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LSLW 200 INTRODUCTION TO LAW
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. Meets Gen Ed 2002–Social Science, Social Science. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER)–Social Science, Survey Course.
LSLW 220 CONFLICT AND ITS RESOLUTION
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 LSLW 220 or LSPR 308 but, not both courses. Students in the Paralegal Studies minor should take LSPR 308. Meets Gen Ed 2002–Social Science, Social Science. Meets the 1983 General Education Requirement (GER)–Contemporary Issues. Meets the Multicultural Awareness Requirement.
LSLW 315 THE MEDIATION PROCESS AND ITS APPLICATIONS
Study of the mediation process and its evolution. Analysis of models and applications including: court-annexed, family, municipal court, community, peer, and victim offender mediation. Student participation in role plays, research, and observations of mediation process.
LSLW 324 LEGAL REASONING
Theoretical foundations for developing models and methods of addressing legal problems. Principles of legal reasoning and argument in the Anglo- American common law tradition. Models of legal reasoning and methodology for resolving legal problems as developed within evolving social and philosophical notions of justice and fairness. Pre-Law Studies Minor. Cross listed with Philosophy and Religion, PHIL 324.
LSLW 360 RIGHTS, LIBERTIES AND AMERICAN JUSTICE
An integrated approach to the study of individual rights, liberties, and American justice. The development of constitutional law in its social, political, and cultural contexts. The growth of the legal tradition and recent developments in relation to statutory law in shaping the principlesof American liberty.
LSLW 388 TRIAL TECHNIQUES AND STRATEGIES
Strategy, technique and psychology of trials conducted in seminar format is the focus of this class. Students learn trial procedure, rules of evidence and how to implement what they have learned by auditioning for attorney and witness roles, applying theory to an actual legal problem in conjunction with a mock trial, and competition. Students should be prepared to make a time commitment during winter break. Limited enrollment and open only to undergraduates.
LSLW 390 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN LAW
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.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval.
LSLW 391 WOMEN AND THE LAW
Introduction to and evaluation of the changing patterns of gender-based laws in the United States in terms of the preferences they reflect and the rationales used to justify them. Emphasis on issues which impact upon women’s rights, relevant case law which impacts upon the roles and rights of women, and legislation.
LSLW 400 HOSPITALITY LAW
The goal of this course is to introduce students to the laws and regulations applicable to the ownership and operation of hospitality businesses. It will focus on the legal fundamentals for the hospitality industry with specific emphasis on tort, contract, labor, criminal and labor law. Cross listed with Health Professions, Physical Education, Recreation and Leisure Studies, HOSP 400.
LSLW 473 SEMINAR IN LAW AND LITERATURE
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.
LSLW 497 PRE-LAW SEMINAR AND INTERNSHIP
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.
Prerequisites: LSLW 200 and LSPR 312 and LSPR 362; a minimum grade of C- is required in LSPR 312 and LSPR 362; open to juniors and seniors only.
LSLW 498 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION: PRE-LAW STUDIES 4.0-8.0
Academic study integrated with paid employment in the legal setting to provide Pre-Law students who have acquired basic legal 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.
Prerequisites: LSLW 200 and LSPR 312 and LSPR 362; a minimum grade of C- is required in LSPR 312 and LSPR 362; open only to juniors and seniors.
LSLW 499 SELECTED TOPICS IN LAW
Exploration of a timely and significant area of law. The specific topic will be announced each time that the course is offered.
Prerequisites: Vary according to the topic offered.
LSPA 290 LANGUAGE OF THE LAW
This course explores the interface between language and our legal system. Students study the history of legal language up to the present day. Topics to be covered include, among others, the impact of (il) literacy on the law, the linguistic ramifications of governing bilingual societies, the functions of written laws and legal language, and the social psychological impact of language use in modern-day litigation. Cross listed with Linguistics, LNGN 290.
LSPR 210 LAW AND LITIGATION
An introduction to the legal system with a focus on the New Jersey court system. Review of substantive areas of law and application of procedural concepts from initiation of a civil lawsuit through entry of judgment. The unique role and function of attorney and paralegal in the process of client interviewing, ethical considerations, investigation and preparation for trial. Drafting of pleadings and other documents used in litigation and trial.
