An introduction to the meaning and functions of law, the powers and the jurisdiction of the courts. An exploration of traditional and evolving areas of law. A survey of the different professions and career options within the legal field. An assessment of the roles and importance of law in the lives of students and the public. Students may take LAWS 200 or JURI 210 but not both courses. Students in the Jurisprudence major should take JURI 210. Meets SEEDS Political and Civic Life Learning Outcome and Educated Citizenry Value. Meets Gen-Ed 2002 Social Science Perspectives requirement.
A study of conflict, its management and resolution. Exploration of conflict management skills negotiation and mediation. Considerations of culture, gender, race, and age in resolving conflicts. Current developments and practical applications such as peer mediation, negotiation in the workplace, and dispute resolution in the court system. Students may take LAWS 220 or PALG 308, but not both courses. Students in the Paralegal Minor should take PALG 308. Meets Gen Ed - Social Science Perspectives. Meets World Cultures Requirement.
Prerequisite(s): JURI 210 or LAWS 200 or POLS 101 or departmental approval. Study of principles and methods of research as applied to law and government. Exploration of the sources of law including case law, legislative process and intent, statutory law and public administration. Contrastive applications of law library research and computer-assisted legal research.
Prerequisite(s): LAWS 302. Application of legal research, method, and analysis to legal writing. Students are required to perform various kinds of legal writing assignments and to demonstrate ability to identify legal problems, analyze them based upon the related law and theory, and solve problems with resulting written work product. Utilization of computer-assisted legal research. Meets the Graduation Writing Requirement for majors in Jurisprudence, Law & Society.
Prerequisite(s): Departmental approval. Guided study of a particular area of law arranged individually between student and professor. The topic may be a more advanced treatment of a regularly offered course or the exploration of a timely and significant area of law. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6 credits.
Prerequisite(s): LAWS 302 and LAWS 362. Refinement of principles and methods of legal research in working with statutes, case law, and other legal sources. Application of legal research techniques to practical legal problems. Preparation of more complex legal research projects. Utilization of computer-assisted legal research.
Prerequisite(s): JURI 210 or LAWS 200 or departmental approval. This course examines the "Law and Literature" movement, an area of study developed within the legal field over the past several decades. The course is devoted to a thematic exploration and examination of the application of the concepts of law and literature and underscores areas of mutual illumination of the two vast bodies of text: legal opinions and works of literature.
Prerequisite(s): LAWS 302 with a grade of B or higher; and LAWS 200 or JURI 210. Restriction(s): Open only to juniors and seniors. Field work experience in the legal setting to provide pre-law students who have acquired basic skills through introductory courses with the opportunity to utilize those skills and further explore the field of law. Required classroom seminar supplements experiential component and includes discussion of field work experience and ethical considerations.
Prerequisite(s): Vary according to the topic offered. Exploration of a timely and significant area of law. The specific topic will be announced each time that the course is offered. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6 credits.
This course provides the theoretical basis and appropriate applications of law within the United States legal system in the context of its foundations, processes and norms. Integrating readings from legal theorists, scholars and jurists, the course presents the full range of legal perspectives and processes in order to understand methodologies for resolving legal problems within the evolving United States system of law.
Presentation of theory and methods of intellectual inquiry and research. Advanced study of legal research methodology and legal analysis which includes preparation of scholarly legal research papers.
Study of legislative and administrative processes including the creation, application and interpretation of statutory and administrative law. Required research includes use of primary and secondary legislative and administrative law materials as well as legislative history.
Examination of ethical and professional issues as they relate to the legal environment. Exploration of different viewpoints and conflicting views. Interrelationships with rules of professional responsibility analyzed and discussed through hypothetical and real ethical dilemmas.
Study of aspects of contract and tort law and their interaction in contemporary business practices, examined in the context of an ever-changing society. Application of common law principles and contract and tort as well as the Uniform Commercial Code. Judicial and legislative roles and reactions to change in the context of the public good and business interests.
To acquaint students with procedural and substantive principles of Jurisprudence as it is developed in American Law. The course will chart the development of basic legal and philosophical principles governing the theory of law through its cultural and constitutional roots through the early 21st century. Special attention will be given to analysis of legal realism and feminist jurisprudence.
A critical analysis of the body of law which regulates government agencies and their relations with the public. Examination of federal and state administrative law, regulations, rules and procedures.
This course provides students with theoretical foundations and practical applications of entertainment law. The course utilizes a model and method approach, which presents theory and procedure in a case problem context. The course acquaints students with various traditional legal theories and compares and contrasts them with law as it has evolved to meet new changes in society. Areas to be covered include representing minors, contract preparation, copyright infringement, publishing, the record industry, film, and television.
Comprehensive study of procedural and substantive aspects of trademark selection, registration, use, and protection within the context of intellectual property.
To acquaint students with procedural and substantive principles of Internet technology and legal principles which are at the nexus of modern legal practice. To become versed in the theory and practice of intellectual property, criminal law, jurisdictional issues and choice of law relating to commerce, law enforcement, and legal procedure. To teach students to analyze and synthesize legal principles which are at the core of changing World Wide Web technology.
