Introduction to basic legal terminology and legal principles, as well as hands on experience with computer technology applicable to law office management, document production, scheduling, research, litigation support, and ethics. Prerequisite: None.

Introduction to the basic skills of legal analysis and case briefing, understanding the state and federal legal systems, and judicial decision-making. The course will also include a survey of torts, contracts, criminal law, and property law. Prerequisite: None.

A study of business organizations and the tasks a paralegal would be required to perform in setting up and maintaining those organizations. Topics covered include: law of agency, partnership, limited partnership and corporations. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200 or consent.

Family law issues are the focus of this course, including the law of divorce, annulment and separate maintenance actions. The gathering of information and preparation of pleadings are undertaken. Adoption and custody procedures are reviewed. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200 or consent.

Procedural and substantive principles of real and personal property laws. Preparation of documents for common real estate transactions, including deeds, contracts, and mortgages. Personal property topics will include bailments, possession, accession and gifts. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200 or consent.

Involves probating a will or administering an estate; assembling information necessary for collection and evaluating assets; maintaining proper records for accounting purposes; preparing pleadings for initial petition and appointment of an administrator and executor; sale, mortgage, and lease of assets; and preparing estate tax returns, wills and trusts. Intestate succession and tax implications are studied. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200 or consent.

This course explores the basic structure of the Constitution, the powers it grants to the federal government, and the basic rights and protections it provides to individuals. Students will analyze and think critically about United States Supreme Court opinions on such topics as rights against discrimination, privacy rights, rights to the freedom of speech and religion, due process rights, and the right to bear arms. Prerequisite: None.

Introduction to primary and secondary authorities, including court decisions, legislation, annotations, digests, legal periodicals and specialty texts and reports. Practical research projects, including legal writing. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200 or consent.

The various forms of legal writing are the focus of this course, including letters, memoranda, motions, and briefs. Students will learn further research techniques, including an introduction to computerized legal research. Practical writing projects are included. Prerequisite: LG 250 or consent.

Analysis of the steps and procedures in preparing for litigation. Course topics include a detailed study of the preparation and use of discovery devices, the drafting of pleadings and motions, and a detailed analysis of the steps involved in trial preparation and procedure. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200 or consent.

Study of basic interviewing techniques in various legal settings. Mock interviews of clients and witnesses. Various styles of interviewing covered, as well as question-asking and listening techniques. Factual and legal investigation theories, plans and techniques will be used. Ethical concerns related to interviewing witnesses and clients covered. Rules of evidence are reviewed. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200 or consent.

This course is designed to teach students further research techniques, including the research of legislative history and administrative law, both through library research and computer-assisted legal research. Prerequisite: LG 250 or consent.

Introduction to laws that affect the elderly population. Study of course topics will include estate planning, guardianship and conservatorship, patients’ rights, entitlement programs, managed care, social security, Medicare, Medicaid, and elder abuse. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200 or consent.

Introduction to basic concepts in tort law, including elements of various tort claims, defenses, privileges, and immunities. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200 or consent.

An introduction to administrative law concepts. Topics covered in the course will include, but not be limited to: delegation of authority to administrative agencies; limitations on agencies’ authority; due process of law in the administrative arena; informal versus formal agency actions; rule-making; FOIA; the Privacy Act; open meetings; adjudicative functions of agencies; Administrative Procedures Act; and judicial review. Practical application of the concepts studied will occur through the completion of exercises and drafting assignments. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200 or consent.

This course uses movies in the study of law and legal principles. By watching law-based films and reading related journal articles, we will discuss and analyze rules of civil and criminal procedure, rules of evidence, and rules of ethics. In addition, the broader legal and moral issues raised by the films will be discussed and studied. This course will also allow students to develop a heightened awareness of how depictions in popular culture can affect a society’s understanding and discourse concerning issues surrounding the law. Prerequisite: None.

