CATALOG 2006-2007 - Syracuse University College of Law

Fall
Credits
Contracts
5
Civil Procedure
Legal Communication and Research I:
4
Legal Analysis and Writing
2
Torts
5
Total
Spring
Criminal Law
Constitutional Law I
Legal Communication and Research II:
Legal Research and Rhetoric
Legislation and Policy
Property
Total
16
3
3
2
3
5
16
As part of a leading research university, our
curriculum combines a respect for tradition
with a curiosity for innovation to create an
exciting and dynamic learning environment.
Our first-year curriculum provides the broad
view and foundation necessary to begin the
study of law. A strong foundation for legal
education emphasizes the development of
substantive legal knowledge along with analytical
and communicative ability. Ultimately,
the most crucial legal skills involve analyzing
the law and effectively communicating that
analysis to courts, other attorneys, and clients.
The college believes the best legal education
provides heavy concentration in legal research,
analysis, writing, and oral argument
The First Year
Syracuse University College of Law is proud
of the personal attention students receive
beginning in their first year. The faculty
considers interaction between student and
teacher to be essential to a strong legal
education. Students find their instructors
committed to excellence in teaching and legal
scholarship. During the first year of study,
students learn the basics of public and private
law. Because the first year provides necessary
grounding in fundamental legal concepts, the
following courses are required for all first-year
students: civil procedure, constitutional law,
contracts, criminal law, legal communication
and research, property, and torts. In addition,
a first-year legislation and policy course was
introduced as an elective to all students in
their spring semester. Except for legal communication
and research, all courses taken in the
first year are one-semester courses. Students
may not enroll in or audit elective courses,
seminars, or other offerings for academic
credit during their first year.
First-Year Course Descriptions
Civil Procedure (4 credits)
Procedural processes that guide the adjudication
of civil actions in American courts;
allocation of judicial power between federal
and state courts, focusing on the Federal
Rules of Civil Procedure; fundamental policies
underlying particular procedural rules.
Constitutional Law I (3 credits)
Problems arising under the U.S. Constitution;
state and federal regulatory authority; judicial
review; federal taxing and spending powers;
separation of powers; due process and equal
protection; and First Amendment issues,
including freedoms of speech, of the press,
and of religion.
Contracts (5 credits)
Legal protection afforded promissory
agreements; contract interpretation; contract
formation, including offer and acceptance,
mutual assent, and consideration; parties
affected by contracts and remedies for breach
of contract.
Criminal Law (3 credits)
Elements of various crimes and problems
of statutory construction and interpretation;
substantive defenses, emphasizing the defense
of insanity; as well as attempts and the specific
crimes of conspiracy, theft, and homicide.
Legal Communication
and Research I (2 credits)
Fall semester: Introduction to basic lawyering
skills, including legal analysis, citation, and
court hierarchy. Application of these skills
to complex factual situations in a mock law
firm setting.
Legal Communication
and Research II (2 credits)
Spring semester: Skills introduced this
semester include legal research, oral
argument, and the written presentation of
legal arguments in persuasive form.
Legislation and Policy (3 credits)
Introduction to the institutions and processes
of public law making, including an examination
of statutory interpretation and legislative and
administrative process, as applied to a particular
substantive area of law such as civil rights,
federal Indian law, disability, employment
discrimination, family, health, environmental,
and labor law.
Property (5 credits)
Problems concerning the possession of
land and chattels; methods of acquiring
title to personal property; possessory
and concurrent estates; landlord and
tenant problems; historical introduction
to real estate, including future interests,
real covenants, and easements.
Torts (5 credits)
Imposition of liability for personal wrongs as
viewed by traditional tort law and current
alternatives; historical development and policy
basis of liability for various types of injuryproducing
conduct, including intentional torts,
negligence, and strict liability.
7