115 courses with the subject LAW, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
LAW 501Foundations of Law2
An introduction to the theological and philosophical foundations of law, including the Creator/creature distinction; the development of natural law thinking; the origins and jurisdictional boundaries of family, church and state; and the Biblical basis for the fundamental principles of civil procedure, tort law, criminal law, contract law, and property law which comprise the basic curriculum.
A study of the history of the development of the common law of contracts, and statutory variances from the common law, particularly the Uniform Commercial Code. It focuses on legal theories for enforcing promises or preventing unjust enrichment; and principles controlling the formation, modification, and enforceability of contracts.
A study of intentional torts against persons and property and the privileges thereto. It focuses on the basic principles of negligence and other standards of care.
A study of the fundamental precepts applicable to real and personal property. Aspects of real property covered are possessory estates and interests, as well as joint and concurrent ownership.
An introduction to the rules and principles that dictate the process by which civil disputes are resolved by courts. A study of the judicial process and of the relationship between the procedural and substantive law; pleadings; principles of jurisdiction, including jurisdiction over subject matter and persons, and service of process; and an introduction to the allocation of jurisdiction between the state and federal courts and the law to be applied in state courts and federal courts.
An introduction to the law library and basic legal research; interviewing clients; drafting basic pleadings; fundamentals of legal writing; fundamentals of statutory and case analysis; oral communication skills; drafting an objective memorandum of law.
An analysis of the basic principles of constitutional law, including the nature of a written constitution, the covenantal framework of the U.S. Constitution, the Marshall legacy and judicial review, theories of interpretation, and principles of interpretivism. Emphasis is given to the distribution of governmental powers in the federal system; separation of powers; the federal commerce, taxing, and foreign affairs powers; intergovernmental relations; due process; and equal protection.
An introduction to the general principles, sources, and purpose of criminal law, including the following doctrinal issues that apply to crimes in general: the act requirement, the mens rea requirement, causation, liability for attempted crimes, accomplice liability, defenses, and criminal code interpretation.
An introduction to the limitations imposed on law enforcement activities by the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution as applied to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment. The course considers the criminal justice process from investigation through arrest and initial court appearance.
An introduction to the law of evidence and the rules and principles governing its admission within the context of the adversarial trial system. Emphasis is placed upon mastering the Federal Rules of Evidence, examination and cross-examination of witnesses, functions of the judge and the jury, and burden of proof.
An examination of agency, partnership, and corporation concepts with emphasis on the rights and obligations of partners; and the formation, management, and operation of for-profit and nonprofit corporations.
A study of the authority and duties of lawyers in the practice of their profession as advocates, mediators, and counselors; and of their responsibility to the courts, to the bar, and to their clients, including a study of the various ABA standards of professional conduct.
A study of the basic devices in gratuitous transfers, including the will and trust; selected problems in class gifts, and will and trust substitutes; and social restrictions upon the power of testation, the formation of property interests, and the trust device.
An introduction to the many schools of jurisprudence. Jurisprudence is the study of legal philosophy. Particular emphasis is given to formulating principles of a distinctively Christian jurisprudence and on reading primary materials.
Law and economics as a jurisprudential theory seeks to apply neoclassic economics concepts to the law. Law and economics tends to be both positive (explaining rules in terms of economics concepts) and normative (arguing that legal rules should promote economic efficiency). This course considers a variety of subject areas in order to provide a critique of law and economics from the perspective of the distinct mission of Liberty University School of Law. Possible subject areas for consideration include: property, contracts, constitutional law, human rights, family law, tort law, criminal law, employment law, corporate law, securities regulation, and taxation.
An examination of the nature and meaning of the legal past, particularly the Western legal tradition, with a primary focus on the historical relationship between church and state; and the biblical and theological foundations of the Western legal tradition and the English Common Law heritage.
An introduction to the federal income tax system. Topics include items of inclusion and exclusion from gross income, deductions from gross income, capital gains and losses, basic tax accounting, and the identification of income to the appropriate taxpayer. The course gives consideration to the private attorney's role in administering the tax law and in advising clients on the interaction of the tax law with their businesses, investments, and personal activities. This course must be taken in the fall or spring semester of the student's second year or in the fall semester of the student's third year.
A general introduction to the nature and regulation of family associations. This course focuses on the relationships of husband and wife as well as parent and child. It addresses moral, legal, and biblical issues relating to marriage, divorce, and custody, including international and American developments involving same-sex unions.
