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PLG-100 Intro to Legal Practice

This course will introduce students to the organization and operation of the legal system and fundamental legal concepts. The course gives an overview of legal ethics, the court system, constitutional law, civil litigation, contracts, criminal law, tort law, and business organizations.

Credits

3

Corequisite

ENG-101 and successful completion of all remedial courses.

Department

  • Business

Semesters Course Will Be Offered

  • Fall
  • Spring

Course Rotation Schedule

  • Fall: Online
  • Spring: Online
For more detailed course information view the Course Outline

PLG 100: Intro to Legal Practice

Department

Business

Course Description

This course will introduce students to the organization and operation of the legal system and fundamental legal concepts. The course gives an overview of legal ethics, the court system, constitutional law, civil litigation, contracts, criminal law, tort law, and business organizations.

Credit Hours

3

Contact Hours

Lecture3
Lab0
Other0

Grading Scheme

Letter

Semester(s) Course Will Be Offered

Fall, Spring

Corequisites

ENG-101 and successful completion of all remedial courses.

First Year Experience Course

Yes

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Explain the organization and operation of the legal system
  2. Identify very basic concepts of Constitutional law, contract law, criminal law, tort law and the law of business organizations
  3. Describe the types of law practices and other legal employers
  4. Explain the NYS Model Code of Ethics and how to implement it in their practice

Topic Outline

  1. 1. Overview of the American legal system
  2.     a. Sources of law
  3.     b. Classifications of law
  4.     c. Introduction to jurisdiction and venue
  5.     d. The court system
  6.         i. New York
  7.         ii. Federal
  8.     e. Dispute resolution
  9. 2. What is a paralegal?
  10.     a. Development of the profession
  11.     b. Career opportunities
  12.     c. Workings of a law office
  13. 3. Legal ethics and responsibility
  14.     a. Attorney and paralegal ethical rules in general
  15.     b. Confidentiality
  16.     c. Conflict of interest
  17.     d. Money matters
  18.     e. Competency
  19.     f. Unauthorized practice of law
  20. 4. Constitutional law
  21.     a. Judicial review
  22.     b. Key constitutional provisions
  23.         i. Establishing the federal government
  24.         ii. Commerce Clause
  25.         iii. Full Faith and Credit Clause
  26.         iv. Privileges and Immunities Clause
  27.         v. Supremacy Clause
  28.     c. The Bill of Rights
  29.         i. Religion: the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses
  30.         ii. Freedom of speech and the press
  31.         iii. Protection in criminal cases
  32.     d. Due process
  33.     e. Equal protection
  34. 5. Torts
  35.     a. Intentional torts
  36.     b. Negligence
  37.         i. Elements
  38.         ii. Defenses
  39.     c. Strict liability and products liability
  40. 6. Contracts
  41.     a. Elements
  42.     b. Defenses
  43.     c. Performance and remedies for breach
  44.     d. Electronic contracting
  45. 7. Criminal law
  46.     a. Differences from civil law
  47.     b. Types of crimes
  48.     c. Criminal procedure
  49. 8. Business organizations and employment
  50.     a. Forms of business organization
  51.     b. Agency law
  52.     c. Employment law