First year curriculum and course descriptions

First-year Curriculum Course Descriptions

Civil Procedure (Fall: CIVL-100, 4 credits)

Due process, personal jurisdiction, subject matter jurisdiction, and venue. Pleading, dispositive motion practice, discovery, and other critical aspects of practice under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Parties and the dimensions of a dispute.

Constitutional Law I (Spring; CNLW-100, 3 credits)

This course introduces students to the Constitution and constitutional interpretation and focuses primarily on the structures of government and the functions of each branches Topics often include judicial review and the nature of the judicial power; federalism, Congress's powers, and the power of the states to regulate economic activity; and the separation of powers, the rise of the administrative state, and the powers of the Presidency.

Contracts (Fall: CONT-100, 4 credits)

Enforceable agreements, including requirements for the formation of a contract; problems of interpretation; consideration and its equivalents; damages for breach; the statue of frauds; illegality; rights and liabilities of third parties; delegation of contractual duties.

Criminal Law (Summer or Spring: CRIM-100, 4 credits)

Substantive criminal law and elements of criminal responsibility. Topics include law of homicide and other crimes; determination of guilt; principles of justification, including the insanity defense.

Foundations of Legal Study (Fall: LPRC-100, 0.5 credits. Spring: LPRC-105, 0.5 credits)

This required course will help students develop the mindsets and academic and exam taking skills essential for success in law school and on the bar exam. The course content and assessments will be closely linked to a first-year substantive law course, such as Civil Procedure or Property.

Legal Writing, Skills, & Values (Fall: WRIT-100, 2.5 credits. Spring: WRIT-105, 3.5 credits)

Intensive, small-group instruction in the basics of legal research, reading, analysis, and writing. To locate and read statutes and cases construct factual and policy arguments, analyze and synthesize cases, and write effective legal memos and client letters.

Property (Spring: PROP-100, 4 credits)

Law of real and personal property, emphasizing real estate. Creation and transfer of property interest; relationship between landlord and tenant; public and private controls of land use; common law estates and future interests.

Torts (Fall: TORT-100, 4 credits)

Nature, historical development, social and economic elements, and consequences of the body of law defining noncontractual civil obligations by which the legal system shifts the economic burden of various injuries. Study of liability for physical harm, defamation, and other relational harm.

All first-year courses are required. Flex JD students take the same first-year curriculum during their first and second years of law school For more information on the Flex JD curriculum, see Flex JD Curriculum.

Information on the first year curriculum prior to Fall 2024 can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.