Courses
LEGL A101 Introduction to Law 3 Credits
Introduces legal processes in a democratic society. Emphasis on legal terminology, federal and state court systems, and judicial decision making. Introduction to basic concepts of contracts, property, torts, criminal law, family law, alternate dispute resolution and administrative law. Includes skills for conducting basic legal analysis.
Attributes: UAA Social Sciences GER.
LEGL A215 Legal Ethics and the Role of the Legal Professional 3 Credits
Studies legal ethics and the non-lawyer professional's role in a law office, corporate or public interest legal department, or government agency. Explores nature, scope and ethics of legal practice and the relationship of non-lawyer staff to lawyers, clients, the court system and the public. Emphasizes legal practice in Alaska and the rules governing the unauthorized practice of law. Introduces foundational practice skills and principles of legal research and writing. Emphasizes professional skills development. Legal specialty course.
LEGL A235 Wrongful Convictions 3 Credits
Explores the systematic flaws in the criminal justice system that lead to wrongful convictions. Explains the phenomena of inaccurate eyewitness identification, confirmation bias, unreliable forensic science, and false confessions within the criminal justice system, and how such occurrences may cascade towards a wrongful conviction.
Prerequisites: JUST A110 with a minimum grade of C or LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A102 with a minimum grade of C or SWK A106 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A290 Selected Topics in Legal Studies 1-3 Credits
Addresses selected historical and contemporary legal studies issues of broad public interest. Course topics focus broadly on connections between the law and society.
Special Note: Appropriate for students with limited or no prior legal studies courses. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits with change in subtitle.
LEGL A312 Race, Equal Protection and the Law 3 Credits
Examines how the law in the United States both shapes and reacts to questions of race, and provides comparative analysis with respect to other legally protected classifications. Topics include slavery and its abolishment, racial discrimination and affirmative action, voting rights, American Indian and Alaska Native rights, gender discrimination, and the rights of immigrants and the disabled.
Registration Restrictions: Junior or senior standing
LEGL A315 Law, History and Social Change 3 Credits
Examines the interplay between American law and society. Explores the influence of changes in social, political, and economic conditions on the lawmaking process in the United States from colonial times to the present. Analyzes the corresponding impact of significant legislation and judicial decisions on American life, politics and culture.
Registration Restrictions: Completion of Written Communication Skills GER for baccalaureate degrees with a minimum grade of D.
Prerequisites: HIST A131 with a minimum grade of D or HIST A132 with a minimum grade of D or JUST A110 with a minimum grade of D or LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of D or PS A101 with a minimum grade of D or SOC A101 with a minimum grade of D.
LEGL A340 Family Law 3 Credits
Studies federal and state statutes and judicial doctrines governing familial relationships. Emphasis on marriage, divorce, child custody, support, property rights, adoption and child protection. Explores the impact of the Indian Child Welfare Act in Alaska family law.
Prerequisites: HIST A131 with a minimum grade of C or HIST A132 with a minimum grade of C or HUMS A225 with a minimum grade of C or JUST A110 with a minimum grade of C or LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A102 with a minimum grade of C or SOC A101 with a minimum grade of C or SWK A206 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A343 Constitutional Law 3 Credits
Introduces students to American constitutional law through a study of the history of the Constitution and selected landmark Supreme Court cases. Topics covered are separation of powers, judicial review, civil rights and liberties, property and economic rights, and others.
Crosslisted With: PS A343.
Prerequisites: JUST A110 with a minimum grade of C or LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A101 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A352 Criminal Law: Murder, Robbery, and Other Crimes 3 Credits
Examines elements and functions of substantive criminal law together with constitutional, statutory and rules-based limits on law enforcement in the United States. Includes federal and state law of crimes, defenses, and sentencing. Emphasis on Alaska law.
Registration Restrictions: LEGL A215 recommended
Prerequisites: JUST A110 with a minimum grade of C or LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A102 with a minimum grade of C or SWK A106 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A354 Criminal Procedure: Rights of the Accused 3 Credits
Examines constitutional, statutory, and rules-based limits on law enforcement in the United States and explores federal and state laws on search and seizure, interrogations and confessions, identification, arrests and charging, right to counsel, right to jury, and double jeopardy. Emphasis upon legal protections under federal and Alaska constitutions.
