Listed below are the course descriptions for the Legal Studies courses at Maryville University. Please note that our Special Studies course is meant to enable our instructors to respond to the needs of students in offering a special topic. Courses offered as a Special Studies include Sports Law, Entertainment Law, Medical Malpractice, Worker's Compensation, and Business Organizations. Students are surveyed annually to determine what
their area of interests are and
what electives they would like
to see offered in the program.
Course Descriptions
• LEGL 101 - INTRODUCTION TO LAW
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Credits: Three
This general introductory course is for students interested in the study of law and those entering the Legal Studies program. The course includes an introduction to the American legal system with emphasis on the organization of the federal and state government and court systems, and the procedural steps involved in litigating a dispute. Students will be introduced to legal ethics, legal research, critical thinking and legal reasoning skills. The role of paralegals will be examined. The course also surveys substantive areas of law including torts, contracts, property law, business organizations, estate planning, family law and criminal law and procedure.
• LEGL 105 - LEGAL ETHICS, INTERVIEWING & INVESTIGATION
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: LEGL 101
This course provides a clear understanding of the concepts and rules that govern the practice of legal ethics. Students will examine the ethical rules promulgated for the practice of law and their relevance to paralegals. The course includes the study of ethical rules developed by the American Bar Association, the State of Missouri, the State of Illinois, and Paralegal Associations. This course also introduces students to the basics of interviewing and investigation. Issues covered include establishing rapport with clients, questioning techniques, witness interviews, and finding and preserving information. Through mock exercises, students will interview and investigate in various legal settings.
• LEGL 301 - LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING I
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: Prerequisite of C+ or better in ENGL 101 and/or ENGL 104, Otherwise successful completion of LEGL 201 01 with no lower than a “C” before admission to this course. A personal computer is recommended but not required.
An introduction to the methods of legal research, students will become familiar with, and be able to locate and effectively use the primary and secondary sources of law including statutes, reports, digests, and encyclopedias. Computerized research, including Westlaw, will be introduced as well as proper citation forms. Students will learn skills necessary to, under the supervision of an attorney, create basic legal research strategies, perform necessary research, and communicate their findings in a proper written format.
• LEGL 302 - LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING II
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: LEGL 101, LEGL 301, and ENGL 104
This course continues the development of skills learned in LEGL 301. Students will learn the critical thinking, organizational, and communications skills necessary to undertake, with the supervision of an attorney, the legal research and preparation of memoranda and briefs.
• LEGL 303 - CIVIL LITIGATION
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: LEGL 101
This intermediate-level class focuses on the civil litigation process and alternative dispute resolution. Every stage of a law- suit including drafting petitions, pleadings, written discovery, depositions, trials, and appeals is covered. Federal and local Missouri rules and their implications will be discussed also.
• LEGL 304 - LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: LEGL 101
This course covers the theory and practical aspects of law office management, including the functions of management, basic administrative procedures, basic principles of legal finance, facilities management, human resource management, legal record keeping and administrative ethics, and leadership skills. Students will develop an understanding of the fundamentals of legal administration and will learn to apply them in a law office/firm setting. In addition, the course is designed to equip students to better comprehend the business processes of decision-making, problem solving, and those inter-personal communications skills that are often misunderstood by those with little or no experience in the legal profession.
• LEGL 310 - DOMESTIC LAW
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: LEGL 101, LEGL 303 is recommended, but not required.
An examination of the legal aspects of marriage, annulment, divorce, custody and support, adoption and domestic violence, along with the preparation of corresponding documents.
• LEGL 311 - CRIMINAL LAW
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Credits: Three
This course will examine substantive criminal law and the elements of specific crimes including crimes against persons and property. Students also will be introduced to the sources of criminal procedural law and the steps involved in a prosecution. Defenses and immunities to crimes will be discussed also.
• LEGL 313 - TORTS AND REMEDIES
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: LEGL-101, LEGL 303 is recommended but not required.
This course will introduce the substantive law of torts and remedies including intentional and quasi-intentional torts, negligence, strict liability and workers compensation. Defenses, privileges, and immunities also will be studied. The course also will focus on the duties of interviewing, investigation, file management, liaison duties, and trial support for common personal injury litigation, for both paralegals and others interested in the Legal field.
• LEGL 314 - ESTATE PLANNING
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: LEGL 101
This course studies basic laws relating to wills, probate, trusts, administration of decedents estates, and administrators responsibilities. Students will be introduced to the concepts and forms necessary for estate planning, the drafting of wills and trusts, non-probate transfer laws, Powers of Attorney, Guardianships & Conservatorships and estate administration.
• LEGL 316 - BANKRUPTCY
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: LEGL 101
Studies the various forms of bankruptcies, the procedures involved, and the rights and protections provided to both debtor and creditor.
