Course Descriptions

College Catalog

Paralegal Studies Courses

Below is a list of Paralegal Studies courses offered by Stevenson University. To earn a degree in Paralegal Studies, students must also complete coursework in other areas. To view a complete listing of all course requirements for the Paralegal Studies degree, please see the University catalog.

LAW 102
Introduction to Legal Studies
Provides an overview of the functions of our legal system and the sources and nature of our laws. Introduces many substantive and procedural areas of law. Examines the legal profession, the role of the paralegal, and the regulation of attorney and paralegal conduct. Students will begin identifying career goals. Provides an in-depth examination of legal ethics and introduces students to the types of ethical dilemmas they may face in the work force and the methods for researching the answers to and resolving ethical dilemmas. (26 Feb 2008)

LAW 112
Torts
This course will provide an introduction to the broad area of civil wrongs and their appropriate remedies. Tort Law principles of liability for personal, property, and economic harm; negligence (including professional malpractice), strict liability (including products liability), and intentional torts will be covered. Affirmative defenses and limitation of duties including assumption of the risk, contributory negligence, comparative negligence, immunity, and limited liability of property owners will also be reviewed. Pre- or co-requisites: LAW 102 and ENG 151. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 114
Estates and Trusts
This course introduces students to the laws governing wills and estates. Topics covered include will drafting, inheritance through testacy and intestacy, the role of personal representatives in estate administration, formal and informal probate procedures, and tax ramifications of estate planning. The course also provides an overview of techniques for gathering facts, listing assets, and drafting probate documents and reports. Students will also gain first-hand knowledge of preparing wills and applying probate procedures in opening and closing an estate. Pre- or co-requisites: LAW 102 and ENG 151.Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 120
Contract Law
Provides a detailed introduction to the common law of contracts and the Uniform Commercial Code. Examines such topics as the basics for enforcing promises, the bargaining process, contract formalities, enforcement, breach, defenses, remedies, and assignment and delegation. Drafting skills are introduced and developed. (26 Feb 2008)

LAW 125
Legal Research and Writing I
This course provides an introduction and overview to the methods of legal research and legal writing. Students will examine the various sources of law and categories of research materials. Students will be introduced to writing citations and learn how to develop a research plan, how to analyze cases and statutes, and how to use the law library. Basic legal writing skills will be covered as well as computer assisted legal research. Prerequisites: LAW 102 and ENG 151. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 130
Business Organizations Law
Examines the nature of sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, corporations, and S corporations. Emphasis will be placed on the drafting of articles of incorporation and articles organizations, partnership agreements, certificates of limited partnership, corporate minutes and consents, and preparation of various governmental filings that accomplany corporate, LLC and partnership formation. (26 Feb 2008)

