ACE Introduction to Law (3 Semester Credits) – Course Syllabus
Description:
This course creates an awareness and appreciation for the effect that law has on virtually every facet of modern life and society. Introduction to Law begins with a detailed look at the organization of the U.S. system of government. Students examine each of the primary substantive areas of law with realistic learning activities, relevant ethical considerations and easy-to-understand judicial opinions that reinforce topics. From fundamental concepts to emerging legal topics, Introduction to Law, presents the terminology, principles, and cases that are impacting society, and many professions today.
Textbook: Introduction to Law, 7th Ed. - Beth Walston-Dunham, J.D. – ISBN: 9781305948679
(This text is provided to students as part of their enrollment.)
Prerequisites: No prerequisites
Course objectives:
Throughout the course, you will meet the following goals:
- Explain the role of political theories in the current system of American government.
- Describe the function of each branch of government under the Constitution.
- Understand the structure of the U.S. Judicial System.
- Describe the skills that a qualified paralegal is expected to have.
- Discuss the various members of the legal team and their duties.
- Understand how Law and Ethics are Interrelated.
Course Evaluation Criteria
A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
Grading Scale
A = 95-100%
B = 88-94.9%
C = 80-87.9%
D = 70-79.9%
F = Below 70%
ACE Course Retake Policy
2 (two) attempts are allowed on every quiz, and 2 (two) attempts are allowed on every final exam.
Proctorio – Video Proctoring
All Final Exams are video proctored with Proctorio. (www.proctorio.com)
ADA Policy
Excel Education Systems is committed to maintaining an inclusive and accessible environment to all students, across all of its schools, in accordance with the 1990 Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
There is a total of 290 points in this course:
Grade Weighting
Chapter Quizzes 70%
Final Exam 30%
100%
Assessment | Points Available | Percentage of Final Grade |
Chapter 1 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 2 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 3 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 4 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 5 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 6 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 7 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 8 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 9 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 10 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 11 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 12 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 13 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 14 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 15 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Chapter 16 Quiz | 15 | 4.375 |
Final Exam | 50 | 30 |
Total | 290 | 100 |
Course Contents and Objectives
Chapter 1 – The Historical Basis and Current Structure of the American Legal System | |
Lessons | 1.1 The Historical Basis of American Law
· Before the Government · The Results of the Revolution · The Influence of Political Theories · Balance as the Key to Success 1.2 The Modern Legal System · The Sources of Law · The Hierarchy of Law · Exception to the Rule of Hierarchy |
Objectives |
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Chapter 2 – The Courts | |
Lessons | 2.1 The Purpose and Effect of Judicial Law
· Characteristics of Judicial Law · Clarification of the Law · Protection of the Law 2.2 The Structure of the Judicial System · Trial versus Appellate Courts · The Federal Court System · The U.S. District Courts · Special Federal Courts · The U.S. Courts of Appeals · The U.S. Supreme Court 2.3 The State Court System 2.4 The Process of Legal Analysis · Legal Analysis of Case Law (Judicial Opinions) · The Facts · The Legal Issue · The Law · The Rule · Statutory and Administrative Analysis · Application of Legal Analysis |
Objectives |
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Chapter 3 - Legislation | |
Lessons | 3.1 The Legislative Branch
3.2 The Purpose of Legislation 3.3 The Legislative Process · The Path from Concept to Law · Constitutional Amendments · The Function of Lobbyists · Public Hearings and Sessions · Publication of Legislation 3.4 Legislation and Judicial Review |
Objectives |
