New and Updated Course Descriptions

LAW 266 - Legal Research and Writing

3 Credits

Students develop legal research and analysis strategies through lecture, library exercises, and computerized research. Understanding the structure of the sources of law and utilizing critical thinking skills equip students to undertake legal research systematically. Students use software and federal and New York State law books consisting of substantive and procedural documents, digests, reporters, statutes, rules and regulations of administrative agencies, and the Internet to research databases and communicate with others. Writing exercises involve analyzing, summarizing, and synthesizing research in a clear, concise, accurate and timely manner based upon the procedural requirements of the law.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of PLS 260 or LAW 101 with a grade of C or higher, or permission of program director.

Course Learning Outcomes
1.Identify and describe the various sources of law.
2.Identify sources for given citations and properly cite primary sources of law.
3.Gather and analyze facts and identify and organize legal issues.
4.Determine “key” search words prior to conducting legal research.
5.Perform legal research both manually and electronically using electronic research tools and platforms.
6.Apply legal principals from specific cases to given scenarios and summarize findings.

Course Offered Fall