See Course Description Symbols and Terms for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units.

LEGL 112  Law, Politics, and Justice  3 Units  GE, USD  

Typically Offered: Fall only  

An introduction to the structure, composition, and performance of the judicial process and its role in the resolution of societal conflicts. Following an examination into the nature of law, the course focuses on the essential actors in the process and review the performance of their roles. Issues critical to a free society freedom of speech, rights of the accused, equal protection and their impact on certain populations are studied to illustrate the politics of distributing "justice" by means of the courts. 3 hours lecture.  (007470)  

General Education: Social Sciences (D)  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Lower Division; US Diversity  

LEGL 251  Introduction to Legal Studies  3 Units  

Typically Offered: Fall and spring  

Social science-based analysis of the interaction of law and its social contexts. Course elements include fundamentals of legal systems, their institutional structures, and critical issues. Case studies and interpretive themes will provide analytical focus. 3 hours lecture.  (022301)  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Lower Division  

LEGL 258  Criminal Law  3 Units  

Typically Offered: Fall and spring  

This course serves as an introduction to substantive criminal law - the law of crimes and of defenses. 3 hours lecture.  (001603)  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Lower Division  

LEGL 356  Legal Analysis  3 Units  

Typically Offered: Fall only  

The objective of this course is to teach students legal analysis using Socratic method, briefing cases, and law-school-type examinations. The course will be aimed at students considering law school. 3 hours lecture.  (007583)  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division  

LEGL 365W  Theories, Practices, and Administration of Justice (W)  3 Units  GE, USD, W  

Prerequisite: GE Oral Communication (A1); GE Written Communication (A2); GE Critical Thinking (A3); GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) requirements, or consent of the instructor.  

Typically Offered: Fall and spring  

This course introduces students to the theories and practices of justice, as well as the administration of justice. As a writing intensive course, students examine pertinent justice issues of local, national, or international significance, identify the theory (or theories) of justice relevant to the situation, and investigate how justice was (or was not) administered. 3 hours lecture.  (007600)  

General Education: Upper-Division Social Sciences (UDD); Equity, Ethics, and Policy Pathway  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division; US Diversity; Writing Course  

LEGL 401W  Sexual Minorities Law/Politics (W)  3 Units  GE, USD, W  

Prerequisite: GE Oral Communication (A1); GE Written Communication (A2); GE Critical Thinking (A3); GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning (B4) requirements, or consent of the instructor.  

Typically Offered: Spring only  

Students examine how the law (made by judges, legislators, and voters) has influenced and continues to influence the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Students critically analyze how the rights of sexual minorities have developed or failed to develop. The class includes discussion of gay movements' politics, accomplishments, and opponents. Finally, contemporary issues surrounding legal and political issues that impact sexual minorities are addressed. 3 hours lecture.  (020186)  

General Education: Upper-Division Social Sciences (UDD); Gender and Sexuality Pathway  

Cross listing(s): MCGS 401W  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division; US Diversity; Writing Course  

LEGL 450  Criminal Procedure  3 Units  

Typically Offered: Fall only  

The machinery of criminal justice in theory and practice; the significance of the rule of law and its exceptions in the actual administration of justice. This course will concentrate on the application of the fourth, fifth, and sixth amendments to the U.S. Constitution in the administration of justice and the application of modern behavioral research as it applies to police and court administration. 3 hours lecture.  (007588)  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division  

LEGL 451A  Constitutional Law: Powers and Restraints  3 Units  

Typically Offered: Fall only  

Analysis of judicial cases and related materials illustrating historical and current interpretations of constitutional problems such as the powers of the courts, congress, and President; and the balance of federal-state power in such areas as commerce and taxation. 3 hours lecture.  (007577)  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division  

LEGL 451B  Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties  3 Units  

Typically Offered: Fall and spring  

Analysis of judicial cases and related materials illustrating historical and current interpretations of constitutional problems such as racial discrimination, criminal procedures, and freedom of speech and religion. 3 hours lecture.  (005645)  

Cross listing(s): MCGS 451B  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division  

LEGL 452  Alternative Dispute Resolution  3 Units  

Typically Offered: Spring only  

Focus on the various methods of negotiation and dispute resolution including mediation and arbitration with primary emphasis on the legal rights and principles involved in alternative dispute resolution especially in the process of arbitration. Major social and scientific theories of conflict will be explored as well as conventional disciplines and new approaches of conflict avoidance and resolution. Ethical issues involved in negotiation, mediation, and arbitration will be covered. 3 hours lecture.  (007579)  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division  

