Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies

This course is an introduction to the structure of the American court system. Topics include prosecution, right to counsel, pretrial release, grand jury process, and sentencing concepts. The course will assess the U.S Courts System and how it relates to the criminal justice system in America. Students will become familiar with the chronological events from the arrest process to sentencing and appeals. Students will be able to explain concepts of stop and frisk arrest, searches under warrant, and presentation of the case to the magistrate. Assessments of the criminal trial process and phases of pretrial and trial proceedings will be examined.

This course will assess the methods used to locate necessary legal materials and be able to evaluate the appropriate citations of those materials. The paralegal aspects are reviewed and distinguished from other judicial case briefings. The course will introduce legal analysis methods and the preparation of appropriate techniques for researching legal issues and cases. Critical definitions of legal terminology are analyzed and used in preparation of legal materials such as memoranda, client letters, and other relevant documents. The course presents the student with techniques for effective writing in the legal environment. (Prerequisite: ENGL101).

Pre Reqs: Proficiency in Writing(ENGL101)

This undergraduate course introduces students to the ethics and professional responsibilities of the legal profession. Emphasis is given to the strict regulation of the practice of law and accompanying reasons, as well as the standard of care expected by those who work in the field. Important ethical issues, such as marketing, client relationships, fees, and communications are explored. Students will analyze the model rules and their practical applications.

This undergraduate course is the study of the work of administrative agencies in the executive branch of the United States government with some additional material on administrative agencies in state and local governments. Administrative law and policy touches virtually every person in the United States virtually every day of the year. It is the administrative agencies that fill in the "details" of government policy. Indeed, administrative agencies are so important and so powerful that they are frequently referred to as the "fourth branch of government." This course will examine the position that agencies occupy in our constitutional system of government by carefully detailing the respective roles of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. The course will be mainly concerned with administrative procedure (i.e., agency rulemaking and adjudication, agency investigations, agency sanctions) but because it is almost impossible to distinguish between substance and procedure, the procedural elements of administrative law will be illustrated and discussed in the context of a specific agency action--e.g., the Environmental Protection Agency's actions on carbon emissions and global warming. The course will analyze the work of the "independent regulatory commissions" as well as those agencies that are completely under the control of the President of the United States. Both the legislative and judicial branches of our government have a large impact on administrative law, so the actions of Congress in creating and watching over the agencies and the actions of the courts in adhering to the rule of law for agency action ("judicial review of agency action") will be vital components of the course.

This course is an introduction to constitutional law, the Supreme Court, and criminal procedure using the "case and comment" approach. Its concentration is on the study and analysis of United States Constitutional Law. It emphasizes those provisions of the Bill of Rights pertaining to criminal justice. Topics include: the historical events that led to the development of the Constitution; principles governing the operation of the Constitution and the role of the U.S. Supreme Court; characteristics and powers of the three branches of government; development of due process and individual protections; right to counsel, unreasonable searches and seizures; compulsory self-incrimination; and cruel and unusual punishment.

A study in substantive criminal law emphasizing the principles of criminal liability and the acts, mental state, and attendant circumstances that are necessary ingredients in crimes against persons or property or in offenses involving theft, fraud, drugs, morality and decency, public peace, or public justice.

This upper level undergraduate course introduces students to the legal and procedural requirements of family law. Students will explore various legal procedures and extrajudicial methods. Topics such as marital agreements, separation, divorce, alimony, custody, adoptions, domestic violence, cohabitation, and same-sex marriages will be covered. Emphasis is placed on linking theory to practice.

This course develops skills for inquiry into the business environment from a legal and ethical perspective. Students explore the relationships between modern business and the environment, in addition to the ethical issues that arise when diverse interests intersect. Relevant topics will include contracts, commercial law (sales, secured transactions and creditors remedies), forms of business entities (including limited liability companies and corporations), agency, employer-employee relationships, real property concepts, bankruptcy, and negligence and strict liability concepts. Students will examine corporate governance and business ethics, with emphasis on case studies.

This course is an introduction to environmental policy, regulation, and law in the U.S. Subjects covered will include command and control of regulation, air quality, water quality, control of toxic materials, waste management, energy, and natural resources.

A study of the legal rights and liabilities of travel and tourism personnel, hotel and restaurant operators, including innkeeper and guest, landlord and tenant, liquor, sanitation, labor and other laws applicable to hotel and restaurant operations; insurance coverage for the protection of the hotel and restaurant operators from the various liabilities inherent to these types of operations; safety measures necessary to protect guests and employees from legal harm.

Focus is on fundamental laws, rules, and regulations applicable to the hospitality industry regarding rights and liabilities of innkeepers and restaurant operators. Case studies will be used to provide additional learning opportunities specific to hospitality.

