Course Description
Introduces M.S.L. students to core concepts within the American legal system and prepares them for courses in law school. Coverage includes the structure of the American government, sources of American law, judicial and court processes, legal reasoning, the role of the lawyer, and other foundational legal issues.
Athena Title
Legal System of the U.S.
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in JURI 6501E
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The primary objective of this intensive course is to equip new masters' students with an understanding of the foundations in the American legal system. This will provide them the intellectual building blocks for their subject matters study in an individually designed program drawing on the existing law school offerings.
Topical Outline
1. Structure of American government 2. Sources of American law 3. Judicial and legal processes 4. Legal reasoning 5. The role of the lawyer 6. Foundations of the common law