of jurisprudence and juristic theory that originated from, and was developed and formulated through, the common law of England and is now recognized as an organic part of the jurisprudence of most of the United States. Students are introduced to important legal terminology, basic legal analysis, and practice of the law. An orientation to legal writing is presented with an emphasis on case briefing skills.

Fourteen Weeks 7 Semester Units

Students will study both the common law contract principles relating to contracts for services and the Uniform Commercial Code contract principles relating to contracts for goods.. They will learn the rules governing the formation of contracts such as offer, acceptance, consideration & defenses, such as, the statute of frauds, capacity, illegality, misrepresentation/fraud, duress, unconscionability, undue influence and mistake. Students will also study contractual conditions, third-party rights, assignments, delegations & the law pertaining to the enforcement of contracts, liability & remedies for breach of contract.

Fourteen Weeks 7 Semester Units

This course is a survey of civil causes of action for which an injured party may seek redress and compensatory relief in court. Students will learn various theories of tort liability including intentional torts to person and property such as assault, battery, false imprisonment, trespass and infliction of emotional distress. Students will also examine the law relating to causes of action for ordinary and professional negligence, wrongful death, products liability, and dignitary torts such as invasion of privacy, defamation, constitutional torts and nuisance. They will also examine strict liability causes of action such as pet ownership and products liability. Finally, students will examine tort defenses of privilege, mistake, self-defense, consent, necessity, immunity, contributory and comparative negligence and assumption of the risk.

Twelve Weeks 6 Semester Units

Students will examine the common law and the modern criminal justice systems including their theory of punishment, classification of crimes, criminal causation and elements of various crimes. Students will study the criminal culpability rules applicable to perpetrators such as principals, accessories & accomplices. Students will learn the elements of various crimes committed against persons such as homicide, assault, battery, rape and mayhem. They will also study property crimes such as larceny, embezzlement, false pretenses, receiving stolen property, robbery, burglary & arson. Further, students will examine the inchoate crimes of attempt, solicitation and conspiracy, and will also learn many affirmative defenses including mistake, self defense, consent, infancy, insanity, intoxication, duress, necessity, and entrapment.

Four Weeks 2 Semester Units

This course will provide students with instruction related to both the concepts behind and practical applications of legal writing, research, and analysis. This course will include instruction in understanding and utilizing primary sources of law including case law, statutory and constitutional law as well as secondary, non-binding sources of law. Students will also receive instruction related to the basics of legal research, both traditional and online, and its importance to the legal process. Students will be introduced to the use and benefits of their Westlaw account.

Six Weeks 3 Semester Units

This course is designed to assist the student in their preparation for the First Year Law Students’ Exam (FYLSX). All of the classes will include substantive review, exploring the answers to multistate questions and analyzing essay techniques and approaches. Every week students are required to write answers to two essays distributed each week. The answers the students submit for the questions will be returned with sample answers.