| |
Aug 02, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
LAW 1050 - LEGAL REASONING AND ARGUMENTATION
credits: 1.0
This course is designed to introduce students to the use of legal reasoning and argument in the context of civil or criminal trial advocacy. Students will develop skills in formulating, presenting, and critiquing persuasive legal arguments. Students will explore the sources of trial law, the theory behind the adversarial system, and the various procedural and evidentiary rules in place to achieve the system’s goals. Students will also discuss how the rules of logic and reasoning govern the application of the law to factual scenarios. Throughout the semester, students will achieve these goals through the lens of preparing to conduct a “mock trial” of a fictional civil case or criminal case as issued by the American Mock Trial Association (“AMTA”) each year. NOTE: There will be a course fee of $50.00 to pay for the licensing of the AMTA’s yearly case. Objectives: A) Formulate, present, and critique persuasive legal arguments; B) Identify and describe the various sources of American trial law; C) Critically analyze the development of and theories guiding the adversarial system in the United States; D) Critically analyze the various procedural and evidentiary rules in place to achieve the American justice system’s goal of fundamental fairness (due process); E) Describe how the rules of the court govern the application of the law to factual scenarios; F) Actively apply theory to practice via a simulated (Mock) trial. Method of Instruction: Will be taught combining traditional lectures with hands-on in-class assignments. Method of Evaluation: Class Participation: 40% and Final Mock Trial: 60%. Course Fee: $50.00 for licensing.
Add to Favorites (opens a new window)
|
|