This course covers substantive law relative to child advocacy and adoption likely to arise while engaged in practice in these areas of law. Topics covered may include substantive adoption law, adoption procedures and requirements, children’s special immigrant status, and substantive and procedural law relative to advocating for abused and neglected children.
A study of delinquency, deprivation, status offenses, and dependency in Juvenile Court. History of the Juvenile Court, development of children's rights, and trends in juvenile justice.
The course explores fundamental issues in adoption law from both international and domestic perspectives. It will examine on a comparative basis the legal relationship among children and families across continents and in the state. Students will understand the legal framework of adoption laws in states such as Virginia, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and a few selected states, as well as processes and procedures involving adoptions in general. Students will also learn, on a step-by-step basis, how adoption treaties in private international law are interpreted and applied in U.S. Courts. The course will further examine issues in assisted reproduction using reproductive technology. The learning process will involve practical hands-on approach including problem solving, case law review and analysis of domestic rules and procedures for the recognition of foreign judgments in U.S. courts.
A study of the principles, theory, and practice of accounting, finance, and auditing. The topics include the accounting equation and conceptual framework; recognition principles; inventory and the cost of goods sold; fixed assets and depreciation; liabilities; financial statements and financial analysis; valuation principles and techniques; audit practice; perspectives and the role of the lawyer in the preceding topics. This course is offered as an intensive.
A study of the Uniform Commercial Code with an emphasis on Articles 3, 4, and 9 covering general principles applicable to promissory notes and drafts, bank deposits and collections, and secured transactions.
This course includes the study of the state and federal law affecting nonprofit entities, churches and parachurch ministries. Topics covered include formation, exempt purposes, private inurement, board governance, compensation, fundraising and financial regulation, charitable contributions, lobbying, political activity, electioneering, unrelated business income, employment law, church-specific matters, and international law, activities and structure.
An introduction to the basic legal, business, and financial aspects of the entertainment industry including comparisons and contrasts between the motion picture, television, literary, music, and digital industries. In addition to covering general legal concepts relevant to the entertainment industry, students will achieve an understanding of selected topics and transactions germane to this area of law. Customs and practices within the entertainment industry and various legal scenarios will be examined.
A study of state constitutional law, with special attention given to the texts, history, nature, and interpretation of state constitutions; state constitutions in the federal system; state bills of rights as separate guarantees of individual rights; the distribution of powers among the separate branches of government; local government; taxing, borrowing, and spending; public education and state institutions; and the processes for amending state constitutions.
A survey of public international law, its nature, sources, and application. Addressed are: international agreements, international organizations, states and recognition, nationality and alien rights, territorial and maritime jurisdiction, state responsibility, and international claims including expropriation and the act of state doctrine, the laws of war, and the developing law of human rights.
An introduction to complex legal issues in international human rights, including a discussion of the Christian and secular views of the source of individual rights, survey of selected human rights concerns, examination and analysis of international human rights treaties, the role of international and regional human rights systems, non-governmental organizations, international decisions of tribunals and human rights courts, and prevention of human rights violations. Learning method will be through research and seminar-type presentations.
A study of selected international legal issues affecting or regulating multinational enterprise, foreign investment, the banking system, trade in goods and services, labor matters, intellectual property, sales transactions, transportation, and trade financing.
This course is an overview of immigration law and policy in the United States. Migration policy has long provoked controversy and has become even more contentious in the new era of homeland security since September 11, 2001. Immigration bills in Congress have been the subject of heated debates, particularly in recent years. However, to have a truly informed opinion on the subject, one must understand the history of immigration law in the United States, the statutory framework into which any new legislation must fit, and the legal process used to enforce U.S. immigration law. This course will examine federal immigration law and policy in a variety of its aspects--contemporary and historical, substantive and procedural, statutory and regulatory and constitutional--including the criteria for admission to the United States on a temporary or permanent basis, the grounds and process of deportation, the peculiar constitutional status of foreign nationals, the role of the courts in ensuring the legality of official action, and an introduction to refugee law.
This course involves the study of law, policy and litigation issues relating to stem cell and cloning research, abortion, reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization, and euthanasia. Course material includes case study, legislative and regulatory reviews, the reports of specialized task forces and professional panels and historic analysis. The course will also review litigations and policy developments in these respective areas.
A study of selected law skills involved in the public policy arena, drawn from the following areas: drafting legislation; drafting memoranda in support of legislation; planning and creating legal structures necessary to operate election campaigns, to comply with on-going campaign finance and disclosure laws, and to dissolve campaigns; planning and operating political campaigns and lobbying organizations; and complying with disclosure requirements by organizations that involve themselves in public policy matters.