LAW 204
Constitutional Law
Introduction to the Constitution with an emphasis on the Bill of Rights. Examination of criminal and civil constitutional rights, including the underlying legal principles governing searches and seizures, self-incrimination, due process, and equal protection of the law. Prerequisites: LAW 102 and ENG 151. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 206
Law in Maryland
Introduction to a wide variety of law and government related settings in Maryland. Through site visits and guest speakers, students will learn the role, jurisdiction, and operating procedures for state and federal courts, the purpose of government agencies, and the role that private law firms and not-for-profit agencies play in the legal system. Pre- or co-requisite: ENG 151. May term. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 208
Business Law
(Formerly BA 208) Legal aspects of business relationships, contracts, agency, and sales, including Uniform Commercial Code. Three credits. Not for Paralegal majors. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 210
Legal Research & Writing II
This course continues the examination of the methods of legal research and legal writing. Students will examine in depth the primary and secondary state and federal materials. Students will learn to update and validate their research. Emphasis will be placed on creating a successful research strategy. Advanced computerized legal research will be incorporated into research assignments. Students will analyze and synthesize the results of their research and incorporate their research into forms of persuasive legal writing. Prerequisite: LAW 125 with a grade of C or better. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 215
Criminal Law
Crimes and offenses, criminal procedures and constitutional guarantees of accused persons, jurisdiction of courts, preparation for trial, and appellate and post-conviction procedures. Prerequisites: LAW 102 and ENG 151. Fall semester. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 216
Civil Litigation and Pleading
Basic understanding of civil litigation and the functions and operations of the state and federal court systems. Includes selection of the proper court, court jurisdiction, pleadings and other court documents, discovery, rules of evidence, trial tactics, and principles of litigation. Study of the rules of procedure for Maryland courts. Prerequisites: LAW 112 and LAW 120. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 225B
Internship
One hundred thirty-five hours of supervised work in a law office or legal department as a paralegal. Prerequisites: LAW 225A, LAW 210, and 15 additional law credits. Students may have no grades lower than "C" in the prerequisite courses. Spring semester. 2 credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 259
Children and Family Law
Examines laws and regulations related to the health and welfare of children. Topics include Child Custody and Visitation, Child Abuse and Neglect, Consent to Treatment, Laws Related to Child Care Settings, and Special Education. Prerequisite: ENG 151. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 300
Elderlaw
A practical approach to the legal functions inherent in an elderlaw practice. Includes an overview of the medical and social issues affecting seniors and their families, particularly advanced health care directives, management of assets, passing assets upon death, federal gift and estate taxes, and long-term care financing; an understanding of the legislation, regulation and policy determinations governing elderlaw issues; presentation and evaluation of planning approaches and tools frequently used in elderlaw; instruction in the preparation and use of documents necessary to effectuate elderlaw plans; ethical considerations for families; and the role of other professionals in elderlaw planning. Prerequisite: LAW 114. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 302
LSAT Review
The purpose of this course is to provide students in all majors with the opportunity to think critically, strategically, and efficiently in order to understand the four multiple- choice type questions commonly found on the LSAT. Students will be required to take simulated LSAT exams, answer actual LSAT questions from recent examinations, and learn test-taking strategies. Students will also draft a well-written personal statement, suitable for inclusion in a law school application. Prerequisite: LAW 210 or a 200- level writing course, and junior or senior status. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 309
Business Law & Profession Responsibility
(Formerly BA 309) Review and further study of contracts, debtor-creditor relationships, agency, the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), negotiable instruments, commercial paper, business organizations, suretyship, and government regulation of business. Ethics and professional responsibility are emphasized. Prerequisite: LAW 308. Spring semester. Three credits. Restricted to Accounting majors. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 315
Advanced Estate Administration
Administration of a complex decedent's estate; preparation of all probate documents, including inventory and accounts; problems of valuation and appraisal of assets; preparation of federal estate tax return; and study of Maryland inheritance and estate taxation. Prerequisites: LAW 114. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 322
Criminal Investigation
This course provides students the opportunity to study the principles and procedures employed in the investigation of crime. Emphasis is placed on the investigation of specific crimes, identification of information sources, and the procedures required for the proper handling of evidence. Prerequisite: LAW 215. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 325
Employment Law
Overview of the law of the workplace. Examines the impact on the employer-employee relationship and provides guidance within the environment of employment law. Examines employment law as the crossroads of several legal disciplines: contract, tort, and agency; common law, regulatory, and statutory law; as well as social, economic, and political policy. Prerequisites: LAW 130. Fall semester. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 351
Problems in Litigation
This course is intended to provide paralegal and pre-law students with practical exposure to areas of litigation in which they are most likely to practice. In particular, this course teaches students essential skills in interviewing and negotiating, drafting pertinent correspondence, evaluating and strategizing cases, taking and extracting depositions, reviewing and producing documents, arguing motions, preparing exhibits for trial, and giving opening statements. These skills are taught through the use of an ongoing factual hypothetical, which will allow the students to "see" a case from beginning to end. The course encourages openness through class discussion and practical exercises and allows for creativity in drafting and preparing litigation documents. The focus on the "practical" aspects of litigation will develop students' professional growth and enable them to be more prepared to enter the legal market. Prerequisites: LAW 216. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 361
Immigration Law
Examines the laws, policies and procedures pertaining to immigration, naturalization and citizenship. Topics include legal entry into and residence in the United States, qualifying for citizenship, Visas, amnesty, asylum and refugees, deportation, and post 9/11 issues. Designed to meet specific employer needs in the field of immigration law, both in the private and public sectors. Preparation of legal documents and immigration forms is emphasized. Prerequisite: LAW 216: Civil Litigation and Pleading. Spring semester. Three credits. (18 Sept 2007)