Introduction to Law (LSLW 200) is a recommended prerequisite.
LSPR 301 CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE
Legal concepts of criminal law and their application to criminal procedure. Contrast between civil law and criminal law. Study of crimes against persons, property and the public. Searches and seizure, arrest and interrogation. Students may take LSPR 301 or POLS 321 but not both courses as part of the Paralegal minor, the Political Science major or the Criminal Justice minor.
LSPR 304 REAL ESTATE LAW
Principles of real estate law and transactions. Contracts, mortgages, surveys, title, RESPA. Conveyances of real property from the standpoint of seller and purchaser. Landlord-tenant relations. Forms and documents utilized by paralegals in real estate law.
LSPR 305 IMMIGRATION LAW
Basic overview of Immigration and Nationality Act, including historical and sociological perspectives of United States immigration. Practice and procedure of immigration law as it pertains to both administrative agency processing and consular processing. Non-immigrant visas, family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, naturalization, removal, asylum and refugee practice. Recent developments in this continually evolving area of law and practice.
LSPR 306 CONTRACT LAW
Theoretical foundations and practical applications of contract law in the common law tradition as modified by the Uniform Commercial Code. Drafting of contracts.
LSPR 308 NEGOTIATION, MEDIATION AND ARBITRATION
An in-depth study of complementary forms of dispute resolution as compared and contrasted with the traditional judicial system. Students study the theoretical background and receive training in mediation, negotiation and arbitration. Students may take LSLW 220 or LSPR 308 but not both courses. Students in the Paralegal Studies program should take LSPR 308.
LSPR 310 FUNDAMENTALS OF PATENT, TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT LAW
Substantive principles of patent, trademark and copyright law including categories and standards of patentability, categories of trademarks and categories of copyrightable subject matter. Assignment and licensing of such proprietary rights. Litigation involving acts of infringement including related areas of anti-trust law and unfair competition.
LSPR 312 FOUNDATION OF LEGAL RESEARCH
Study of principles, methods and applications of legal research. Exploration of sources of law including case law, statutory law, and administrative regulations. The use of a law library. Familiarization with computer-assisted legal research. Cross listed with Justice Studies, JUST 312.
Prerequisite: Not open to freshmen.
LSPR 316 SKILLS FOR BILINGUAL LEGAL PERSONNEL
Translating, interpreting and cultural fluency as applied to the legal field and in particular to the role of bilingual paralegals.
Prerequisite: Fluency in Spanish required.
LSPR 317 EVIDENCE
An examination of the basic principles and rules governing trial advocacy in federal and state (New Jersey) cases. Areas to be examined include: the hearsay rule and its exceptions, examination of witnesses (lay and expert); impeachment; privileges; real and demonstrative evidence, inference, judicial notice and presumptions.
LSPR 318 COMPUTER ASSISTED LEGAL RESEARCH
This course employs an integrated approach to the study of computer based legal research. Students will be required to locate various legal opinions, statutes, regulations, etc. in the context of real-world and hypothetical problems. Each course unit will be introduced by lecture followed by hands on application of research methods. Students will be responsible for preparing memoranda that contain the results of their legal research.
LSPR 320 BANKRUPTCY LAW
This course prepares paralegal students to assist attorneys representing debtors and creditors in bankruptcy matters. This course provides students with an initial overview of the historical context of bankruptcy, how it came to be included in the drafting of the Constitution and today affects every aspect of commercial life ranging from the individual to large corporations. Students will learn the theoretical underpinnings of the bankruptcy code and how those concepts translate to the actual filing of a bankruptcy petition for an individual to the purposes of large corporate reorganizations and their impact on the labor market as well as the economy in general. The student will, as a result of the nature of bankruptcy, be exposed to commercial consumer transactions and their impact, understanding of a broad range of terminologies and concepts relative to financial transactions leading to declaring bankruptcy and a general, but tangential, benefit of gaining an understanding of the business and legal world working in tandem.
