Legal Studies Graduate Course Listings

LEAN 5010 Introduction to the American Legal System (3)

This requisite course provides a historical background into the American legal system with emphasis on legal structure and organization. The course content will focus on an overview of substantive areas, such as criminal law, administrative law, torts, contracts, and the like.

LEAN 5260 Methods of Legal Research and Writing I (3)

This course is designed to develop the student's research and writing skills, including legal citations. Methods of Legal Research and Writing I introduces the student to the skills necessary for identifying, locating, and using legal resources, including: primary sources of statutory and case law; secondary authority; and research reference tools commonly located in a law library which are used to navigate the primary and secondary sources. In addition, the students will be introduced to the process of computer-aided legal research. This class also explores the process of legal analysis through the incorporation of the results of legal research into legal argument and legal memoranda. Prerequisite: LEAN 5010 or LEGL 5000.

LEAN 5270 Methods of Legal Research and Writing II (3)

This course is a continuation of LEAN 5260. Methods of Legal Research and Writing II is designed to build upon the research skills learned in Methods of Legal Research and Writing I and to enhance the student's legal analytical and writing skills. The course includes several legal issue writing projects, at least two of which will combine both research and writing skills. Prerequisite: LEAN 5260.

LEAN 5510 Computers in the Law (3)

This course provides direct exposure to the principal law-related computer applications including: litigation support (full text and content-coded), word processing, time and billing, docket control, and conflict of interest. Prerequisites: LEAN 5010 and LEAN 5260.

LEAN 5520 Law on the Net (3)

Students will be introduced to the information highway through the use of emerging technology. Particular emphasis will be placed on accessing resources of interest to legal researchers through the Internet. Prerequisites: LEAN 5010 and LEAN 5260.

LEAN 5610 Legal Aspects of Human Resources Management (3)

This course provides an overview of legal issues affecting human resources management. It focuses on the dynamic impact federal and state law exert on organizations with regard to employment issues, including labor relations, employment discrimination, wages and hours, and workers' compensation. The course emphasizes some of the legal problems associated with the management of human resources and the legal impact of human resources decisions.

LEAN 5620 Applied Legal Decision Making (3)

This course is designed to help the student understand the decision-making process as it relates to legal issues. Students will focus on identifying legal issues, discerning the applicable law, applying the pertinent facts, and engaging in escalating degrees of legal analysis. Students will apply these skills to a variety of topics, including the formation, continuation, and termination of business entities, potential personnel problems, contractual relationships, and the fiduciary duties inherent to professional positions.

LEAN 5630 Legal Aspects of Intercultural Management (3)

Students examine the cultural aspects of managing businesses and other entities within the United States and in other countries. Among the topics students will examine is the impact of culture, ethnicity, gender, and other factors on the legal management of a U.S. entity, the conflict of laws in international management, and trends affecting national and international law pertaining to management.

LEAN 5640 Legal Aspects of Managing Technology (3)

Students examine the implications of managing technology and the products of technology, including e-mail, wireless telephones, surveillance, employee records, and employee tracking devices. Civil law, criminal law, regulations, and ethical rules will be studied.

LEAN 6000 Integrated Law Project (3)

The student is expected to apply the legal principles learned in this program, along with current research to produce a project with theoretical and/or practical application to typical legal issues relative to the legal environment in which the student functions or plans to function. Prerequisite: completion of all other required courses in this major.

LEGL 5000 Introduction to Legal Studies (3)

This course provides a background in the American legal system with emphasis on ethics, terminology, and legal analysis. Course content focuses on an overview of substantive areas such as torts, contracts, property, and criminal law.

LEGL 5100 Jurisprudence (3)

Students analyze major philosophies of law, including methods of justifying legal systems through natural law, legal positivism, and sociological jurisprudence. Contemporary writings on modern philosophies of law are also examined. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

LEGL 5260 Methods of Legal Research and Writing I (3)

This course is the first in a two-part writing program which is designed to develop the legal assistant’s research and writing skills, including legal citations. Methods of Legal Research and Writing I introduces the student to the skills necessary for identifying, locating, and using legal resources, including: primary sources of statutory and case law; secondary authority; and research reference tools commonly located in a law library which are used to navigate the primary and secondary sources. In addition, the students will be introduced to the process of computer-aided legal research. This class also explores the process of legal analysis through the incorporation of the results of legal research into legal argument and legal memoranda. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

LEGL 5270 Methods of Legal Research and Writing II (3)

This course is a continuation of LEGL 5260. Methods of Legal Research and Writing II is designed to build upon the research skills learned in Methods of Legal Research and Writing I and to enhance the paralegal student’s legal analytical and writing skills. The course includes several legal issue writing projects, at least two of which will combine both research and writing skills. Prerequisite: LEGL 5260.

