This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
Gain an understanding of the American legal system and its laws from a practicing lawyer, as we are introduced to the US legal structure, the Constitution and legal rights, criminal law, torts and contracts, property and individual rights, and more.
Total classes: 9
Prerequisite: None. However, American Government is recommended
Suggested grade level: 11th to 12th
Suggested credit: 2/3 semester credit for government or law. Additional reading can be assigned by the parent for a full semester credit.
Description
Join this introduction to the legal system that surrounds us, governs us and influences us every day — even if we’re not aware of it. In this course, you will gain a basic understanding of some fundamental concepts of the American legal system and will review some of the different areas of law.
Outline
Week 1: Foundations of the law; Separation of Powers
Week 2: The Role of the Courts; Judicial review
Week 3: Constitutional Law; the Bill of Rights; Stare Decisis
Week 4: Criminal Law
Week 5: Torts
Week 6: Torts, cont.
Week 7: Contracts
Week 8: Property
Week 9: Final Class; Major US Supreme Court cases
Materials and Homework
Course Materials: Law 101 (5th ed.) by Jay M. Feinman, https://www.textbooks.com/Law-101-5th-Edition/9780190866327/Jay-M-Feinman.php various cases; other materials found free online or as a pdf from the instructor.
Homework: One to two hours of preparatory reading and homework per week on average. Reading entails book chapters that correspond with the area of law we’re discussing. Students will brief cases and/or answer short answer questions about the readings.
