PLA 2013   Survey of American Law

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Study of American law, focusing on why there are laws, as well as who makes and enforces the laws. Covers what is commonly known as "everyday law," that is, how law affects us in our daily lives. This course surveys the main areas of procedural and substantive law and provides an overview of the practice of law. Meets General Education requirement in Social Sciences.

PLA 3020   Law and Society

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Exploration of the evolution of laws in the American legal system related to complex social issues. Exploration of how the structure of the American legal system responds to diverse and dynamic social structures. Examination of how individual differences affect perceptions of justice and the role of the justice system in American society.

PLA 3021   Law and Film: Fact or Fiction

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Films chosen illustrate the realities of the legal system, the concept of justice, the involvement of various stakeholders in the system and the merit or lack of merit of character's decision-making. Films highlight the practice of law, stakeholders, judicial processes, as well as interactions with society and politics.

PLA 3106   Legal Research and Writing

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Prerequisite: (PLA 2013) AND (PLA 3020 OR PLA 3703 OR PLA 4263 OR PLA 4885)

Legal Research and Writing introduces the student to the sources, tools, and techniques of legal research and writing, with a focus on using Westlaw for online research. Students are introduced to Bluebook citation. Legal Research and Writing is designed to introduce skills needed in order to become proficient in legal research.

PLA 3240   Alternative Dispute Resolution

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Introduction to different alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods as a means of peacefully communicating with another person regarding a conflict and working together to find a solution in an appropriate manner.

PLA 3429   Contract Law

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Overview of contract law, including a discussion of contract formation, implementation, and interpretation.

PLA 3471   Employment Law

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Designed for students interested in the subject of employment law discrimination from many approaches: as a practitioner in the legal field, as an employer, as an advisor to employers, as an employee, or as an advisor to employees. The focus of the course will be on the basic laws of employment discrimination, employee rights, and the means and methods of seeking the protections of those laws, and the means and methods of employers assuring compliance with the laws.

PLA 3583   Cyber Law

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Examines legal aspects of the law related to the Internet, including intellectual property rights, online jurisdictional issues, privacy and the first amendment in an online world. Domain name rights, and e-commerce will be explored.

PLA 3613   Property Law and Transactions

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Covers contracts for the sale of land, forms, or real estate ownership, steps involved in a real estate transaction, drafting of leases, purchases, and sales agreements, drafting of mortgages and notes, drafting of deeds, preparing and executing a complete real estate closing and preparing a title search and real estate abstract.

PLA 3703   The Legal System and Ethics

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Students will explore ethics as it relates to attorney/paralegal conduct in legal systems in the United States.

PLA 3806   Family Law

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Examine the components of family law, including marriage, divorce, child support, property division, and annulment. The topics of adoption, paternity, child abuse/neglect, and termination of parental rights will also be introduced.

PLA 3905   Directed Study

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

1-12 sh (may be repeated indefinitely for credit)

PLA 4023   Women and the Law

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

An examination of treatment of women in, and by, the U.S. legal profession. Survey of landmark cases that have impact specifically on women's legal rights.

PLA 4155   Legal Advocacy

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)
Prerequisite: PLA 3106

Emphasis is on improving persuasive advocacy and legal writing ability through the use of both practical writing assignments and oral advocacy, including case briefs, legal correspondence, legal memoranda, and trial briefs. Meets College-Level Communication Skills Requirement.

PLA 4204   Civil Procedure

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Civil litigation in the Florida and Federal courts. Covers substantive civil law, Florida and Federal rules of civil procedure and related matters from initial interview through pre-trial preparation including drafting of pleadings and preparing discovery.

PLA 4263   Evidence

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Rules of evidence are introduced, including relevancy, hearsay, competency of witnesses, and burdens of proof. The Federal Rules of Evidence are emphasized.

PLA 4277   Tort Law

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

In-depth study of the fundamental principles of negligence, intentional torts, strict liability, product liability, and vicarious liability.

PLA 4306   Criminal Law

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

This course covers the criminal law, with a particular focus on the core elements of a crime, types of crimes against persons and property, and criminal defenses.

PLA 4309   Criminal Procedure

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

The study of criminal procedure examines the power of the government to enforce the criminal law versus the right of individuals to be free from government intrusion as guaranteed by the Constitution. This course explores the legal framework for the enforcement of criminal law and the variety of roles that are played throughout the process.

PLA 4554   Environmental Law and Jurisprudence

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

The evolution of both American and international environmental law is explored through a review of the basic, existing environmental laws and regulations, with a jurisprudential/philosophical look at the underlying issues and principles of environmental law, using an interdisciplinary approach.

PLA 4607   Wills, Estates, and Trusts

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

This course will provide an overview of the law related to wills, estates, and trusts. Various sources of law will be examined, in particular, statutes, case law, and uniform laws.

PLA 4870   Space Law

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

Review of the basic, existing space laws and regulations in the United States, and in international law, with a jurisprudential and ethical look at the basic, underlying issues of space law. The course exposes students to material from a variety of perspectives, not only legal but also environmental, historical, ethical, anthropological, and international.

PLA 4885   Constitutional Law for the Legal Professional

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

3 sh (may not be repeated for credit)

The study of the U.S. Constitution and the major Supreme Court cases interpreting it, focusing on the current status of the law. Seeks an integration of the study of the Constitution as it pertains to the practice of law. Introduces the basic concepts of the Constitution in light of how Constitutional issues arise in the modern practice of law. Topics include the Supreme Court's jurisdiction, how to read Supreme Court cases, Separation of Powers, Federalism, Commerce Clause, Due Process, First Amendment, Privacy, and Equal Protection.

PLA 4905   Directed Study

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

1-12 sh (may be repeated indefinitely for credit)

PLA 4941   Legal Studies Internship

Col of Arts, Soc Sci and Human, Department of Criminal Justice

1-6 sh (may be repeated for up to 6 sh of credit)
Prerequisite: PLA 3103 AND PLA 3703 AND PLA 4204 AND PLA 4263

The Legal Studies Internship is a cooperative effort between the Legal Studies Program at UWF and a public or private law-related office. The purpose is to give students the opportunity to apply their education to actual work situations. The student intern works under the overall supervision of a licensed attorney.

PLA 5905   Directed Study

College of Business, Department of Business Administration

1-12 sh (may be repeated indefinitely for credit)