LEGL 5300 Ethics for the Legal Professional (3)

This course will focus on the ethical and professional responsibilities facing legal professionals. We will examine ethical considerations such as confidentiality, unauthorized practice of law, and conflict of interest, as well as the consequences of unethical behavior. In addition, students will be provided with frameworks for dealing with the moral dilemmas that legal professionals face. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

LEGL 5400 Anglo-American Legal History (3)

The student examines the history and development of the Anglo-American common law. Special topics include sources; procedural and substantive developments; and the roles of courts, lawyers, legislatures, and jurists. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

LEGL 5450 American Constitutional Law (3)

Students study legal constitutional principles. Emphasis is on access to the courts, growth of federal power under the commerce clause, due process and equal protection, and case law methodology. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

LEGL 5470 Civil Actions (3)

Course content focuses on a variety of civil law areas such as contracts, torts, evidence, property, corporations, tax, wills, and trusts. Students examine actions based on these areas of law. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

LEGL 5480 Criminal Actions (3)

Students investigate the area of crime against persons and property and the judicial process, including investigation, adjudication, sentencing, and correction. Actions based on these areas of law are examined. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

LEGL 5490 Advanced Topics in Law (3)

Current and significant issues in legal studies are examined. Course content focuses on selected topics, with emphasis given to new and emerging developments in the field. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs. Prerequisites: LEGL 5000 and LEGL 5260.

LEGL 5500 Professional Seminars (1-3)

Students participate in seminars designed to examine contemporary issues in legal studies. The professional seminar supplements the core and elective courses in the area of legal studies by focusing on issues of current and special interest. Course may be repeated for credit if content differs. Graduate students may apply a maximum of 3 credit hours of these seminars as electives to meet the credit-hour requirements for graduation. This course may not be completed by directed study. Prerequisites: LEGL 5000 and LEGL 5260.

LEGL 5550 Paralegal Clinical Studies (3-6)

The internship augments the legal studies curriculum by placing the student in a private or public organization under the supervision of an appointed internship supervisor. Application for placement should be made a term in advance of enrollment. Prerequisite: completion of all other required courses in this major.

PATA 5740 Ownership, Licensing, and Transfer of Intellectual Property (3)

This is a practical skills course covering the basics of contract formation and drafting. This course will cover the preparation and interpretation of agreements affecting the ownership, licensing, and transfer of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000 and PATA 5900.

LEGL 5800 Computerized Legal Research (3)

This course will acquaint students with the fundamental concepts of locating and accessing legal information using computer technology. Prerequisites: LEGL 5000 and LEGL 5260.

LEGL 5850 Advanced Legal Writing (3)

This course is aimed at helping students attain a higher level of legal writing skills by focusing on the intellectual and physical discipline involved in creating a good written legal product. The course teaches students vital reasoning skills along with detailed instruction on the strategies students may use to write clearly and convincingly. Prerequisites: LEGL 5000, LEGL 5260, and LEGL 5270.

LEGL 5905 Intellectual Property Law for Paralegals (3)

This course is a survey of the four primary areas of intellectual property — patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. This course will focus on the paralegal’s role in securing and enforcing these rights. The content of this course is appropriate as a general overview for non-specialists, and a foundation course for those who intend to specialize in intellectual property. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

LEGL 5925 Patent and Trademark Law for Paralegals (3)

This is a substantive law course covering the federal patent statute (35 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), the federal trademark statute (15 U.S.C. 1051 et seq.), and representative state trademark statutes. This course will follow the process of patenting inventions from prior art searching, preparing and filing patent applications, prosecuting patent applications, and post issuance topics. Additionally, the course will address the process of selecting and protecting trademarks including pre-adoption searching, preparation and filing of applications, prosecution of applications, and issuance and maintenance of trademark registrations in the U.S. and abroad. The course will focus on the paralegal’s role in obtaining and maintaining patents and trademarks, including electronic filings. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

LEGL 5945 Copyright and Trade Secret Law for Paralegals (3)

This is a substantive law course covering the federal copyright statute (17 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) and the federal and state statutes governing trade secrets and confidential information. This course will cover copyrightable subject matter, the exclusive rights afforded by copyright, ownership of copyright, and fair use. This course will cover the preparation and prosecution of applications for copyright registration and federal and state schemes for protecting and enforcing rights in trade secrets and other confidential information. Additionally, this course will examine the role of the paralegal in securing and enforcing copyright rights in works of authorship in the U.S. and abroad, and the paralegal’s role in securing and enforcing trade secret rights. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

LEGL 5965 Computerized Intellectual Property Research for Paralegals (3)

This is a legal researching and writing skills course that will focus on searching strategies and databases in intellectual property contexts. This course will address both publicly available and private databases for searching for prior art for patentability and validity purposes; trademarks and services marks for availability and clearance searches; and legal precedent to support application and enforcement efforts. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

LEGL 6000 Research and Writing Project (3)

The student is expected to synthesize and integrate the learning experiences acquired in legal studies and to evaluate the research and current topics relative to this area of concentration. Techniques used to accomplish these goals may vary. Prerequisite: completion of all other required courses in this major.

