Introduction to U.S. Law and the Legal System
This course is required for international students in the LL.M. in U.S. Law or the LL.M. in International Law.
This required foundational course introduces students to the sources and functions of law in our society. The course begins with an explanation of the structure and traditions of the American court system. Students then learn to read and analyze cases and statutes and develop basic legal written and oral presentation skills. The course uses cases from various fields and provides students with the background they will need for understanding American law.
Outcomes: Describe the structure, functions, and traditions of the American court system, including the roles of various courts and legal actors in the administration of justice; Develop the ability to read and critically analyze judicial opinions, statutes, and other legal texts, identifying key legal principles, issues, and reasoning used in reaching decisions; Identify and explain the primary sources of American law (statutes, case law, and regulations) and understand their interrelationship within the legal system; Use case examples from various fields of law to understand how legal principles are applied in different contexts, including civil, criminal, and administrative law.
This required foundational course introduces students to the sources and functions of law in our society. The course begins with an explanation of the structure and traditions of the American court system. Students then learn to read and analyze cases and statutes and develop basic legal written and oral presentation skills. The course uses cases from various fields and provides students with the background they will need for understanding American law.
Outcomes: Describe the structure, functions, and traditions of the American court system, including the roles of various courts and legal actors in the administration of justice; Develop the ability to read and critically analyze judicial opinions, statutes, and other legal texts, identifying key legal principles, issues, and reasoning used in reaching decisions; Identify and explain the primary sources of American law (statutes, case law, and regulations) and understand their interrelationship within the legal system; Use case examples from various fields of law to understand how legal principles are applied in different contexts, including civil, criminal, and administrative law.