LEGL 454W  Legal Research and Writing (W)  3 Units  W  

Typically Offered: Fall and spring  

Learn techniques of legal research and writing. Write briefs, memoranda, and other legal documents based on library research with cases, treatises, law reviews, statutes, regulations, etc. 3 hours lecture.  (007581)  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division; Writing Course  

LEGL 455  Civil Litigation  3 Units  

Prerequisite: LEGL 454W (may be taken concurrently).  

Typically Offered: Fall and spring  

In this course, students learn court system and jurisdictional issues, as well as follow a civil case from the first client interview through preparation for trial. The course focuses on the legal ethics and professional responsibility of paralegals and legal professionals in the civil litigation process, including topics such as calendaring, pleadings, court forms, discovery methods, motion practice, and other legal documents and tasks encountered by professionals in the legal field. 3 hours lecture.  (007582)  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division  

LEGL 459  Senior Seminar in Legal Studies  3 Units  

Typically Offered: Fall and spring  

This course is a senior seminar on selected topics in legal studies. 3 hours seminar.  (007587)  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division  

LEGL 461  Environmental Politics and Policy  3 Units  

Typically Offered: Spring only  

Investigation and analysis of the political nature of the environmental crisis in the United States and the development of legal and administrative mechanisms for handling environmental problems. 3 hours lecture.  (007596)  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division; Sustainable Course  

LEGL 464  Administrative Law  3 Units  

Typically Offered: Spring only  

Study of the role of administrative law in American government. Scope and implications of discretionary decision-making. 3 hours lecture.  (007599)  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division  

LEGL 468  Planning Law  3 Units  

Typically Offered: Inquire at department  

Review and analysis of the present and changing nature of planning and land-use control law, particularly as the law is applied in California. 3 hours seminar.  (007605)  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division; Sustainable Course  

LEGL 481  Law and Disadvantaged Persons  3 Units  

Typically Offered: Inquire at department  

Explores legal issues facing the poor, older adults, disabled, and minorities, and how to advance the legal rights of the disadvantaged. Family law, consumerism, small claims court, Social Security, welfare law, and landlord/tenant rights are addressed from theoretical and practical perspectives, with an emphasis on advocating those rights. 3 hours lecture.  (009431)  

Cross listing(s): SWRK 481  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division  

LEGL 489K  Internship in Legal Studies  3 Units  

Prerequisite: Faculty permission.  

Typically Offered: Spring, summer, fall  

Field work in a public or private law office. Work supervised by attorneys in cooperating legal organizations. LEGL 454W Legal Research and Writing is highly recommended for placement in private or public law offices. 9 hours independent study.  (007621)  

Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division  

LEGL 490  Legal Clinic Practicum  3 Units  

Typically Offered: Spring, summer, fall  

Students engage in practical work at the on-campus Community Legal Information Clinic under the supervision of a faculty member and also participate in seminar and training workshops that focus on the substantive law, doctrine, theory, skills, and ethical questions that arise in the legal practice area. 3 hours clinical.  (021759)  

Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division  

LEGL 491  Trial and Appellate Advocacy  3 Units  

Prerequisite: Upper-division standing.  

Typically Offered: Spring only  

Participation in mock trials and other law activities. Oral argument, legal research, and brief-writing. Must participate in the moot court competition. 3 hours lecture.  (007632)  

Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division  

LEGL 495  Community Legal Information Clinic Directorship  1-15 Units  

Prerequisite: Approval of the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice.  

Typically Offered: Fall and spring  

This course directs students through the process of being a director at the Community Legal Information Clinic (CLIC). As a director of CLIC, the students have the opportunity to take on significant administrative responsibilities for the day-to-day operations of the on-campus law clinic. Registration for this course is attained through an application process in the spring semester. Enrollment in this course is required in both the fall and spring semesters. In addition, each director will have CLIC responsibilities during the summer and intersession. Only a total of 3.0 units of this course may be counted towards the requirements of the major or the Paralegal Certificate. 3 hours supervision.  (020651)  

Grade Basis: Graded  

Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units  

Course Attributes: Upper Division