Prerequisites: JUST A110 with a minimum grade of C or LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A356 Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing 3 Credits
Explores techniques of legal research, analysis and writing. Includes legal citation; researching judicial, statutory, regulatory, and secondary sources; research databases; fact pattern analysis; and technical rules of legal writing. Emphasizes professional skills development. Legal specialty course.
Prerequisites: LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A215 with a minimum grade of C and (WRTG A111 with a minimum grade of C or WRTG A1W with a minimum grade of C) and (WRTG A211 with a minimum grade of B or WRTG A212 with a minimum grade of B or WRTG A213 with a minimum grade of B or WRTG A214 with a minimum grade of B or WRTG A2W with a minimum grade of B or ENGL A311 with a minimum grade of B or ENGL A312 with a minimum grade of B or ENGL A313 with a minimum grade of B or ENGL A414 with a minimum grade of B).
LEGL A362 Contracts, Property, and Debt 3 Credits
Examines fundamental principles of contract law, property ownership (including real property), and debt formation and collection. Includes Uniform Commercial Code and Federal bankruptcy law. Emphasizes practice in Alaska and development of professional skills. Legal specialty course.
Prerequisites: LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A215 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A367 Civil Procedure and Pretrial Practice 3 Credits
Introduces procedural concepts of civil litigation and pretrial practice. Covers the rules of pleading and process, discovery, and motion practice. Reviews concepts of jurisdiction, venue, parties, statutes of limitation, and res judicata, and the ethical duties of competence and diligence. Emphasizes applied professional skills and practice in Alaska. Legal specialty course.
Prerequisites: LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A215 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A374 The Courts 3 Credits
Examines the basic components of the U.S. courts with particular emphasis on case processing through the court system and the roles of court actors. Covers the history as well as the current structure and function of the court system and assesses the gap between the ideals and the realities of court processes and practices. Focuses on the impact of the various court actors, including both the accused and the victim, in the delivery of just outcomes within the Criminal Justice System.
Registration Restrictions: Junior or Senior standing
Crosslisted With: JUST A374
Prerequisites: JUST A110 with a minimum grade of C or LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A377 Evidence, Investigation, and Discovery 3 Credits
Examines state and federal rules of evidence; sources and scope of privileges; techniques, ethics, and management of case investigation; and discovery processes and problems. Emphasizes professional skills development, Alaska law, and electronic discovery. Legal specialty course.
Registration Restrictions: Prior completion of LEGL A367 is recommended.
Prerequisites: LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A215 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A380 Torts: Law of Injury, Death, and Consumer Protection 3 Credits
Analyzes nature and function of the law of torts, workers' compensation, consumer protection litigation, and liability insurance in the United States, as well as the role of the non-lawyer legal professional in tort litigation and workers' compensation claims. Includes ethical issues in tort, workers' compensation, and insurance cases. Practice in Alaska and the development of professional skills are emphasized. Legal specialty course.
Registration Restrictions: Completion of LEGL A215 and LEGL A356 is strongly recommended.
Prerequisites: JUST A110 with a minimum grade of C or LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A385 Health Care Law and Regulatory Compliance 3 Credits
Explores legal issues arising in the delivery of health care services, including the physician-patient relationship and standards of care, individual and institutional liability, patient privacy and medical records security, insurance and Medicare, managed care and access to care, federal and state regulation of health care providers and regulatory compliance, accreditation and licensure, staff privileges, and medical ethics. Practice in Alaska and the development of professional skills are emphasized. Legal specialty course.
Registration Restrictions: Completion of LEGL A356 is recommended.
Prerequisites: LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A215 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A390 Selected Topics in Contemporary Legal Issues 1-3 Credits
Focuses on intensive study of selected substantive areas of law of contemporary importance. Enhances critical thinking skills and understanding of the practice of law in the topic, with in depth treatment of relevant statutes and case law.
Special Note: Topics are appropriate for students with a strong interest in and basic understanding of the legal system. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits with a change in subtitle.
Registration Restrictions: Junior or senior standing
Prerequisites: ECON A100 with a minimum grade of C or ECON A101 with a minimum grade of C or ECON A102 with a minimum grade of C or HIST A102 with a minimum grade of C or HIST A131 with a minimum grade of C or HIST A132 with a minimum grade of C or JUST A110 with a minimum grade of C or JUST A251 with a minimum grade of C or LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C or LEGL A215 with a minimum grade of C or PS A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A102 with a minimum grade of C or SOC A101 with a minimum grade of C or SOC A201 with a minimum grade of C or SOC A202 with a minimum grade of C or SWK A106 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A398 Individual Research 1-6 Credits
Explores the application of research skills to a problem in the law. May involve research assistance on a faculty research project or independent study.
