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ADMISSIONS > Courses >
The first-year curriculum provides an essential foundation for subsequent legal study. First-year students take three or four courses each semester, as well as the Legal Research, Writing and Advocacy course in the fall and the Gordon Johnson Moot Court Program in the spring. Civil Procedure I, Contracts, Criminal Law, Property and Torts constitute the first-year curriculum's required courses. In addition, first-year students may take two elective courses in the spring semester from the upper division curriculum.
Of the courses taken in the first year, most are taught in classes of 60 to 120 students, and one is taught in a small section of 25 to 30 students.
The following courses are required for first-year law students:
Civil Procedure I
This course covers the main stages of civil litigation in the trial court, including pleading, discovery, summary judgment, right to jury trial, motions for judgment as a matter of law, joinder of parties and claims, and claim and issue preclusion.
Contracts
The law of contracts, including formation, performance, remedies and termination, is discussed in this course.
Criminal Law
This class is an introduction to criminal law with primary emphasis on the general principles of criminal liability.
Legal Research and Writing/Written and Oral Advocacy
Instruction in legal research and writing is given during the fall semester. Members of the class participate in Written and Oral Advocacy in the spring.
For more information, please visit the Legal Research and Writing/Written and Oral Advocacy website.
To learn more about the Moot Court program, please visit the Moot Court Board website.
Property
This course provides an introduction to the topics involved in the law of property, including adverse possession, possessory estates in land, future interests, marital property, landlord-tenant law, concurrent estates, easements and covenants, and land-use planning. Special attention is given to environmental and intellectual property issues.
Torts
This course covers the law of civil injuries, including both intended and unintended interference with personal and property interests, as well as liability without fault.
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