• LEGL 317 - REAL ESTATE
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: LEGL 101
This course familiarizes the student with aspects of real property ownership and transfer including deeds, mortgages, easements, liens, landlord/tenant relations, and eviction procedures. Students will learn to draft real estate documents and proper filing procedures.
• LEGL 319 - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: LEGL 101
The course will acquaint students with the fundamentals of intellectual property (“IP”) law. Students will be introduced to the four primary fields within intellectual property: trademarks, copyrights, patents and trade secrets. Students will further be introduced to emerging IP topics and other developments in the IP fields.
• LEGL 320 - TECHNOLOGY & THE LAW
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: LEGL 101 and ISYS 100, Personal Computer recommended but not required
As a future member of a legal team, being able to understand digital evidence is a must. This class will introduce you to e-Discovery issues, terms, and technologies. This class will teach the fundamentals of managing electronic cases from pre-Discovery to trial. It will include how to avoid spoilation and sanctions, how to find and review ESI, and changes to the rules of civil procedure that govern e-discovery.
LEGL 350 - EMPLOYMENT LAW
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: None
This class focuses on the laws that have the greates impact on the behavioral relationships between employers and employees. The common law employee at will doctrine will be discussed as well as many statutory requirements of fair employment practices that promote equal opportunities for all employees. This course introduces such topics as workers' compensation, workplace torts, discrimination, wage and hour issues, OSHA and other federal employment laws. Students will draft an employee handbook, prepare documents for responses to the EEOC, study record retention policies and learn about employment discrimination trials, mediations and arbitrations.
• LEGL 403 - ADVANCED CIVIL LITIGATION
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: LEGL 101 and LEGL 303
This is an advanced level class covering the civil litigation process. The course will target specific phases of a lawsuit including the work product rule, summary judgment practice, jury instructions, and appellate practice. The Missouri Supreme Court Rules and selected Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and their unique implications will also be discussed.
• LEGL 450 - LAW IN ST LOUIS
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: LEGL 101
This course introduces students to a wide variety of law and government related settings in and around the St. Louis metropolitan area. Through site visits and guest speakers, students will learn the role, jurisdiction, and operating procedures for local, state and federal courts, the purpose of other government agencies including the Recorder of Deeds, Assessor, and Prosecuting Attorney, the manner in which local governments operate, and the role that private law firms and not-for-profit agencies play in the legal system.
• LEGL 460 - ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY
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Credits: Three
A survey of local, state and federal laws regulating air, water and pesticide pollution, and hazardous materials; an examination of the laws related to the development of environmental standards and environmental impact statements; a discussion of local, state and federal policies for protecting natural resources.
• LEGL 470 - JUVENILE LEGAL EXPERIENCE
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Credits: Four
Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status and selection by interview with faculty
Students will be trained to work with attorneys in the role of Guardian Ad Litem. The class will be assigned real cases from the court. They will work under the direct supervision of an attorney and licensed psychologist.
• LEGL 495 - LEGAL INTERNSHIP
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Credits: Variable between 3 and 12
The internship will be with a local court, law firm or governmental agency. Students will be exposed to the practice of law to help discern their interest in pursuing a career in law. Classroom work and the development of a portfolio will also be required.
Note: The course credits from this class do not apply to the Legal Studies Major. This course is specifically designed for pre-law students. As such, it is open to all majors.
• LEGL 497 - SPECIAL STUDIES
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: LEGL 101
Courses on special topics may be offered by faculty in the legal studies department. Courses may include Administrative Law, Employment Discrimination, Technical Writing, Income Tax, Education Law, Immigration Law, or other specialized areas of interest.
• LEGL 498 - SEMINAR
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Credits: Three
Prerequisite: Completion of all requirements for Legal,Studies degree with Paralegal concentration, except LEGL 499
This is a capstone course for senior paralegal students. Using the American Association for Paralegal Education’s Core Competencies For Paralegals, students will identify areas of knowledge and skill which need further development. Students will complete a portfolio that contains examples of the student’s work. This portfolio should demonstrate the ability to conduct legal research, interview, investigate, communicate effectively, and apply recognized legal authority to specific fact situations. Students must demonstrate an ability to recognize and resolve ethical problems that may occur in the legal environment. Also, students must complete a resume’.
• LEGL 499 - PARALEGAL INTERNSHIP
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Credits: Variable between 3 and 12
Prerequisite: Completion of all paralegal requirements or permission of the Program Director
This course provides the student with an opportunity to gain practical work experience, under the supervision of an attorney, through on-site office work in an attorneys office, corporate or government legal department or other appropriate legal setting where he or she will perform legal and administrative duties appropriate to the paralegal field. The students must complete 40 hours of work at the internship site for every credit hour received. The internship normally will occur in the final year of the students program and can be waived if the student has paralegal experience.
Note: Assistance from the Program Director will be provided in locating an internship.