Special Note: May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits. May not repeat or replace material in an existing legal studies course.
Registration Restrictions: Faculty approval
Prerequisites: LEGL A356 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A413 Communications Law 3 Credits
Examines legal rights, privileges, and regulations of press, radio, television, Internet and films; libel, contempt, copyright, rights of privacy; decisions of regulatory bodies and how they interact with citizens.
Crosslisted With: JPC A413.
Prerequisites: JPC A202 with a minimum grade of C or JUST A110 with a minimum grade of C or LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A443 Civil Liberties 3 Credits
Examines civil liberties in the United States with emphasis on the First Amendment, discrimination, the right to privacy and criminal justice. Focuses on Supreme Court cases and literature and considers various influences on legal analysis and judicial decision-making.
Registration Restrictions: Completion of all GER Tier 1 (basic college-level skills) courses and junior or senior standing
Prerequisites: JUST A110 with a minimum grade of C or LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A101 with a minimum grade of C.
Attributes: UAA Diversity & Inclusion GER, UAA Integrative Capstone GER.
LEGL A449 Jurisprudence and Legal Theory 3 Credits
Examines the theoretical bases of contemporary legal systems and judicial decision making. Explores the development of and interaction within major schools of legal theory. Topics covered include classical sources of legal theory, core and alternate approaches to legal theory, judicial decision-making, and theories of rights.
Registration Restrictions: Completion of GER Tier 1 (basic college-level skills) courses and junior or senior standing
Prerequisites: JUST A110 with a minimum grade of C or LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C or PHIL A201 with a minimum grade of C or PS A102 with a minimum grade of C.
Attributes: UAA Integrative Capstone GER.
LEGL A485 Tribal Courts and Alaska Native Rights 3 Credits
Explores history and nature of Alaska Natives' legal relationship with state and federal governments, issues of tribal sovereignty in the United States, and Alaska Native self-government. Studies the history and impact of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and the operation of tribal courts in the United States with emphasis on tribal courts in Alaska.
Registration Restrictions: Completion of all GER Tier 1 (basic college-level skills) courses and junior or senior standing.
Prerequisites: HIST A131 with a minimum grade of C or HIST A132 with a minimum grade of C or HUMS A225 with a minimum grade of C or JUST A110 with a minimum grade of C or LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A101 with a minimum grade of C or PS A102 with a minimum grade of C or SOC A101 with a minimum grade of C or SWK A206 with a minimum grade of C.
Attributes: UAA Diversity & Inclusion GER, UAA Integrative Capstone GER, UAA Alaska Native-Themed GER.
LEGL A487 Trial and Advanced Litigation Processes 3 Credits
Addresses advanced litigation processes and trial support. Includes alternative dispute resolution processes, case management systems, pretrial orders, pleadings, exhibit and witness lists, pretrial motions, jury instructions and selection, judgments and orders, and notices of appeal. Emphasizes practice in Alaska and development of professional skills. Legal specialty course.
Prerequisites: LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A215 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A356 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A367 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A377 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A489 Legal Studies Senior Seminar 3 Credits
Analyzes advanced legal concepts and the role of the non-lawyer in administrative law, business organizations, contract law, torts and workers' compensation, estate planning and probate, and property law. Emphasizes applied paraprofessional skills in legal research, fact analysis, and drafting legal documents. Legal specialty course.
Registration Restrictions: Junior or senior standing
Prerequisites: LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A215 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A356 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A367 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A377 with a minimum grade of C.
LEGL A495 Legal Studies Internship 3-6 Credits
Provides specially arranged practicum experience for advanced Legal Studies students. Expands knowledge and skills through placement in an online simulated law office. Emphasizes professional skills development. Legal specialty course.
Special Note: Individualized field placements in law-related work settings may be approved. May be repeated for maximum of 6 credits.
Registration Restrictions: Internship coordinator approval.
Prerequisites: LEGL A101 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A215 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A356 with a minimum grade of C and LEGL A367 with a minimum grade of C.