20
Course Descriptions
First-Year Curriculum
200. Constitutional Law I —Armstrong, Epperson, Gulasekaram, Hsieh, Joondeph, Rooke-Ley, Russell, Steinman
First half of introduction to concepts of constitutional doctrine, with particular reference to the institutional role of the Supreme Court. The judicial function in constitutional cases (judicial review), the structure of government and the constitutional distribution of power between nation and states and among the three branches of national government, and individual rights under the due process clauses. This course is an upper-division course for students who enrolled prior to fall 2006. (One-semester course; 3 units)
102. Contracts — Hammond, Macintosh, Neustadter, Oberman, Sandoval
Basis for, and the scope and purpose of, the legal protection afforded contracts and the remedies by which that protection is secured. Includes mutual assent, the bargained-for exchange and substitutes for consideration, the statute of frauds, interpretation of contract language, the effect of changed circumstances, conditions, rights of third parties, assignment, and measures of recovery in event of breach. The historical evolution of contract law, the Uniform Commercial Code, and other modern statutory developments. (Two-semester course; 6 units)
106. Criminal Law —Cohen, Kreitzberg, Murphy, Ridolfi, Steinman
Basic introduction to substantive criminal law. What act and mental state, together with what attendant circumstances or consequences, are necessary ingredients of various crimes. Includes a detailed analysis of many of the crimes against persons and property; responsibility (insanity, intoxication, infancy); defenses, justifications, and excuses; parties to crime and anticipatory offenses. Common law history and modern statutes are used as material. (One-semester course; 3 units)
101. Legal Research and Writing — Abriel, Bernstein, Carter, Duffy-Horling, Ekern, Hardack, Jamil, Markus, Messenger, Rauch, John Schunk, JoLi Schunk, R. Smith, S. Smith
In this year-long course, full-time legal writing faculty introduce students to legal analysis, research, writing, and citation. During the first semester, students learn to brief cases, analyze and synthesize legal authorities, apply the authorities to a new set of facts, and write multiple, predictive office memoranda. In the second semester, students begin learning both text and online research skills, and develop their analytical and editing skills in the context of trial court briefs. During both semesters, legal writing faculty provide detailed written comments on students’ work. (Two-semester course; 4 units)
114. Pleading and Civil Procedure — Hsieh, Jimenez, Russell, Van Schaack
The law concerned with the establishment and operation of courts of law and equity. Considers issues of jurisdiction and venue of litigation; pleadings; joinder of parties and claims; discovery; adjudication without trial; trial through judgment; and appeals. (Two-semester course; 6 units)
104. Property — Armstrong, Cain, Glancy, Mertens, Wendel
Basic background in property law. This survey of the law governs ownership, possession, and use of land and other types of property. (One semester course; 4 units)
103. Torts — Love, Manaster, Ochoa, Rooke-Ley, E. Wright, N. Wright
Issues involved in determining whether the law will require a person to compensate for harm intentionally or unintentionally caused in situations as diverse as automobile collisions, medical treatment, and consumption of defective food products. Also includes the social, economic, and use or political implications of various resolutions. (One semester course; 4 units)