LSPR 322 WILLS, TRUSTS AND PROBATE LAW
Basic concepts, practice, and procedures in wills, probate, and trusts. Includes will drafting, estate planning, probate procedures and estate administration. Forms and questionnaires utilized by paralegals in these areas.
LSPR 330 FAMILY LAW
Basic concepts of family law practice. Study of ceremonial and common-law marriage. Dissolution of marriage and annulment. Financial consequences, including alimony and property distribution. Child custody, adoption, illegitimacy, paternity, and surrogacy. Domestic violence. Familiarization with New Jersey procedures.
LSPR 331 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW & PROCEDURE
This course employs an integrated approach to the study of administrative law. Students will explore the importance of administrative agencies in the development and implementation of public policies as well as the pervasive ways in which agency actions affect the public.
LSPR 332 PERSONAL INJURY LAW
Legal concepts and terminology of personal injury law, both substantive and procedural. Negligence, medical malpractice, products liability. Drafting of pleadings and other documents utilized by paralegals in personal injury practice.
LSPR 336 CORPORATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS
Legal characteristics and tax aspects related to sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited partnerships and corporations. Formation, operation and dissolution of the corporate entity. Drafting of legal forms utilized by paralegals in these areas.
LSPR 339 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT
Applications of computer software and hardware in the legal environment. Legal applications of word processing, databases, and spreadsheets. Legal software for document generation, document management, financial management, time billing, time and document management, computer-assisted legal research and information management in the workflow process.
Prerequisites: Undergraduates must complete the Computer Science General Education Requirement before taking this course.
LSPR 362 LEGAL WRITING
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.
Prerequisite: LSPR 312.
LSPR 378 EMPLOYMENT LAW
The goal of this course is to provide students with the theoretical foundations and practical applications of employment law as it has developed and applied in the United States. 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 human resource and compliance processes in the modern legal environment. Processes such as policy creation and procedural application of modern employment law including wrongful discharge, whistleblower statutes, age discrimination, handicap discrimination, sex discrimination and harassment, race, and religion will be explored as well. Particular emphasis will be placed upon the use of ADR and CDR prior to disputes manifest before federal and state agencies.
LSPR 390 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN PARALEGAL STUDIES
Guided study of a particular area of Paralegal Studies 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 Paralegal Studies.
Prerequisite: Departmental approval.
LSPR 411 ADVANCED PATENT, TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT LAW
Procedural principles of patent, trademark and copyright law including prosecution of patent and trademark applications in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, preparation and filing of trademark applications and preparation of applications to register claims to copyright in the United States Copyright Office. Litigation procedures for acts of infringement relating to such proprietary rights.
Prerequisite: LSPR 310.
LSPR 412 CONSUMER LAW
This course provides students with the theoretical foundations and practical applications of Consumer 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 the contrasts them with law as it has evolved to meet new changes in society. Areas to be covered include compulsory disclosure information, consumer claims and defenses, abusive collective practice, state and federal regulation of the cost of credit and alternative dispute resolution.
LSPR 413 ELDER LAW
This course analyzes the legal, ethical, and social problems of the elderly, and provide a comprehensive overview of the most important laws affecting the elderly today. As more and more people fall into the category of “elderly,” the law and legal profession must become increasingly concerned with the legal needs of this ever-expanding segment of the population. Thus, an understanding of the laws that directly affect the elderly is imperative if legal professionals are to provide appropriate legal advice – to any client, as all clients will eventually fall into the category of the elderly. As a service learning course, students will also be provided with a context to observe, test and try out discipline-based concepts, skills and theories. Students will reflect on their service experiences in order provide an enhanced awareness of civic responsibility, service and advocacy from the perspective of the individuals, the community and society.
LSPR 420 ADVANCED CIVIL LITIGATION
Refinement of substantive and procedural principles relating to all stages of a civil law suit from commencement of suit through judgment and appeal as applied in New Jersey. Theoretical foundations and practical applications in the state court system contrasted with the federal court system.
Prerequisites: LSPR 210 and 312.
