Legal Studies Major and Minor Requirements

Major Program Requirements:
A minimum of 36 credit hours is required. All majors must take the following core courses: LS 301, 420, 422, 424, 426, 428, 490, and 495 (24 hours). In addition, all majors must take ACC 212 and three of the following courses: CS 150, CS 233, CS 238, WRT 350, LS/WGS 370, or either PLS 306 or CJ 305.

Minor Program Requirements:
Minors must complete 21 credit hours, including LS 301, 420, 422, 424, 426, 428, and 490 or 495.

Courses of Instruction

LS 301 Introduction to Law Introduction to the major substantive areas of American law, including agency, business organizations, contracts, real and personal property, torts, wills, and estate administration. Three credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.

LS/WGS 370 Women and the Law An overview of the American law's treatment of constitutional limitations on sex discrimination in law and efforts to end discrimination; marriage and divorce; relationships outside of marriage; reproductive rights and biological factors impacting on these rights; violence against women; and employment discrimination focusing on gender-based influences. Part of Gender, Society, and Culture theme. Three credits. Offered winter semester.

LS 380 Special Topics in Legal Studies Focuses on topics not ordinarily dealt with in other courses. Topics will be determined by faculty interest and student request. Although the course can be repeated, no more than six credits can be applied to a legal studies major. Three credits. Offered on sufficient demand.

LS 420 Property and Probate Law A study of property and probate law through the examination of key concepts, case law, statutory law, and documents. Fact-gathering techniques and drafting considerations will be highlighted. Topics include real estate, personal property, environmental law, wills, and probate. Prerequisites: 301 (may be taken concurrently) or permission of instructor. Three credits. Offered fall semester.

LS 422 Commercial Law A study of commercial law through the examination of key concepts, case law, statutory law, and documents. Fact-gathering techniques and drafting considerations will be highlighted. Topics include partnerships, corporations, employment law, bankruptcy, and consumer protection law. Prerequisites: 301 (may be taken concurrently) or permission of instructor. Three credits. Offered winter semester.

LS 424 Legal Research and Writing Introduction to legal research methods, including state and federal reported cases, digests, annotated codes, state and federal administrative regulations, and computerized legal research; introduction to the writing of case briefs and memoranda. Prerequisites: 301 (may be taken concurrently) or permission of instructor. Three credits. Offered fall and winter semesters.

LS 426 Civil Litigation Introduction to civil litigation. Particular attention paid to jurisdiction, venue, service of process, pleading, motions, and the discovery process. Prerequisites: 301 (may be taken concurrently) or permission of instructor. Three credits. Offered fall semester.

LS 428 Factual Investigation An examination of factual investigation techniques used in the practice of law. Topics include obtaining and reviewing government and private records, databases, locating witnesses, interviewing, discovery, and privilege considerations. Prerequisite: 301 (may be taken concurrently) or permission of instructor. Three credits. Offered fall semester.

LS 490 Legal Studies Internship Internship in a government, private, or corporate law office under individual faculty supervision to allow students to apply academic knowledge to professional experience. Prerequisites: 301, senior status, permission of instructor attained through completion of an application form submitted during the semester before the internship, and LS 424 and 426 (taken before or concurrently with 490). Three credits. Offered every semester.

LS 495 Legal Thought (capstone) Explores the philosophy, politics, and ethics of law and legal reasoning. Study of the major schools of thought that have informed American jurisprudence and its modern critiques. Familiarity with the fundamentals of legal reasoning and the structure and operation of the legal system will be assumed. Prerequisites: 301, senior status in the program, and LS 424 (may be taken concurrently). Three credits. Offered winter semester.

RETURN TO LEGAL STUDIES MAIN MENU

VISIT GVSU'S SCHOOL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE HOMEPAGE