Webster Groves, MO · College of Arts & Sciences · Legal Studies

Introduction to Law
LEGL-2400
FA 2019 Section 01 3 Credits 08/26/2019 to 12/20/2019 Modified 08/25/2019

 Meeting Times
Monday/Wednesday/Friday 10:00-10:50 am, EAB 138

 Contact Information

Instructor: Associate Professor Robin Jefferson Higgins, J.D.

Email: robinjefferson85@webster.edu
Office: Webster Hall Room 315
Phone: 314-246-8724
Website: robinjefferson85@webster.edu

Office Hours
Mondays and Fridays, noon-1:30 p.m. or by appointment
Webster Hall Room 315

 Description
This course introduces students to the basic history, function and substance of the American legal system. This course covers the
entire gamut of law in general terms, as well as on specific areas of law such as torts, contracts and property. Students will be
introduced to legal terminology, the court system and the nature of legal reasoning. Further, students will integrate their old
knowledge with the knowledge they gain in this course. Current legal events and cases will be discussed and integrated into the
course. Offered concurrently with POLT 2400. This course is a Paralegal Certificate course.

Requisites
PREREQUISITES: As this is an introductory course, students need not possess prior legal experience or knowledge. It is
necessary that you attend and participate in class.

 Outcomes
Synthesize and integrate knowledge of law gained in this course with existing knowledge;

Understand the basic history, philosophy and functions of the United States legal system;

Grasp the basic underlying concepts as well as the substance of various areas of law, including torts, contracts, property and probate;

Learn basic legal reasoning and terminology

 Materials

Introudction to Law
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 Author: Joanne Hames and Yvonne Ekern
Publisher: Prentice Hall, Pearson
Edition: 6th or most recent
ISBN: 9780134868240

 Evaluation
Grading:

*3 one page assignments @ 25 points each 75 points

*Mid-Term examination 100 points

*Final Examination 100 points

*Oral presentation of your paper 50 points

*Final Paper 100 points

*Class participation and attendance 75 points

Total= 500 points

 Schedule

When Topic Notes

Class Introduction to course, course objectives and August 26-30, 2019

Lecture and expectationsLecture: Civil vs. Criminal law and
Discussion Legal Definitions Assignment: Read Chapters 1, 2 and 3
Week 1
Be prepared to discuss Application and Analysis section after each chapters.
Class

Lecture Civil vs. Criminal law and Legal Definitions September 2-6, 2019
Week 2 (continued) U.S. Legal System The Courts and
Class Legal Personnel No Class Monday, September 2, 2019 (Observance of Labor Day)

Assignments: Read Chapter 4; Appendix III (page 545). Basic Citation Reference Guide

Be prepared to discuss Application and Analysis section after chapter.

Class Finding the Law: Legal Research; Legal September 9-13, 2019
Lecture and Citations, Library presentation regarding legal
Discussion research ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2019: MEET AT EMERSON LIBRARY IN THE E-
Week 3 CLASSROOM (Room 110), LOCATED ON THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE LIBRARY
Class
Assignments: Read Chapter 5. Be prepared to discuss Application and Analysis
section after chapter

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When Topic Notes

Class Using the Law: Analysis and Legal Writing; How September 16-20, 2019
Lecture and to write a case brief
Discussion Assignment: Write a case brief for Good News Club v. Milford Central School, 533 U.S.
Week 4 98 (2001). Follow the format discussed in class. The case is found at
Class www.pearsonhighered.com/careersource

Assignments: Read Chapter 6. Be prepared to discuss Application and Analysis

section after chapter.

Class Constitutional Law & Civil Rights September 23-27, 2019

Lecture and
Discussion Assignment: Read Chapter 7: Be prepared to discuss Application and Analysis Section
Week 5 after chapter.
Class

Class Tort Law September 30- Oct, 4, 2019

Lecture and
Discussion Assignment: Read Chapter 8. Be prepared to discuss Application and Analysis Section
Week 6 after chapter.
Class

Class Family Law Oct. 7-11, 2019

Lecture and
Discussion Lecture and Discussion: Family Law.
Week 7
Assignment: Read Chapter 9.
Class
Be prepared to discuss Application and Analysis Section after chapter

Class Estate Planning: Wills, Trusts, and Probate Oct. 14-18, 2019
Lecture and
Discussion MID-TERM EXAM Friday, March 8, 2019
Week 8
Assignment: Read Chapters 10-11. Be prepared to discuss Application and Analysis
Class
Section after chapter

FALL October 21-25, 2019

BREAK
Week 9 NO CLASS: FALL BREAK

Class Contract Law and Property Law Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 2019

Lecture and
Discussion Assignment: Read Chapter 12.
Week 10
Be prepared to discuss Application and Analysis Section after chapter
Class

Class The Business Environment: Agency, Nov. 4-8, 2019

Lecture and Employment, Business Organizations, and
Discussion Bankruptcy Laws. Assignment: Read Chapters 13 and 14. Be prepared to discuss Application and
Week 11 Analysis Section after chapter
Class

Class Civil Procedure Before Trial, Criminal Practice: Nov. 11-15, 2019 (No class on Wednesday and Friday)
Lecture and Criminal Law and Juvenile Law
Discussion Assignment: Read Chapter 15-16. Be prepared to discuss Application and Analysis
Week 12 Section after Chapter.
Class