LSPR 437 ENTERTAINMENT LAW
The goal of this course is to provide students with the theoretical foundations and practical applications of entertainment 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 entertainment law as it has evolved to meet the changes in society. Areas to be covered include representing minors, contract preparation, copyright infringement, publishing, theatrical and musical performance, film and television.
LSPR 438 TRADEMARK LAW
Comprehensive study of procedural and substantive aspects of trademark selection, registration, use, and protection within the context of intellectual property.
LSPR 441 ADVANCED COMPUTER SYSTEMS IN THE LEGAL ENVIRONMENT
Applications and operation of computer systems, including hardware and software, designed specifically to assist in the practice of law or the management of law office and to provide students with a conceptual basis for evaluation, application and operation of other legal application and systems programs which may become available.
Prerequisites: LSPR 312 and 339.
LSPR 450 LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY
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
LSPR 460 ADVANCED LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING
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.
Prerequisites: LSPR 312 and 362.
LSPR 497 PARALEGAL SEMINAR AND INTERNSHIP
Field work experience of 90 hours in a private sector law office, corporation, bank or public sector agency. Required classroom seminar supplements experiential component and includes discussion of field work experience, ethical considerations and career options.
Prerequisites: LSPR 210 and 312 and 362; a minimum grade of C- is required in LSPR 312 and LSPR 362; 2 legal specialty courses; departmental approval.
Prerequisites or core requisites: 2 legal specialty courses selected from courses approved within the Paralegal Studies program or from the approved departmental list.
LSPR 498 COOPERATIVE EDUCATION: PARALEGAL STUDIES 4.0 or 8.0
Academic study integrated with supervised paid employment situation in the legal environment outside of the formal classroom setting. Part-time (20 hours per week) or full-time (40 hours per week). Required classroom seminar supplements experiential component and includes discussion of field work experience, ethical considerations and career options.
Prerequisites: LSPR 210 and 312 and 362; a minimum grade of C- is required in LSPR 312 and LSPR 362; 2 legal specialty courses; departmental approval.
Prerequisites or corequisites: 2 legal specialty courses selected from courses approved within the Paralegal Studies program or from the approved departmental list.
LSPR 499 SELECTED TOPICS IN PARALEGAL STUDIES
Exploration of a significant area of Paralegal Studies such as administrative law, bankruptcy, environmental law as well as new and evolving legal areas. The specific topic will be announced each time the course is offered.
JURI 199 FRESHMAN SEMINAR IN JURISPRUDENCE
The freshmen will learn the skills and techniques required to meet the challenges they will face during their course of study at Montclair State University. They will become acquainted with the goals and responsibilities needed to successfully obtain a degree from the university. In order to succeed in a university environment, freshmen need to be introduced to fundamental critical thinking skills essential to analytical reasoning. Students will be provided with the opportunity to develop skills in listening, talking, taking accurate notes, reading and analyzing problems. They will become acquainted with the technological tools available to them at MSU, including use of the Internet, how to perform computer-based literature searches, and how to find, utilize and evaluate on-line journals. One of the most important aspects of the Jurisprudence freshman seminar course is for our students to understand the importance of working together cooperatively. It is hoped that the group activities in this course will provide an introduction for our freshmen for learning and working in a diverse multi-cultural environment. 3 hours lecture.
JURI 200 INTRODUCTION TO JURISPRUDENCE
This core course within the Jurisprudence major provides a fundamental understanding of the principles, ideologies, and political movements that have shaped American law and procedure. It explores the evolution of the theory and scholarship of American law from its inception to the present. Through historical and contemporary readings and classroom discussion, students will consider the origin of law, the nature of social and political rights as well as the reciprocal effects of law and social institutions upon one another. Students will analyze legal opinions, statutes, treaties, conventions, regulations and essays in the context of issues such as capital punishment, euthanasia, abortion and civil rights. 3 hours lecture.
JURI 210 U.S. LEGAL PROCESS & SYSTEMS
This course provides the theoretical foundations and practical applications of United States legal process in the jurisprudential context. Integrating readings from legal theorists, scholars and jurists, the course introduces students to methodologies for resolving legal problems within the evolving United States system of law. Students may take LSLW 200 or JURI 210 but not both courses. Students in the Jurisprudence major should take JURI 210. 3 hours lecture.