PATA 5710 Global Intellectual Property Law (3)

This course will introduce students to intellectual property outside the U.S. It will also cover the challenges and problems in protecting and enforcing patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets outside the U.S. Additionally, this course will cover the major intellectual property treaties, including the Paris Convention; The Patent Cooperation Treaty; the Madrid Agreement and the Madrid Protocol; the Berne Convention; the Universal Copyright Convention, and others, focusing on the practical impact of these treaties on protecting rights outside of the United States. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

PATA 5720 Copyright Law and Trade Secret Law (3)

This is a substantive law course covering the federal copyright statute (17 U.S.C. 101 et seq.) and the federal and state statutes governing trade secrets and confidential information. Issues to be examined include copyrightable subject matter, the exclusive rights afforded by copyright, ownership of copyright, and fair use. Additionally, this course will cover the preparation and prosecution of applications for copyright registration, and the federal and state schemes for protecting and enforcing rights in trade secrets and other confidential information. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000 and PATA 5900.

PATA 5730 Trademark Law (3)

This is a substantive law course covering the federal and state statutory and common law schemes for protecting trademarks and service marks. This course follows the process of selecting and protecting a trademark including pre-adoption searching, preparation and filing of applications, prosecution of applications, and issuance and maintenance of trademark registrations in the U.S. and abroad. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000 and PATA 5900.

PATA 5740 Ownership, Licensing, and Transfer of Intellectual Property (3)

This is a practical skills course covering the basics of contract formation and drafting. This course will cover the preparation and interpretation of agreements affecting the ownership, licensing, and transfer of intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000 and PATA 5900.

PATA 5750 Computerized Patent Searching and Patentability (3)

This is a legal researching and writing skills course that will focus on searching strategies and databases in patent contexts. This course will address both publicly available and private databases for searching for prior art for patentability and validity purposes, and legal precedent to support application and enforcement efforts. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000 and PATA 5920.

PATA 5900 Foundations in Intellectual Property Law (3)

This course is a survey of the four primary areas of intellectual property--patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. This course will compare and contrast the protections afforded by each of these primary areas of intellectual property law, and will clarify the scope and limits of patent protection for new inventions and discoveries. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

PATA 5910 Patent Law (3)

This is a substantive patent law course focusing on the federal patent laws (35 U.S.C. 1 et seq.). This course will cover the arrangement of the U.S. Patent Office, the requirements of patentability, and the patent application process. This course introduces students to the U.S. patent system, issues relating to patent law, patentability, benefits of obtaining patent protection, defenses to and remedies for patent infringement, and patent issues abroad. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

PATA 5920 Patent Drafting (3)

This is a practical skills course that teaches the fundamentals of preparing a patent application, with particular emphasis on claim drafting. Drafting techniques useful for all technical subject matters will be covered. At the end of this course, students are expected to be able to draft proper claims and prepare patent application documents suitable for filing in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000, LEGL 5260, and PATA 5910.

PATA 5930 Patent Prosecution (3)

This is a practical skills course that teaches the fundamentals of prosecuting patent applications - corresponding with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to overcome formal and substantive rejections of a patent application. Prosecution strategy with a view toward subsequent enforcement of the resulting patent will be emphasized. At the end of this course, students are expected to be able to draft a proper response to an Office Action issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and handle other issues with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office relating to the issuance and maintenance of U.S. patents. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000.

PATA 5940 Patent Law Regulations, Procedures, and Ethics (3)

This course reviews the patent laws (35 U.S.C. 1 et seq.), the formal patent rules (37 CFR), and information patent rules (the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure). One of the objectives of this course is for students to become familiar with the practical side of how the patent laws are implemented by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Students will also learn the nuts and bolts of patent filing - what papers are necessary to file a patent application and how to prepare and file them. This course will also cover ethical issues of patent preparation and prosecution. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000 and PATA 5910.

PATA 5950 Patent Litigation and the Federal Courts (3)

This is a substantive law course focusing on the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which has exclusive jurisdiction over most patent-related lawsuits. This course will cover the structure of the Court, and its procedures, and the effect of the Court’s decisions on Patent Office Procedures and patent litigation. Specific attention will be given to the study of the significant rulings of the Federal Circuit on the interpretation of patents, the determination of infringement, and the remedies available for infringement. Prerequisite: LEGL 5000, LEGL 5260, and PATA 5910.

PATA 6030 Integrated Practices in Patent Agency (3)

This is the capstone practical skills course bringing together all of the substantive law knowledge and practical skills training and applying it to the searching, preparation, filing, and prosecution of a patent application on an invention. Students will follow a project from start to finish, producing a portfolio-type work product that may be useful as a writing sample. Prerequisite: Completion of all other required courses in this major.