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LAWS (Law)
LAWS 1000 - Introduction to Law Enforcement - 3 Credits
This course examines the history and philosophy of the role of police in society. It surveys organizational structures and basic procedures of police work, police ethics and major problems confronting the law enforcement profession. Students examine international, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, identifying the origin, jurisdiction, mission and functions of each. Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 1010 - Criminal Law - 3 Credits
This course is a study of crimes from early English common law to modern American criminal law including common law and statutory offenses. Criminal intent, criminal act and causation are thoroughly analyzed. General definitions of crimes, classifications of crimes, parties to crimes and common defenses such as insanity and self-defense are considered. Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 1020 - Administration of Justice - 3 Credits
This course presents an overview of the criminal justice system, including an examination of the organization and jurisdiction of federal, state and local courts and law enforcement agencies. The arrest, arraignment, plea, preliminary hearing, bail, grand and petit jury proceedings, verdict, sentence and petitions for new trial are studied together with the jurisdiction of the courts on all levels. Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 1030 - Criminalistics I - 3 Credits
This course surveys basic crime scene investigation methods. Topics include first responder duties, evidence collection and processing, photography, impression evidence, blood analysis, trace evidence, arson investigation and casting methods for impression evidence. Students complete projects involving plaster casting and crime scene sketching. A mock crime scene investigation is conducted. Lab fee required (Lecture: 3 hours)
LAWS 1040 - Criminalistics II - 3 Credits
This course is an advanced study of criminalistics. Topics include: the investigation of specific crimes (sexual assault, homicide, burglary and auto theft); alcohol and drug detection; firearms investigations; advanced latent fingerprint techniques; and forensic entomology. Lab fee required. (Prerequisite: LAWS 1030) Lecture 3 hours
LAWS 1050 - Police Supervision - 3 Credits
A course designed to consider supervisory problems and concepts within police organizations and the equating of sound principles of human relations and supervisory techniques to effective police performance. Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 1060 - Community Policing - 3 Credits
This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the concepts of community policing. The course focuses on the history, philosophy and strategies used to establish positive relationships between the community and the police in a complex society.Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 1070 - Basic Law for the Health Professions (formerly LAWS 8050) - 1 Credit
This course is designed to familiarize students with the body of law governing workers and their patients in health care settings. Topics include risk minimization, medical malpractice, disciplinary procedures, professional rights and responsibilities regarding confidentiality and record-keeping and informed consent. Lecture: 1 hour
LAWS 1080 - Introduction to Paralegal Studies - 3 Credits
This course is designed to provide an overview of the functions of paralegals/legal assistants within the legal environment. It will also include material on the organization and structure of law firms, legal ethics, various types of legal practice and use of computers in the legal environment. Background material on federal and state constitutional law, statutory law and court decisions is provided as a foundation for other law courses required in the Paralegal Studies Program. Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 1090 - Criminal Procedure in Rhode Island Courts - 3 Credits
This course is a detailed explanation and examination of criminal procedure in the Rhode Island courts, from charging of crimes through trial, judgment and appeal, arrest and search warrants, bail and probation violation, including presentation, arraignment, bail, preliminary hearing, discovery, pretrial motions and post-conviction relief. The various methods and distinctions between misdemeanor criminal complaints, information and grand hury indictment are compared and contrasted as is the procedure in Providence and the outlying counties, including “PAC” and felony screening, daily criminal calendar in Courtroom No. 9, as well as trial procedure and the Rhode Island Rules of Evidence. The course emphasizes the practice of the principles of criminal justice that are currently taught in Administration of Justice. (Prerequisite: Laws 1020) Lecture 3 hours
LAWS 1100 - Interpretation and Translation (Spanish) I - 6 Credits
This class incorporates English/Spanish simultaneous and consecutive interpreting modes, written and sight translation, the code of professional responsibility for interpreters in the judiciary and regional differences in language and culture. New vocabulary is introduced in every class, reinforced by class activities such as outside speakers from the judicial and legal profession, role playing, interpreting audio and video tapes and translating legal forms. A significant amount of classroom time is spent practicing, listening, interpreting and translating and sharpening both short-term and long-term memory skills. Lecture: 5 hours