LAW 365
Health Care Law
Study of the framework of regulation of the health care arena, including the credentialing of heath care professionals and how health insurance can define access to health care. Analysis of fraud and abuse legislation and regulations, including application of the law to hypotheticals. A review of the effect of antitrust legislation on health care business transactions. The laws of birth and death will be examined. Prerequisite: LAW 210. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 390
Law Clinic
This course is designed to integrate the classroom experience with practice as a paralegal. Clinic paralegal students participate in a wide range of clinical activities under the close and supportive supervision of a faculty/attorney. Students learn what it means to be a paralegal by working with the economically disadvantages and under-represented persons in the community and by analyzing this experience. While working with clients in various areas of law (such as tax, family law, and bankruptcy), students will explore the substantive areas of law and its processes. Issues of professional responsibility are also considered. Students will meet periodically with other clinic students and the faculty/attorney to discuss the areas of substantive law, the paralegal skills they developed, and any ethical issues they encountered. Prerequisite: LAW 225. May be repeated one time. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 404
Advanced Constitutional Law
Analysis of the Fourteenth Amendment rights of due process and equal protection; examination of principles involving the Commerce Clause and Commerical Free Speech; review of recent decisions by the Supreme Court that significantly impact the major areas of criminal and civil law. Prerequisites: LAW 204. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 415
Financial Institutions Law
Analysis of the structure, operation, and regulation of the American banking industry. Explores the distinctions among national and state chartered commercial banks and other financial institutions. Examines bank holding companies and regulation of non-traditional banking activities, and scrutinizes troubled banks and the FDIC. Senior status or prior banking experience recommended. Prerequisites: LAW 220 and three credits in law OR related work experience. Three hours a week. Fall semester. Three credits. (29 Jun 2004)

LAW 423
Advanced Real Estate
Expansion of principles of real property law into the more sophisticated areas of conveyancing, mortgage and equity financing, and forms of property ownership; preparing for settlements, recording of documents, and applications for title insurance. Residential and commercial transactions, including leasing, cooperatives and condominiums, timesharing, syndications, and tax implications are covered. Focus on the distinctions among specific financial institutions, appraisers, real estate agents, and mortgage makers and their roles in the real estate market. Prerequisite: LAW 223. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 440
Independent Legal Studies
An independent study course in which the student completes an approved project under close faculty supervision during the course of a semester. Examples include an extended research project that results in a paper similar to a law journal article, assisting or counseling in a law clinic, and exercising legal knowledge or skills on behalf of a civic group such as handicapped or disadvantaged persons. Substantive paper required. Prerequisites: LAW 210, junior or senior status, and permission of department chair. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 450
Administrative-Government Law
Administrative law and policy at the federal and state levels. Emphasizes how the administrative process functions in theory and in practice from the perspective of the lawyer and the paralegal. Includes rulemaking, both information and formal; adjudication at the administrative level; judicial review; Freedom of Information and Public Information Act; and Federal and Maryland Administrative Procedure Acts. Prerequisite: LAW 216. Three credits. (17 Nov 2006)

LAW 460
Legal Nurse Consulting
Students will review the history and evolution of the nurse paralegal and examine major legal topics in health care, including standards of care, informed consent, and access to medical records. The consultant's role in the litigation process, including interviewing and interacting with clients, analyzing medical records, and utilizing expert witnesses, will be studied. The nurse paralegal's role in trial preparation and the trial process will be explored. Students will practice newly learned skill in the analysis of cases. Students will also complete a semester-long internship. Prerequisites: R.N. licensure, 2,000 hours clinical experience as an R.N. and LAW 365. Three hours class a week plus internship. Spring semester. Six credits.

LAW 480
Senior Seminar
Capstone course employing a broad range of legal research, legal writing, analytical skills, oral communication skills, and substantive law skills. Students demonstrate mastery of substantive legal skills through completion of a project. Demonstration of legal research, legal writing, and analytical and oral communication skills through presentation of legal briefs. Prerequisite: LAW 210 and senior status. Four credits. (17 Nov 2006)