An overview of capital punishment in America with specific application to Kansas. The course covers different philosophical and religious positions on the death penalty; pro and con arguments related to retribution, deterrence, and incapacitation; the relative costs of the death penalty vs. permanent incarceration; innocent people on death row, discrimination, and arbitrariness in the application of the death penalty; and the role of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, juries, and witnesses in death penalty cases. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200 or CJ 100 or consent.

Introduction to substantive criminal law and criminal procedure for the paralegal. Topics covered include elements of crimes against persons and property; burden of proof; defenses and constitutional protection; comparison of Kansas law with common law, federal law, and selected other states. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200 or CJ 100 or consent.

An overview of the Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct, which govern the practice of law in Kansas. Subjects covered include: ethics in the law office, unauthorized practice of law, advertising of legal services, contact with parties who are represented by counsel, impaired, lawyers, competency, professionalism, and fees for paralegal work. Complaints, disciplinary proceedings, and possible sanctions are covered. The role of the Kansas Supreme Court and the duties of attorneys under the rules are studied. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200 or consent.

Overview of contract law in relation to the formation of contracts, the Statute of Frauds, third-party beneficiary contracts, assignment of rights and delegation of duties, liability for breach of contract, termination, discharge and other related issues. Practical drafting projects are included. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200 or consent.

Legal Studies students pursuing the Bachelor of Legal Studies degree may enroll in an independent research project if approved by faculty in consultation with the Department Chair. Independent Study courses must meet equivalencies to Federal definition of a credit hour. Prerequisites: 6 hours of LG course work.

Selected topics which vary from semester to semester. Announced in advance. Prerequisite: Specified on each topic.

This course allows students from Washburn University to work collaboratively with the students from a partnering university outside the United States. Students will participate in a comparative analysis of international differences in law, the legal system, and litigation practices; and develop a better understanding of the cross-cultural significance of diversity in the legal system. Prerequisite: Consent.

Analysis of the steps involved in criminal procedure. Constitutional principles and limitations will be studied. Appropriate pleadings will be drafted relating to the various stages of a criminal trial. Advanced civil litigation topics will also be studied, such as class actions, complex litigation, and various settlement devices, including alternative dispute resolution modalities. Students will research and complete a comparative study of the criminal and civil litigation systems. Prerequisite: LG 305.

Acquaints students with the legal foundations for methods commonly used to collect delinquent accounts, as well as the terminology of bankruptcy practice, and the statutory framework of and proceedings under, the Bankruptcy Act. Prerequisite: LG 101 or LG 200, and LG 250 or consent

Special placement of a student in a law firm, agency, or other legal setting using paralegals. Specific learning objectives established for each placement. Internship consists of a minimum of 160 clock-hours of experience under the supervision of a practicing attorney or paralegal and university faculty, performing tasks appropriate to a paralegal in a professional setting. Pass/Fail only. This internship requires summative reflection, serving as a culminating experience for Bachelor's degree students. Prerequisite: Students must apply with the program director and be given consent to enroll.

Students who have completed all of their major course work (or who are concurrently enrolled in their final semester and completing their major course work) may enroll in the capstone course with the consent of the program director. Students will complete a self-assessment by completion of a portfolio, using the core competencies for the profession to determine if remedial work needs to be done in any area before graduation. In addition, students may participate in resume-writing, job interviewing skills and networking. Mock interviews may be scheduled for each student. Students will attend two different paralegal organization meetings and two court sessions. Report writing will be included. Ethics will be emphasized by the use of hypothetical situations which will be analyzed and discussed. Students must participate in at least one pro bono activity (i.e., serve as a witness or juror in mock trial or client counseling competitions at the law school or high schools; assist at the Washburn University Law Clinic; assist a not-for-profit organization in the provision of legal services and assistance to low-income individuals and/or children; or, any other approved volunteer effort). This Capstone requires summative reflection, serving as a culminating experience for Bachelor's degree students. Prerequisite: Consent