Legal Studies Minor

CRIM1103 The objective of this course is to provide the student with the general principles of criminal law as a whole, in contrast to the specific definition of crimes (which vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction). These general principles will be applied to: (1) classify and understand the varied elements of specific crimes; (2) formulate the basis for specific crimes that prosecutors must prove; (3) touch upon constitutional requirements; and (4) understand the recognized defenses to justify or explain alleged criminal conduct.

CRIM1120 Jurisprudence is the study of legal theory and the practical application of the law. The objective of this class is two-fold: (1) to make the student aware of the history and nature of the law and the major philosophical approaches to the study and practice of law (a "classic" intellectual examination of jurisprudence); (2) to critically apply those philosophies to the practice of law. We will examine tenets of criminal law, contract law, civil and criminal procedure, torts, property law and family law. Those principles will be practically applied by the student in order to gain insight into the function of the law as practiced in courts today.

CRIM2100 This course is designed to prepare students for the characteristic style and format of writing letters and reports within the various professions of the criminal justice system. Emphasis will be on developing cogent, analytical, and legally sustainable documents with particular attention to format, structure, grammar and literary style. This course meets the requirements of the law school preparation curriculum.

CRIM2214 The objective of this course is to provide the student with the general principles of criminal procedure law as a whole, and how the United States Constitution?s guarantees of rights of individuals to life, liberty, privacy and property are balanced against the government?s power to enforce criminal law. The course will critically examine the application of these principles to real problems, specifically: (1) an individual?s right to Due Process of the Law; (2) the balancing of the end result versus the process by which that end is achieved; (3) the requirements which must be met before there is a lawful invasion by the government; and (4) remedies for Constitutional violations.

CRIM3319 This course will provide the student with an understanding of the purpose, organization, and operation of the judicial branch of government. The judiciary is more than courtrooms, judges, lawyers, and trials. There is a vast behind the scenes structure composed of numerous employees and programs which are not fully understood by the public, police, attorneys or other users of the court system. The divisions of court and these programs will be examined in detail as well as the corresponding job opportunities they provide to criminal justice majors.

CRIM3890 The objective of this course is to examine the cognitive processes associated with critical thinking and analytical reasoning, which represent important skills and competencies that underscore the effectiveness of practitioners within America?s legal and criminal justice system. While the concepts and principles of this course will be borrowed from formal logic, critical thinking, and a range of other disciplines, the application of these ideas are specific to the requirements of the LSAT and other standardized instruments required for graduate and law school admissions.

GOVT1000 Structure and function of American national government: roles of interest groups and political parties, voting behavior, powers of president, Congress, bureaucracy and federal judiciary, Fall, Spring.

GOVT2212 Development and principles of International law, nature of diplomatic relationship, international agreements, jurisdiction over persons and property, tariff and shipping relations, arbitration of disputes, operations of international institutions.

GOVT2254 This course is issue-orriented and focuses on substantive issues of public policy that significantly affect the life of every American.

GOVT3200 Development, Scope and role of judicial review; problems of federalism; civil rights and civil liberties.

GOVT3210 Analysis of Supreme Court decisions concerning speech, press, religion, rights of women, racial discrimination and affirmative action.