Course Descriptions
Legal Studies
LES 200
Legal Ethics
3 credits
This course is designed to expose students to the major ethical problems they may face as part of a legal team. The focus of the course is the ABA Model Code and the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. The course also addresses the role of non-lawyers in the delivery of legal services and the various professional codes of ethics which provide guidance to non-lawyers. Emphasis will be placed on related codes of civility, the attorney-client privilege and work product doctrine, proper handling of legal fees and client property, as well as the disciplinary process. This course is a legal specialty. (Please note: minimum passing grade needed is a ''C'')
Prerequisite(s): ENG 121
LES 205
State and Local Government
3 credits
This course surveys the complexity of the fifty state governments and numerous local governments in the United States. The issue of authority in the three forms of government found throughout the United States - unitary, confederate, and federal - is examined.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122
LES 206
U.S. Regulatory Compliance
3 credits
This course provides an introduction to American public law with emphasis on the growth of administrative and regulatory law since the 1930s. Topics will include the roles and relationships between the three constitutional branches of government and the quasi-fourth branch of government known as administrative agencies as well as the rulemaking, enforcement, and adjudicatory functions of agencies at the state and federal levels. Students will also gain exposure to reading and analyzing statutes and regulations including the APA. This course is a legal specialty.Prerequisite(s): ENG 121
LES 207
Global Financial Compliance
3 credits
This course provides an overview of the global regulatory landscape and issues arising cross borders, particularly with regard to the financial services industry. This course will also provide insight into the many opportunities available within the field of regulatory compliance. Emphasis is placed on the international regulatory environment, the role of regulators, application of laws and regulatory structure, the development and governance of the compliance function within organizations, risk management, ethical concerns, trends, and the conflicts presented when the laws and principles of multiple jurisdictions are in conflict.Prerequisite(s): ENG 121
LES 213
American Legal History
3 credits
This course examines the American legal system from the founding of the government of the United States of America to the system of laws that exists today. The main focus of the course is on laws and the courts and the tremendous impact of the rule of law that has developed during the last century.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122
LES 216
Environmental Compliance
3 credits
PRIOR TO FALL 2016, THIS COURSE WAS OFFERED AS LES 416
This course surveys the major federal statues related to environmental quality and analyzes various approaches to regulation. Primary focuses are on the interaction of law and policy and the roles of Congress, the regulatory agencies, and the courts in defining and implementing environmental mandates. In addition, toxic torts and environmental litigation will be discussed.Prerequisite(s): ENG 121
LES 217
Food and Drug Law and Policy
3 credits
Drugs are one of the most complex and controversial societal issues. As such, students should understand the context and foundational aspects of drug law, including the entire spectrum of topics: How do governments determine which drugs should be legal and which criminal? How do tobacco, alcohol and marijuana play into the equation? As to legal drugs, what regulations and culpability should be imposed for research-and-development, patents, side effects, sales, service and advertising? Similarly, public policy surrounding food, beverages and health supplements touches more lives on a micro level than perhaps any other area of law. In their academic careers, students should grapple with a fundamental question: Who decides what we eat and drink?
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122
LES 220
Introduction to Legal Studies
3 credits
This course provides an introduction to the study of law and the many opportunities available within the legal services industry. Emphasis is placed on the judicial system and its role within the state and federal governments, the importance of judicial opinions including how to read, understand, and summarize case law, an introduction to legal research and writing, and an overview of the ethical obligations, regulations, professional trends, and skills required of those working in this field. This course is a legal specialty. (Please note: minimum passing grade needed is a ''C'').