An introduction to public policy that examines the effect of worldview on both the objects and means of creating public policy. The course will use substantive public policy, policy initiatives, bills, legislative history, case law, white papers, and public relation campaigns to provide an understanding of the various methods, tactics, and strategies used in transforming ideas into governing policy and will prepare students to analyze both the substance of public policy and the policy creation process.
A survey of statutory regulations applicable to the protection of the environment. Attention is directed to the role of the EPA and other administrative agencies in the development and implementation of environmental policy.
Disability Law takes a civil rights approach to studying laws relating to individuals with disabilities. The course examines American law that protects individuals with disabilities from irrational discrimination in the areas of employment, public accommodations (i.e., privately operated facilities open to the public), governmental services and programs, education (K-12), higher education, and housing. Students will study the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Fair Housing Act. This is not a course that takes a paternalistic approach to individuals with disabilities by studying programs that pay them benefits for their disabilities. Instead, the course focuses on how laws can unlock God-given potential by focusing on abilities and removing Man-created barriers.
A survey of common law and federal and state statutes regulating the relationship between an employer and an employee. Subjects include the hiring process, termination, terms and conditions of employment, disability unemployment, and retirement.
A selective examination of governmental regulation of the use of real estate and of the land development industry. It is fundamentally a course in applied Constitutional and administrative law. While it includes the law of nuisance, zoning, density, growth, and subdivision controls, it is a vehicle for exploring the public regulation of business behavior in general, including various strategies for deregulation.
A study of the law of judicial remedies, both legal and equitable, focusing on the nature and scope of relief as distinguished from substantive and procedural law. The four major categories of remedies are addressed: damages, including measurement issues for both compensatory and punitive damages, and limitations on the damages remedy; restitution, including measurement issues and issues related to rescission, constructive trust, and equitable lien; injunctions, including issues relating to requirements for obtaining preliminary and permanent injunctive; and declaratory relief, including ancillary remedies to effectuate the relief obtained, and legal and equitable defenses.
This course will emphasize practical and substantive issues of Virginia law that are common to everyday practice. Students will be expected to apply Virginia law to articulate answers to common legal issues that arise in Virginia practice. The course includes a writing component.
This course covers Virginia civil procedural law for both law and equitable claims, including applicable statutes, rules of court and cases interpreting the statutes and rules. Appellate procedure for both the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia are covered.
A study of the regulation of the insurance business, insurable interest, the insurance contract, the interests protected by contracts of insurance, construction of policies, rights under the policies, subrogation; and processing of claims and suits for insureds, claimants, and insurers.
An introduction to the establishment and management of a law office. It is designed to prepare the student for entry into the private practice of law, including ethical and personal pressures related to private law practice.
The course will undertake a selective examination of real estate disputes for litigation or transactional oriented future attorney-practitioners. The planning of real estate transactions is enhanced with a view toward the pitfalls of litigation in mind. An emphasis will be on the common disputes a practitioner typically handles during their career: disputes related to landlord-tenant, common interest communities, the real estate purchase-sale contract, and foreclosures.
This course requires research of unique legal issues, preparation of an appellate brief, preparation of at least two oral arguments, and participation in an intercollegiate moot court tournament. Successful completion of the course will be determined by the Moot Court Faculty Advisor based on the student's preparation for the tournament and demonstrated competence in both the written and oral skills. Only two credits for LAW 832 may count toward the credits required for graduation.
Team members will engage in an intense study of trial strategy and preparation, direct and cross examination, opening statements and closing arguments, pretrial motions, arguing and opposing objections, and all aspects of trial advocacy. Team members will be chosen to compete in state, regional, and national trial competitions. Only two credits for LAW 833 may count toward the credits required for graduation.
A supervised research and writing course that covers subject matter comparable to that in other academic activities with minimum faculty guidance. Guidelines are published in the Academic Standards Policies and Procedures.
Participation in law review activities in the fall semester includes writing a note or comment judged to meet the acceptable or publishable standard, editing student written notes and comments, editing articles and other scholarly legal writings, and performing other editorial and staff duties pursuant to the Liberty University Law Review Constitution.
Advanced Bar Studies is a skills development course that provides students with an intensive substantive review of selected legal material routinely tested on the bar examination. The course uses problems and exercises in a bar examination format to familiarize students with techniques for answering bar examination multiple choice questions.
Advanced Research and Writing provides advanced instruction in legal research techniques and hones the writing skills learned in LS I and II. Students will draft a variety of common, legal documents used in litigation and transactional work.