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Chapter 4 - The Executive Branch and Administrative Authority | |
Lessons | 4.1 The Executive Branch
· Changes in the Electoral Process · Powers and Authority of the President · The Role of the President, Then and Now 4.2 Administrative Agencies · The Role of the Administrative Agency · The Creation of an Administrative Agency · The Delegation Doctrine · Agencies Today · The Operation of an Administrative Agency · Authority of Administrative Agencies |
Objectives |
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Chapter 5 – Substantive and Procedural Issues | |
Lessons | 5.1 Substantive and Procedural Issues
· The Difference between Civil and Criminal Law 5.2 Substantive versus Procedural Law · Substantive Law · Procedural Law · The Common Ground 5.3 The Creation and Application of Civil Procedure Law · Creating Laws of Procedure · Types of Procedural Law 5.4 Rules of Civil Procedure · Pretrial Proceedings · Stages of Trial · Rules of Evidence · Rules of Appellate Procedure · Appellate Procedure |
Objectives |
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Chapter 6 - Jurisdiction | |
Lessons | 6.1 Types of Jurisdiction
· Subject Matter Jurisdiction · Jurisdiction in Personam (Personal Jurisdiction) · In Rem and Quasi in Rem Jurisdictions 6.2 Federal Jurisdiction · Federal Question · The United States as a Party · Diversity of Citizenship · Removal and Remand 6.3 Other Jurisdictional Considerations · Corporations · Venue · Forum Non Conveniens 6.4 Establishing Jurisdiction |
Objectives |
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Chapter 7 – The Legal Professional | |
Lessons | 7.1 Who Are Today’s Legal Professionals?
· Judges · Lawyers · Paralegals · Law Office Administrators · Support Personnel · Quasi-Legal Professionals 7.2 The Newest Professional in the Legal Arena: The Paralegal · The Paralegal as a Member of the Legal Team · Development of the Paralegal Profession · Current Defining Standards of Competence |
Objectives |
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Chapter 8 – The Law of Ethics | |
Lessons | 8.1 How Law and Ethics Interrelate
· Legal Ethics and Their Impact on Professionals · Ethical Standards · Ethical Canons and Rules · Competency · Confidentiality · Conflict of Interest · Commitment to Zealous Representation 8.2 The Result of Ethical Violations |
Objectives |
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Chapter 9 – Torts | |
Lessons | 9.1 What Is a Tort?
9.2 The Development of Tort Law · Trespass and Trespass on the Case · Liability of Parties · Increase in Tort Claims 9.3 Terminology in Torts 9.4 Negligence · The Concept of Duty · Range of Possible Injury · Degree of Duty · The Standard of Care · Proximate Cause · Damage · Res Ipsa Loquitur 9.5 Strict Liability 9.6 Intentional Torts · Assault · Battery · False Imprisonment · Trespass · Fraud · Defamation · Emotional Distress · Special Damages Awarded for Intentional Torts 9.7 Product Liability · Causes of Action · Defenses · Statute of Limitations 9.8 Employment and Torts · Employer–Employee Relationship · Statutes Governing the Employment Relationships Involved in Tort Actions · Employer Liability Laws · Discrimination Issues 9.9 Medical Malpractice 9.10 Effects of Electronic Communications on Modern Tort Law 9.11 Tort Defenses · Contributory and Comparative Negligence · Assumption of Risk · Last Clear Chance · Intentional Tort Defenses 9.12 Damages in Tort Actions |
Objectives |
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Chapter 10 – Family Law | |
Lessons | 10.1 Marriage and Annulment
· Antenuptial (Prenuptial) Agreements · Requirements for Marriage · Annulment · Common Law Marriage · The Marriage Relationship · Effects of Tort and Criminal Law on Domestic Relations 10.2 Ending the Marital Relationship · Jurisdiction · Grounds for Dissolution of a Marriage · Legal Separation · Temporary Orders 10.3 Custody · Who Gets Custody? · Joint Custody · Enforcement of Custody Orders 10.4 Child Support · Child-Support Guidelines · Modification of Support · Failure to Pay 10.5 Visitation 10.6 Property and Debt Division · Separate Property · Community Property · Pensions and Employee Benefit Programs · Marital Debts 10.7 Maintenance (Alimony or Spousal Support) 10.8 Nontraditional Marital Relationships 10.9 Reproductive Law · Paternity · Adoption · Fertility and Surrogacy |
Objectives |
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Chapter 11 – Estates and Probate | |
Lessons | 11.1 What Is Probate and Estate Law?