Prerequisite(s): ENG 121
LES 225
Legal Research
3 credits
PRIOR TO FALL 2016, THIS COURSE WAS OFFERED AS LES 314
This course provides students with hands-on training in the use of both primary and secondary legal sources, including: reported court decisions, constitutions, statutes, administrative regulations, court rules, treatises, legal encyclopedias, and legal periodicals. Various legal finding tools such as digests, citators, annotated statutes, legal dictionaries, and form-books are also discussed. Students will also receive training in computer-assisted legal research and proper Bluebook citation format. This course is a legal specialty. (Please note: minimum passing grade needed is a ''C'')
Prerequisite(s): LES 220
LES 226
Legal Writing
3 credits
PRIOR TO FALL 2016, THIS COURSE WAS OFFERED AS LES 316
This course provides students with an introduction to case analysis and the fundamentals of legal writing. Students learn how to analyze legal opinions for use as legal precedent. Students also learn how to distinguish various legal opinions and draft persuasive arguments. Emphasis is placed on the identification of key facts, issues, holdings, and reasoning in a legal opinion. Further instruction in proper Bluebook citation format will be provided, as well as how to prepare client correspondence, legal briefs, and memorandums of law. This course is a legal specialty. (Please note: minimum passing grade needed is a ''C'')Prerequisite(s): LES 220, LES 225, and ENG 122
LES 228
Civil Procedure
3 credits
PRIOR TO FALL 2016, THIS COURSE WAS OFFERED AS LES 403
This course examines the theoretical and practical aspects of basic civil litigation including preliminary investigation, pleadings, motions, discovery, trials, and appeals. Emphasis will be placed on the requirements and restrictions of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure which apply throughout the United States. (Please note: minimum passing grade needed is a ''C''). This course is a legal specialty.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122 and LES 225
LES 302
Business Organizations
3 credits
PRIOR TO FALL 2016, THIS COURSE WAS OFFERED AS LES 402
This course provides a comprehensive overview of the formation of legal entities. Main topics include the legal procedures essential to the creation and structuring of various entities, including sole proprietorship, corporations, trusts, and limited liability corporations. Students will also receive instruction in the preparation of documents necessary to the legal organization and the operation of each type of entity. This course is a legal specialty.Prerequisite(s): LES 226
LES 304
Constitutional Law
3 credits
This course examines the United States Constitution and its broad framework. Specific topics of review include the powers of each branch of government, judicial review of Congressional enactments, separation of powers, the relationship between the federal government and the states, the limitations of the federal government’s interference with private transactions, and the concept of state action which underpins all the limitations on the governmental power of the Constitution. The course also explores individual rights under each of the amendments.
Prerequisite(s): LES 226
LES 306
Family Law
3 credits
PRIOR TO FALL 2016, THIS COURSE WAS OFFERED AS LES 406
This course introduces students to the procedural and substantive law affecting the family and domestic relations. The law affecting prenuptial agreements, separation, divorce, annulments, spousal support, alimony, spousal abuse, custody, child support, and adoption is also discussed. Emphasis is placed on the preparation of relevant legal documents and procedures for various court filings.Prerequisite(s): ENG 122 and LES 225
LES 309
Bankruptcy
3 credits
PRIOR TO FALL 2016, THIS COURSE WAS OFFERED AS LES 409
This course introduces the relevant rules and procedures involved in the presentation of a petition for bankruptcy of an individual or a company, from consumer Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 petitions to an overview of the complexities of Chapter 11 business bankruptcies. This course is a legal specialty.Prerequisite(s): LES 226
LES 311
Estates, Trusts, and Probates
3 credits
PRIOR TO FALL 2016, THIS COURSE WAS OFFERED AS LES 411
This course discusses the law of testamentary disposition, the common instruments used in testamentary dispositions, and the formalities for validity, construction, and interpretation of wills, trusts, and other post-death transfer devices. Emphasis will be placed on the probate process, estate administration, and federal and state tax concerns.Prerequisite(s): ENG 122 and LES 225
LES 317
Contracts
3 credits
This course provides students with both the theory behind contract formation as well as the skills in drafting, reviewing, analyzing, and revising contracts. Instruction includes interesting and significant court cases for discussion while emphasizing a practical approach to understanding contracts. Emphasis is placed on all major areas of contract law, including offer, acceptance, consideration, statute of frauds, third-party beneficiaries, performance, breach of contract, and damages. This course is a legal specialty.
Prerequisite(s): LES 226
LES 321
Real Estate, Transfer, and Ownership Law
3 credits
PRIOR TO FALL 2016, THIS COURSE WAS OFFERED AS LES 410
This course provides a comprehensive survey of the modern real estate property transaction, covering the drafting of basic documents involved in transfer of land such as deeds, mortgages, sales agreements and options and a review of federal and state regulation of land transfer. Emphasis is placed on ownership rights, survey and land descriptions, encumbrances, easements and licenses, financing, title examinations, real estate closings and leases. This course is a legal specialty.Prerequisite(s): LES 226
LES 323
Law & Practice in Human Services
3 credits
This course examines how the law impacts the delivery of human services in both direct ways through the civil and criminal court system and indirectly through the laws and regulations that define the rules, responsibilities, and entitlements of clients receiving support services. Topics will include child welfare, guardianships, involuntary commitments, competence, and civil rights. Special attention will also be given to the varying ethical duties and professional values within the human services and legal professions.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122
LES 327
Intellectual Property
3 credits
PRIOR TO FALL 2016, THIS COURSE WAS OFFERED AS LES 417
This course provides an overview of the classes of intellectual property, including U.S. patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets, with an emphasis on the process for securing intellectual property rights, ownership issues, and licensing of intellectual property, i.e., technology transfer.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122 and LES 225
LES 328
Personal Injury and Malpractice
3 credits
PRIOR TO FALL 2016, THIS COURSE WAS OFFERED AS LES 420
This course provides a comprehensive overview of civil wrongs. Students will learn the elements of negligence as applied in personal injury and malpractice actions. Also discussed will be intentional torts, strict liability, and affirmative defenses. This course is a legal specialty.
