Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 11/28/00
LAS101 20012-20035	LEC	3 Credit(s)	3 Period(s)
Introduction to Law
Legal terminology and basic legal principles in the areas of tort, contract, and criminal law. Interrelationships among lawyers, the court system, and law enforcement and administrative agencies. Development of a case for trial, adjudication, and post-verdict procedures in the civil and criminal systems. Prerequisites: None. Suggested but not required: ENG101 and CRE101, or exemption by score on the reading placement test (ASSET).

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
LAS101   20012-20035	Introduction to Law

1.	Describe the sources and philosophical origins of law. (I)
2.	Describe the various court systems (federal and state) and their duties. (II)
3.	Analyze constitutional, statutory and doctrinal limitations on courts. (III)
4.	Discuss the various roles lawyers and paralegals assume. (IV)
5.	Identify, analyze, and compare the functions of law enforcement and administrative agencies. (V)
6.	Discuss critical issues facing lawyers, paralegals, the courts, and law enforcement and administrative agencies. (VI)
7.	Analyze the interrelationships among lawyers, paralegals, the courts, and law enforcement and administrative agencies. (VII)
8.	Identify and analyze the conflicts in goals and ideologies among lawyers, paralegals, the courts, and law enforcement and administrative agencies. (VIII)
9.	Describe the various stages of litigation. (IX)
10.	Identify fundamental legal principles in the areas of business, property, tort, and criminal law. (X)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
LAS101   20012-20035	Introduction to Law

I. Sources and philosophical origins of the law A. Sources of law 1. Common law 2. Statutes 3. Case law 4. Constitution B. Philosophical origins 1. Naturalism 2. Realism 3. Positivism 4. Utilitarianism II. Organization and duties of the courts A. Federal courts 1. U.S. Magistrate courts 2. District courts 3. Courts of Appeals 4. U.S. Supreme Court B. State courts 1. Justice of the Peace 2. Municipal courts 3. Trial courts 4. Appellate courts 5. Supreme court III. Constitutional, statutory and doctrinal limitations on courts A. Federal and state courts 1. Size 2. Composition 3. Location B. Stare decisis C. Jurisdictional limitations IV. Roles of attorneys and paralegals A. Advocates B. Counselor C. Teacher D. Investigator V. Functions of law enforcement and administrative agencies A. Rule-making B. Rule interpretation C. Rule enforcement D. Applying sanctions VI. Critical issues in the legal system A. Lawyers and paralegals B. Courts C. Law enforcement and administrative agencies VII. Interrelationships among actors within the legal system A. Lawyers and the courts B. Lawyers and law enforcement/administrative agencies C. Courts and law enforcement/administrative agencies VIII. Conflicts in ideologies and goals A. Lawyers and the courts B. Lawyers and law enforcement/administrative agencies C. Courts and law enforcement/administrative agencies IX. Stages of litigation A. Pretrial 1. Taking the case 2. Discovery 3. Pretrial criminal procedures 4. Negotiations 5. Default and summary judgements B. Trial 1. Jury selection 2. Opening and closing statements 3. Cross-examination C. Post-trial 1. Motion for new trial; Motion for Judgement Notwithstanding the Verdict (JNOV) 2. Appeals 3. Writ of habeas corpus X. Fundamental legal principles A. Business law B. Property law C. Tort law D. Criminal law

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