11.2 The Function of the Probate Courts 11.3 Intestate Succession 11.4 Testate Succession · Requirements of a Valid Will · Will Codicils and Will Revocation · Will Contests 11.5 Probate of Estates |
Objectives |
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Chapter 13 – The Law of Contracts | |
Lessons | 13.1 Elements of a Valid Contract
· At Least Two Parties · Parties Who Have Legal Capacity · Manifestation of Assent by All Parties · Consideration That Supports a Legal and Enforceable Promise 13.2 Third-Party Involvement in Contracts · Third-Party Contracts · Assignment and Delegation 13.3 Problems in Creating or Enforcing the Contract · Terms of the Contract · Unconscionable Contracts · Fraud in Contracts · Statute of Frauds 13.4 · Defenses to an Allegation of Breach of Contract 13.5 Remedies for Breach of Contract |
Objectives |
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Chapter 14 – The Law of Business | |
Lessons | 14.1 Agency
· Creation of the Agency Relationship · Agent’s Duties · Principal’s Duties · Types of Authority · Respondeat Superior 14.2 Sole Proprietorships 14.3 Partnerships · The Nature of Partnerships · Characteristics of a Partnership · Limited Partnerships · The Relationship of Partners · Partnership Property · The Life of a Partnership · Partnership Dealings with Third Parties · Termination or Dissolution 14.4 Corporations · Corporate Characteristics · Creating a Corporation · Types of Corporate Status · Personal Corporations, Close Corporations, and Limited Liability Companies · Piercing the Corporate Veil · Corporate Stock · The Corporate Existence · Voting by Shareholders · Rights of Shareholders · Corporate Actions · Dissolution of the Corporation · Bankruptcy 14.5 Negotiable Instruments |
Objectives |
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Chapter 15 – Criminal Law | |
Lessons | 15.1 Definitions and Categories of Crime
· Categories of Crime · Definition of Crime and the Elements of Criminal Conduct 15.2 Parties to Crime · Principal in the First Degree · Principal in the Second Degree · Accessory before the Fact · Accessory after the Fact · Parties to Crime under the Model Penal Code 15.3 Elements of Serious Crimes · Inchoate Offenses · Miscellaneous Offenses · Felony Crimes · Electronic Media and Crime 15.4 Punishment 15.5 White-Collar Crime 15.6 Defenses to Charges of Criminal Conduct · Common Defenses · The Insanity Defense |
Objectives |
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Chapter 15 – Criminal Law | |
Lessons | 15.1 Definitions and Categories of Crime
· Categories of Crime · Definition of Crime and the Elements of Criminal Conduct 15.2 Parties to Crime · Principal in the First Degree · Principal in the Second Degree · Accessory before the Fact · Accessory after the Fact · Parties to Crime under the Model Penal Code 15.3 Elements of Serious Crimes · Inchoate Offenses · Miscellaneous Offenses · Felony Crimes · Electronic Media and Crime 15.4 Punishment 15.5 White-Collar Crime 15.6 Defenses to Charges of Criminal Conduct · Common Defenses · The Insanity Defense |
Objectives |
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Chapter 16 – Criminal Procedure | |
Lessons | 16.1 Criminal Procedure and the Constitution
· The Approach of the U.S. Supreme Court · The Fourteenth Amendment: Due Process · The Fourth Amendment: Search and Seizure · The Fifth Amendment: Double Jeopardy and Self-Incrimination · The Sixth Amendment: Speedy Trial, Impartial Jury, and Confrontation · The Eighth Amendment: Bail and Cruel and Unusual Punishment 16.2 Stages of Criminal Procedure · Pre-Arrest · Arrest and Interrogation · Bail · Preliminary Hearing and Arraignment · Trial, Appeal, and Sentencing |
Objectives |
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ACE Introduction to Law (3 Semester Credits)