JURI 316 THEORIES OF CONFLICT
This course provides students with central theories of conflict that have been used to analyze various types of conflicts; to evaluate the usefulness of these theories by applying them to specific case studies; and to encourage and assist students to develop their own perspectives and to construct useful theories for conflict analysis from interpersonal to international. The role of environment, culture and group dynamics on conflict will be studied. 3 hours lecture.
JURI 317 RACE & THE U.S. LEGAL SYSTEM
The course examines the use of the law both to perpetuate and eradicate racial injustice in the United States from the inception and rise of slavery during the colonial period through the racial desegregation decision on the United States Supreme Court in Brown vs. Board of Education in 1954 to the present. The goals of the course are to achieve an understanding of the role of law in its social context, and, to examine the use of law (especially litigation) as a mechanism for social change.
JURI 318 COMPARATIVE LEGAL SYSTEMS
To provide students with a broad understanding of the different legal systems [Civil Law (France, Germany), Common Law (England), Derivative Common Law (United States, Ireland, Canada, Australia), Islamic (Saudi Arabia), Socialist Legal Tradition (China, former USSR)] through the examination of their historical backgrounds, sources of law and legal institutions.
JURI 319 HATE CRIMES
The course examines issues relating to how and why people hate; what constitutes a hate crime; whether and how society should legislate against hate crime; and how tolerance can be promoted in an ever-diverse and complex world. Course topics may include a historical perspective on hate; psychological and sociological theories as to why people hate; hate crime laws; enforcement issues relating to hate crime laws; constitutional challenges to hate laws; international hate crime; and new frontiers in hate and hate crime.
JURI 390 INDEPENDENT STUDY
This course provides students and faculty with flexibility within the existing academic structure. Students and faculty may collaborate to create a course of study which either supplements existing courses or fills in gaps that either student or faculty perceive in a student's curriculum.
JURI 474 HUMAN RIGHTS LAW
An introductory study of the basic principles shaping Human Rights Law. Students will be required to analyze various legal opinions, statutes, treaties, conventions, and regulations in the context of real-world and hypothetical human rights issues. Traditional notions of Human Rights Law will be compared and contrasted with recent developments. In addition to the traditional methods of assessment, students will be responsible for preparing position papers in each phase of the class examining the jurisprudential issues related to this area of law. 3 hours lecture.
JURI 476 FEMINIST JURIPRUDENCE
Feminist jurisprudence is a philosophy of law based on the political, economic, and social equality of sexes. As a field of legal scholarship, feminist jurisprudence began in 1960 and now holds a significant place in U.S. law and legal thought influencing the issues of sexual and domestic violence, inequality in the workplace, and gender-based discrimination. 3 hours lecture.
JURI 495 SENIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR I
This is the first semester of a year-long capstone Senior Research Seminar. During this semester students are prepared to carry out a major research project on a Jurisprudence-related topic that is completed during the second semester of this course. This course familiarizes students with the methods used in contemporary research in the humanities and social sciences. It complements the student's prior exposure to legal research. 3 hours lecture.
Prerequisites: JURI 200, JURI 210, LSPR 312, LSPR 362 and four electives in categories A-E of the Jurisprudence major.
JURI 496 SENIOR RESEARCH SEMINAR II
This is the second semester of the year-long capstone Senior Research Seminar during which each student completes a major research project on a Jurisprudence-related topic and presents the project to the class. The work of this semester builds upon the preparatory study of research methodologies, topic selection, and literature review carried out in the first part of the year-long course. 3 hours lecture.
Prerequisites: JURI 200, JURI 210, JURI 495, LSPR 312, LSPR 362 and five electives in categories A-E of the Jurisprudence major.
JURI 499 SELECTED TOPICS IN JURISPRUDENCE
This course explores aspects of Jurisprudence not covered in the curriculum or deserves more in-depth treatment than that in an existing course. The specific topic will be announced each time the course is offered. May be repeated once for a total of six semester hours. 3 hours lecture.
