Course Listing

LW 101 Introduction to Law and Litigation 3
This course is designed to introduce the student to the paralegal and legal professions as well as to basic areas of the law. Students will explore the ethical responsibilities of paralegals and attorneys, court structure in the United States, and sources of American law. Students will be introduced to contract, tort, criminal, property, estate, and administrative law. Trial procedures for both criminal and civil court will also be explored.

LW 102 Introduction to Legal Research 3
This course will explore the most common sources of legal information and techniques for using them. The students will learn ways to find answers to legal questions in federal statutes, state statutes, state and federal caselaw, legal encyclopedias, legal digests, rules of court, constitutions, and on-line research databases. Students will also be introduced to reading the law and writing basic legal documents.

LW 104 Introduction to Criminal Law 3
An analysis of fundamental concepts of criminal law and procedure, with consideration of practical aspects of representing criminal defendants. Traces the criminal justice process from arrest through pre-trial, trial, sentencing and appeal. Topics include: analysis of crimes and defenses; arrest, search and seizure; pretrial motions; ethics. (This course may be taken as CR 210.)

LW 105 Civil Law 3
This course will explore the phases of a civil trial from the pre-trial stage, to the actual trial through post trial and appeal. Topics include court structure jurisdiction evidence, motion practice, discovery and alternative dispute resolution. Particular attention will be devoted to Pennsylvania civil procedure in addition to general principles of procedure. The student will gain both a theoretical and practical approach by not only studying rules which govern the civil case but also by drafting pleadings pertinent to such a case.

LW 202 Business Law I 3
This course will explore various areas of the law which impact the legal and business professional. Topics will include an introduction to the legal system and court structure of the United States as well as an overview of tort and criminal law. Significant attention will be given to the study of contract law. The requirements of valid contract formation as well as elements of breach and remedies will be addressed. The course consists of lecture and small group discussion which focus on application of principles discussed in class to solutions for actual legal cases. (This course may also be taken as BU 211.)

LW 204 Real Estate Law 3
A study of the substantive law and terminology of real property with the focus on giving the student an in-depth understanding of the process of conveying real property.

LW 209 Domestic Relations 3
This course will explore the many issues that make up the area of domestic relations law. Topics will include marriage, divorce, custody, support, marital settlement agreements, equitable distribution of property, prenuptial agreements, and protection from abuse proceedings. Some ancillary topics which impact these proceedings may also be addressed. Students will be exposed to practical information concerning pleadings, etc., in addition to the theoretical.

LW 210 Probate 3
This course is a systems approach to probate designed to prepare the paralegal to work effectively with an attorney in the probate of an estate.

LW 212 Business Law II 3
This course will explore various areas of the law which impact the legal and business professional. Topics will include the study of law as it relates to the sale of goods, title and risk of loss of goods, performance and breach of sales contracts, negotiable instruments, agency and partnership, labor law, employment law and corporation formation. The Uniform Commercial Code, specifically articles 2 and 3, will be discussed and its application to these topics will be studied. The course consists of lecture and small group discussions which focus on application of principles discussed in class to solutions for actual legal cases. (This course may also be taken as BU 212.)

LW 280 Legal Assistant Internship 3
This course is an actual off-campus experience in the legal field. Students may serve in an internship site which includes private law offices, government agencies, corporate law departments and judicial offices.