To acquaint students with procedural and substantive principles of Intellectual Property Law as it is developed and is practiced in the entertainment field. The course will chart the development of intellectual property in American law from its constitutional roots through the early 21st century. Special attention will be given to analysis of issues in entertainment law involving copyright, licensing, and advertising.
Theoretical foundations and practical applications of law office management and technology. Hands-on and theoretical problems dealing with work product, human resources, and workflow in assembly, case management, database management, human resource management, and technological interfaces with traditional processes.
In-depth study of negotiation theories and practical applications. Includes an examination and comparison of various negotiation theories and critical skills needed to be an effective negotiator. Extensive role plays. Study of ethical and policy issues.
In-depth examination of the theory and practical applications of mediation. Integration of ethical and policy issues and applications through role plays. Study of how the various applications affect the mediation process and the court's role in the development of mediation.
In-depth examination of the theory and applications of arbitration and other adjudicative processes. Utilization of role plays to expand student knowledge and ability to understand increasingly complex issues. Examination of policy and ethical issues and exploration of case law research.
Comprehensive study of the theory and application of interpersonal conflict management theories and processes between and among individuals, students, organizations, and groups of similar status in a variety of governmental, domestic, and international settings.
Critical study of procedural and substantive legal principles of dispute resolution in the workplace. Exploration of procedures such as negotiation, mediation, arbitration, fact finding, and grievance resolution through collective bargaining which is the core of dispute resolution in both private and public sector employment. LAWS 551 is recommended as a prerequisite.
To acquaint students with the various types, applications, and procedures of financial management in the legal environment. To explore the various financial, timekeeping, and accounting controls which are at the core of the law office efficiency. To become knowledgeable about various state Rules of Professional Conduct as they affect legal practice. To teach students to manage accounts receivable, financial ledgers, disbursements, and various required journals manually and using computer software.
This course will provide students with the theoretical foundations and applications of five areas from the Conflict Management field: Diversity; Prevention of Sexual Harassment; Support of Gender Equity; Teaching Character Education; and Organizational Mechanisms. These interconnected areas are being implemented in various settings in order to create a safe environment, avoid legal liability, and increase organizational efficiency.
This course will provide students with the theory of bullying prevention in various settings. Students will critically analyze situations targeted to support bullying prevention, study state laws regarding bullying prevention and harassment, and enhance the connections with conflict management and related fields.
Study of theoretical aspects of information theory in the legal environment with application to the problem method of analysis. This course will examine the compilation and analysis of legal information from automated litigation support through computer-assisted legal research.
To acquaint students with procedural and substantive principles of Human Rights Law in the international arena. The course will chart the development of Human Rights Law in various cultures from the Judaic and Greek eras through the enlightenment to the 20th century. Special attention will be given to analysis of disputes involving native populations and minority rights as they are affected by the United Nations Charter, Treaties, and Conventions. Issues of criminal, commercial and individual rights will be considered.
To acquaint students with procedural and substantive principles of International Law as it has developed and is practiced under the United Nations Charter, Conventions, Accords, Protocols, and Agreements. The course will chart the development of International Law from its roots in early legal and cultural traditions through the early 21st century. Special attention will be given to analysis of issues of international compliance and regulatory issues.
In-depth study of procedural and substantive legal principles of human resource management. Exploration of the various procedures which can and should shape the work environment in both private and public employment.
In-depth study of federal and state requirements of compliance with public regulations in the areas of labor, employment, employee benefits, affirmative action, equal pay, and other federal and state mandated policies. Exploration of the interplay of various statutory and common law requirements governing private organizations which function in the United States.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum of LAWS 500 and LAWS 503, and 18 additional credits toward the MA. Application of academic theories to field experience of 120 hours over a semester in a legal environment reflective of the student's course of study. Research of issues related to placement and/or ethical issues.
Prerequisite(s): Completion of a minimum of LAWS 500 and LAWS 503, and 18 additional credits toward the MA degree, and departmental approval. Application of academic theories to compensated field experience of 20 hours per week in a legal environment reflective of the student's course of study. Research of issues related to placement and/or ethical issues.
To allow students and faculty to create courses of study within the discipline which more precisely reflect students' needs and to supplement concentration courses with other courses which more fully educate students to their specific educational needs. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.
The goal of this course is to provide students with the theoretical foundations and practical applications of Environmental Law. The course will utilize a model and method approach, which will present theory and procedure in a case problem context. The course will acquaint students with various traditional legal theories and compare and contrast them with law as it has evolved to meet new changes in society.
Examination of a current topic in the legal environment that is of significance. Analysis of theoretical foundations and practical applications in the area studied. Development of the ability to critically analyze, observe, and research the topic under examination, as well as prepare a research paper. May be repeated once for a maximum of 6 credits.
Prerequisite(s): Departmental approval. Independent research project done under faculty advisement. Students must follow the MSU Thesis Guidelines, which may be obtained from the Graduate School. Students should take LAWS 699 if they don't complete LAWS 698 within the semester.
Prerequisite(s): LAWS 698. Continuation of Master's Thesis Project. Thesis Extension will be graded as IP (in Progress) until thesis is completed, at which time a grade of Pass or Fail will be given.