This course examines how laws have had to change to account for the expanded realm of crimes in the digital age. Despite legislation intended to combat the problem of identity theft, it continues to be one of the most common crimes associated with the Internet. Sexual harassment complaints can now be triggered simply by an employee forwarding questionable email to fellow employees. Some regard intellectual property rights violations to be innocent flattery, while others consider them to be violations that must be stamped out by force of law. Plagiarism by students who pull content from the Internet is a growing problem. Stalkers can log into their victims lives and gain access to highly confidential medical and financial information, and even sabotage their victim's reputations. This course examines current literature on such topics.

This course is a study of the legal skills involving interviewing and counseling for civil cases, the drafting of legal documents for civil cases, and legal ethics focused specifically on civil cases. Course topics include civil trial practices of pleadings, motions, discovery, pre-trial conferences, jury selection, trial protocols, and appellate strategies.

This course exposes the student to legal cases from the individual perspective of the player, coach, fan, owner, agent, and medical staff, in addition to leagues and administrative bodies, dealing with captivating subjects as varied as drug testing, gender discrimination, player violence and criminal conduct, breach of contract, player eligibility, product liability, endorsement contracts, and television broadcasting.

This course is designed to provide students with a solid knowledge of US Military Law through the study of the evolutionary process, politics, and motivation that has led to the current status of US Military Law. Topics include the history of military law, US Military Law, statutory basis, legal system, and basic application. It will also include an analysis of current events as related through the press, where military law is involved.

Introduces the student to the basic principles and practices of international law and legal regimes. Examines traditional and emerging topics in the field: human rights, the Law of the Sea, the Law of Armed Conflict, War Crime Tribunals, and the International Criminal Court. (Prerequisite: IRLS210).

Pre Reqs: International Relations I(IRLS210)

This upper level undergraduate course exposes students to the technological concepts, applications and vocabulary used in a law office. Students will examine today’s paperless office and explore the legal ethics of technology and popular legal software programs. Topics such as case organization and management, electronic discovery, electronic filing, as well as accompanying rules and procedures will be covered.

Maritime/Admiralty Law is that body of laws which governs events and transactions which occur upon navigable waters, including oceans, gulf and inland waterways. More specifically, it addresses matters including marine navigation and commerce, shipping, maritime workers, and the transportation of passengers and goods by sea. Maritime/Admiralty law has been distinguished from the Law of the Sea, which is a body of public international law addressing navigational rights, natural resource rights, jurisdiction over coastal waters and international law governing relationships between nations. This course contains a broad review of both Maritime/Admiralty Law and the Law of the Sea, including those international and domestic laws applicable in a maritime setting which govern relationships between individuals and the state (public law) as well as individuals and/or groups (private law). Specifically, this course will survey the fundamental principles of maritime law with a broad review of civil and criminal law enforcement issues in a maritime context. Students will study various aspects of maritime jurisdiction and substantive law addressing such topics as the law of the sea, maritime law enforcement, maritime tort law, maritime commercial law, maritime liens, salvage, rights and obligations of port authorities and pilots, sovereign immunity, international maritime conventions, and piracy. After completing this course the student will be able to: A. Analyze numerous substantive legal issues related to maritime law. B. Recount various international conventions relating to maritime safety and pollution. C. Differentiate between proper jurisdictional venues for assorted maritime actions. D. Identify legal issues and limitations related to a ship owner’s liability and cargo claims. E. Examine various forms of compensation available to seamen, other maritime workers and passengers.

This undergraduate course will focus on the basic legal rules governing kinds of information which can be developed and received at trial, and how evidence may be considered by the trier of fact. Students will study how policies favoring probative evidence must be weighed against policies protecting against hearsay, opinion, prejudice, time consumption, and other harmful matters. Proper examination and impeachment of witnesses will also be explored.

Analyzes the formulation and execution of public policy in America. Includes study of decision-making theory, bureaucratic politics and other models that seek to explain how policy is made. Issues explored include social, environmental, economic, homeland security, defense, and foreign policy. Additional issue areas may be covered depending on contemporary significance.

This course is an introduction to the Islamic tradition, with a focus on Islamic Law and Religious Ethics. Course content includes the Islamic ideas of obligation, justice, equality, and personal morality, including an examination of the foundations of these ideas in scriptural and legal traditions.

This course is a study of law, law-making, law-enforcement, and legal systems in social life. Course content focuses on the American legal system from a sociological perspective--its origins, development, and current format, and examines the sources of the legal tradition, the function of legislation in society, and current trends in the social construction of norms. The course investigates the human need for social order and conflict resolution, and how that takes shape in the social world.

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.

The Capstone course is a senior level course designed to allow the student to review, analyze and integrate the work the student has completed toward a degree in Legal Studies. The student will complete an approved academic project or paper that demonstrates mastery of their program of study in a meaningful culmination of their learning and to assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree requirements. NOTE: All required, core, and major courses must be completed prior to enrollment in this course. Student must have SENIOR standing to register.