LAWS 1110 - Interpretation and Translation (Spanish) II - 6 Credits
This course incorporates advanced level of English/Spanish simultaneous and consecutive interpreting modes and written and sight translation in more complex settings. Advanced vocabulary is introduced in every class, reinforced by class activities such as outside speakers from the judicial and legal profession, role playing, interpreting audio and video tapes and translating legal forms. A significant amount of classroom time is spent practicing, listening, interpreting and translating and sharpening both short-term and long-term memory skills. (Prerequisite: LAWS 1100) Lecture: 5 hours
LAWS 2000 - Constitutional Law - 3 Credits
This class presents a view of the role of the Supreme Court in its interpretation of the United States Constitution. Areas to be scrutinized include judicial review, federalism, civil liberties and the Bill of Rights (through the 14th Amendment) as it applies to the states. Case and text method. Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2010 - Law of Evidence - 3 Credits
This course is a study of the body of rules governing the admissibility of evidence at trial. The nature of evidence; circumstantial and direct evidence; testimonial, documentary and real evidence; hearsay and the exceptions thereto; the presentation of evidence and the rules on relevancy; and lastly, competency, credibility and impeachment of witnesses are examined. Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2020 - Basic Civil Procedure for Paralegals - 3 Credits
This course introduces the legal concepts and practical applications of civil litigation using the rules of civil procedure as applied in the federal and state court systems. The course will cover: the court system; jurisdiction and venue; pleadings (complaints, answers, counterclaims and cross-claims); and discovery documents (interrogatories, depositions and requests for production). (Prerequisite: LAWS 1020 and LAWS 1080 or permission of instructor) Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2030 - Criminal Law and the Constitution - 3 Credits
This course presents a consideration and analysis of the most significant and recent Supreme Court decisions as they pertain to the rights of the accused in the areas of arrest, search and seizure, interrogation and right to assistance of counsel. Case and text method: 3 hours
LAWS 2040 - Law and Society - 3 Credits
This course studies adjudicated cases involving the leading social issues affecting society today and the impact such adjudications have had upon that society. Stress is placed upon the relationship of law to social values and morals. The delicate balance between the interests of society and individual rights is scrutinized and the students’ views as to the maintenance of the balance is evaluated in the light of the cases studied. Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2050 – Law of Contracts - 3 Credits
This course studies the legal rules, concepts and terminology relating to voluntary agreements entered into for the provision of services or the sale of property. The areas included are agreement, consideration, contractual capacity, legality, genuineness of assent and legal form. Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2060 – The Law of Property, Estates and Trusts - 3 Credits
This course studies the laws of real property, personal property and decedent’s estates. Topics to be covered include: definitions of real and personal property; the ownership and transfer of real estate (concurrent ownership, deeds, mortgages and leases); and the areas of gifts, wills, inheritance laws, probate and trusts. Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2070 – Law of Business Organization - 3 Credits
This course covers the law of agency (principal-agent relationships and independent contractors), federal and state employment law and the law regarding legal forms of business (sole proprietorships, partnerships of various kinds, corporations and limited liability companies). Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2080 - Commercial Paper and Secured Transactions - 3 Credits
This course explores the principles of the Uniform Commercial Code as they apply to notes, drafts, checks and certificates of deposit. The status of holders in due course, assignees and endorsers are discussed and the creation and perfection of the security instrument are viewed in conjunction with the rights and duties of parties to secured transactions. Lecture: 3 hours
LAWS 2090 - Legal Research and Writing - 4 Credits
This course for Paralegal Studies majors covers legal research using primary sources (statutes, court decisions, and regulations); case digests and finding aids; secondary legal sources (encyclopedias, treatises and annotations); and citators (Shepard’s Citations and WestLaw’s KeyCite). Emphasis is on legal research using computer-assisted legal research (CALR) tools. Students are expected to complete a full legal research project and write a legal memorandum. (Prerequisites: Laws 1080 and 24 credit hours earned or permission of instructor) Lecture: 4 hours
LAWS 2100 - Law of Torts - 3 Credits
Law of Torts involves the study of civil wrongs that result in personal injury, property damage or economic injuries. This course deals with areas of negligence, intentional torts and strict liability torts. It will also cover topics of professional malpractice, products liability and premises liability. (Prerequisite: LAWS 1020 or LAWS 1080 or permission of instructor) Lecture 3 hours
