POLI 2192: Essentials of the United States Legal System (Section GHM)

Abstract

Course Description: Through this survey course students will be introduced to the fundamentals of our legal system including the derivation of law (common law and statutory) and the role of the judiciary in interpreting the law. Students will also gain a familiarity and understanding of the structure of the U.S. legal system at both the state and federal level, including an understanding as to which court system disputes should be brought to and why. Fact patterns will be used to demonstrate how a case progresses from the filing of a complaint, preliminary motions and answers, discovery (depositions, document requests), trial and appeals. Although the course will focus primarily on civil procedure, students will be introduced to the basic concepts of criminal procedure as well. Students will also be introduced to various concepts imbedded in our legal system including federal and state regulatory agencies and their jurisdiction, alternative dispute resolution (arbitration and mediation, including the Beit Din), class actions, discovery (subpoenas and depositions), the concept of privilege and its protections (attorney/client, doctor/patient, spousal communications) and waiver of privilege. We will also discuss the impact of social media on litigation, as well as data privacy laws and the internet. There will also likely be a number of guest lecturers who are experts in their respective fields who will be making presentations to the class over the course of the semester. Legal issues in the news, as appropriate, will also be discussed. Finally, as a part of the course, students will have the opportunity to observe live court proceedings in the federal and state courts in Manhattan.