Prerequisite(s): LES 226
LES 330
Cyberlaw
3 credits
This course provides an overview of the legal doctrines and principles that apply to the operation and development of computer technology and the Internet. Topics include: issues related to jurisdiction, constitutional issues of free speech, property rights, e-business, and current developments in legislation and case law.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122
LES 331
Electronic Discovery
3 credits
This course looks at the structure and scope of system and records regulation in various industries, the process of discovery within the legal system and its likely impact on a systems administrator. Topics include: technologies for handling electronic discovery, computer forensics, identifying media types, and best practices for data collection.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122
LES 340
Topics in Legal Studies
3 credits
This course will explore, in depth, a substantive area and/or current event, including, the confluence of legislative enactments, judicial interpretation, and administrative regulations within a given topic.Prerequisite(s): ENG 122 and LES 220 and LES 225
LES 350
Interviewing & Investigating
3 credits
This course provides hands-on instruction in various methods of obtaining information from a variety of public and private sources and instructs students in the skill of gathering information from individuals through active listening, record keeping, proper questioning, and other essential interview techniques. This course is a legal specialty.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 122, LES 200 and LES 220
LES 390
Advanced Legal Writing
3 credits
This course will continue building and developing student competence in the area of legal writing. The primary goal is to enhance proficiency in legal analysis and expand the repertoire of documents that students are able to prepare within the legal genre to include more sophisticated and complex documents such as appellate briefs, multi-issue legal office memoranda, and memoranda in support of a motion. This course is a legal specialty.
Prerequisite(s): LES 226 and [LES 228 or Pre-Law Minor]
LES 405
Delaware Practice
3 credits
This course discusses various areas of substantive law as they are applied in Delaware. The jurisdiction of each court and their respective rules will also be covered: Justice of the Peace, Court of Common Pleas, Superior Court, Chancery Court, and Delaware Supreme Court. Students may be required to attend one or more court proceedings. This course is a legal specialty.
Prerequisite(s): LES 226 and LES 228
LES 430
Evidence
3 credits
This course is designed to provide the student with a working understanding of the federal and state Rules of Evidence. Students will gain an understanding of the function of rules of evidence, objections to be anticipated, and the preparation of a civil case for trial without the exclusion of evidence based on the application of those rules.
Prerequisite(s): LES 226 and LES 228
LES 440
Advanced Litigation Skills
3 credits
This course builds on prior coursework in civil practice, tort, legal writing, and law office technology. Students enrolled in this course will apply their knowledge in litigation practice and develop new skills in settlement negotiations, trial strategy, preparation of exhibits, and document management. Other topics covered will include alternative dispute resolution, motion practice, and post-trial appeals. This course is a legal specialty.
Prerequisite(s): ENG 131, LES 226, and LES 228
LES 490
Internship in Legal Studies
3 credits
This course consists of supervised, practical work experience in a law office, judicial office, nonprofit agency, or another entity which employs legal paraprofessionals.
Prerequisite(s): LES 226 and LES 228
LES 491
Capstone: Virtual Experience in Legal Studies
3 credits
This course provides students with a series of simulated, experiential learning environments which give students an interactive law office environment suitable for the development and refinement of competencies needed for the real-world legal workplace. The simulation modules are supplemented with exercises and instruction geared toward preparing students for the transition from the academic environment to the workplace. This course is a legal specialty.
Prerequisite(s): Senior status, LES 226 and LES 228
LES 492
Internship in Legal Studies
0 credits
This course consists of supervised, practical work experience in a law office, judicial office, nonprofit agency, or another entity which employs legal paraprofessionals.Prerequisite(s): LES 490