First year law students typically register for classes in May and select a section of prescribed courses set forth by the American Bar Association (ABA) for all first year law students in the country. First year students take Civil Procedure, Contracts and Legal Research and Writing both semesters of their first year. An example of a full time, first year student's schedule might be as follows.
First Semester:
-Civil Procedure I, Contracts I, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Legal Research and Writing
Second Semester:
-Civil Procedure II, Contracts II, Legal Research and Writing, Property, Torts I
First year, part time students have a slightly modified schedule, as they take a reduced course load. An example of a first year, part time schedule can be found here.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Civil Procedure I and II
3 Credits each
Focuses on the civil judicial process and dispute resolution. It includes a study of the constitutional and legislative grants of authority to the state and federal judicial systems, including questions of personal jurisdiction, subject matter jurisdiction, and venue. Studies each stage of the civil lawsuit including pleadings, motions, discovery, trial, post trial motions, appeals, and finality of judgments. In addition, examines alternatives to the litigation process including mediation and arbitration and the role of negotiation in resolving clients' problems.
Constitutional Law I
3 Credits
Introduces constitutional interpretation, including doctrines and competing philosophies, and the framework of state and federal government under the Constitution. It includes the historical background of the drafting and interpretation of the Constitution, the development of the Supreme Court as an institution, the powers of the three branches of the federal government and of the states, and the structure of the Constitution, all as interpreted by the Supreme Court.
Contracts I and II
3 Credits each
Studies the enforceability of promises. Focuses on the common law of contracts including creation, performance and breach of contractual obligations, remedies available for breach of contract, and the impact of contract on the legal status of non parties. Modern statutory regulation of contract (the Uniform Commercial Code, Article 2) is also examined in detail.
Criminal Law I
3 Credits
Examines the functions of the criminal law as a means of social control, focusing on the process of crime creation and the elements of criminal liability the criminal act, the criminal state of mind, and the absence of a defense of justification or excuse. Legislative definition and grading of offenses, and policy considerations relevant to those processes are studied in the context of the Model Penal Code and other penal statutes.
Legal Research and Writing I and II
2 Credits each
Teaches basic legal research, citation, and the drafting of legal memoranda. Weekly class meetings are supplemented by small group library research sessions and tutorial guidance in the preparation of memoranda, letters, and briefs.
Property
3 Credits
Study of the concept of real and personal property in our legal system. Real property is emphasized, with the primary focus on estates in land from an historical and modern perspective. Future interests and landlord tenant problems are considered.
Torts I
3 Credits
Focuses on civil actions for injury to person, property, or intangible interest on claims of intentional wrongs, negligence, or strict liability. Torts I is a vehicle to teach development of the common law.