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 When Topic Notes

Class Criminal Procedure Before Trial, Rules of Nov. 18-22, 2019

Lecture and Evidence.
Discussion Assignment: Read Chapter 17. Be prepared to discuss application and Analysis
Week 13 Section after chapters
Class

Class The Trial Nov. 25-28, 2019 (No class on Friday due to Thanksgiving Holiday)
Lecture and
Discussion Assignment: Read Chapter 18. Be prepared to discuss Application and Analysis
Week 14 Section after chapter
Class

Class Alternative Dispute Resolution and Class Dec. 2-6, 2019

Lecture and Presentations
Discussion Begin Presentations Over Research Papers.
Week 15
Class

Class Class Presentations Dec. 9-13, 2019

Lecture and
Discussion Class Presentations (continued)
Week 16
No Class Friday 2019 (Reading Day)
Class
Assignment: Study for Final Exam

Final Exam Wednesday, December 18, 2019: 8:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m.

 Course Policies
ATTENDANCE:

Attendance is mandatory due to the subject matter of this course and Webster Policy. If you must miss a class, you should make
every effort to notify me prior to the class meeting. This class is of the nature that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to learn the
course content without attending class. You will likely not pass this class if you miss more than five clock hours of the class. In
addition, non-attendance negatively impacts your class participation grade, state otherwise, in order to maximize your class
participation grade you need to b e in the class.

CLASS PARTICIPATION:

Class participation consists of the following minimum requirements:Attendance at all classes for the entire class; completion of all
written work on time; appropriate, voluntary, verbal input; contributing to a positive classroom environment in all respects;
contributing to the complexity and originality of critical thinking reflected in class discussion;and demonstrating professional
conduct.Fulfilling the minimum of the foregoing requirements earns a student 80% of the total points available for class participation.
To earn more than 80% of the total points available, a student must exhibit outstanding accomplishment in the foregoing areas.

TALKING IN CLASS OR FAILURE TO PARTICPATE IN CLASS DISCUSSIONS WILL RESULT IN THE STUDENT NOT RECEIVING THE FULL
PARTICIPATION POINTS.

STUDENT EXPECTATION:

Students should not expect an “A” grade for mediocre or less than stellar work. If an assignment is turned in late (meaning more than
fifteen minutes after class has begun), the assignment will receive a grade that is one letter grade lower than it would have received
had it been timely. However, you may turn in any assignment early.

Students are responsible for reading all assignment prior to class. This includes any handouts. The syllabus is to serve as a general
guide as to how the class will be conducted. I reserve the right to change the syllabus as the term progresses so as to accommodate
special events, assignments, speakers, or other unexpected factors.

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 DISTURBANCES:

Because every student is entitled to full participation in class without interruption, all students are expected to be in class and
prepared to begin on time. All pagers, wireless phones, or other electronic devices must be turned off, or switched to vibrate, when you
enter the classroom. Disruption of class, whether by latecomers, noisy devices, or inconsiderate behavior is not acceptable. Students
are expected to treat the instructor and other students with dignity and respect, especially in cases where a diversity of opinion arises.
Students who engage in disruptive behavior are subject to disciplinary action, including removal from the course.

Academic Accommodations
Webster University makes every effort to accommodate individuals with academic/learning, health, physical and psychological
disabilities. To obtain accommodations, students must identify themselves and provide documentation from a qualified professional
or agency to the appropriate campus designee or the ADA Coordinator at the main campus. The ADA Coordinator may be reached at
314-246-7700 or disability@webster.edu.

If you have already identified as a student with a documented disability and are entitled to classroom or testing accommodations,
please inform the instructor of the accommodations you will require for this class at the beginning of the course.

Academic Resource Center

Additional support and resources may be accessed through the Academic Resource Center (ARC). Support and resources include
academic counseling, accommodations, assistive technology, peer tutoring, plagiarism prevention, testing center services, and writing
coaching. Visit www.webster.edu/arc or Loretto Hall 40 on the main campus for more information.

Title IX
Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender is a civil rights offense and subject to the same kinds of
accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as race, national origin, etc.
If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, contact the campus advocate: (800) 981-9804 or (314) 968-7030; or the
24-hour emergency line: (314) 422-4651

 Institutional Policies

Grading
The Grades section of the academic catalog outlines the various grading systems courses may use, including the information
about the final grade reported for this class.

Undergraduate
http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/undergraduate-catalog/academic-policies.html#grading
(http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/undergraduate-catalog/academic-policies.html#grading)

Graduate
http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-catalog/academic-policies.html#grades
(http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-catalog/academic-policies.html#grades)

Incomplete

There are important policies that govern grades of Incomplete (I), including the circumstances under which Incomplete grades are
granted, deadlines for completion, and consequences should the remaining course work not be completed. It is the responsibility
of a student who requests an Incomplete to ensure that he/she understands and follows the policies.

Grade Appeals

Instructors are responsible for assigning grades, and student should discuss grade issues with the instructor. Policies and
procedures for appealing grades are available in the appropriate catalog.

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Academic Policies
Academic policies provide students with important rights and responsibilities. Students are expected to familiarize themselves
with all academic policies that apply to them. Academic policies for undergraduate students can be found in the Undergraduate
Studies Catalog; graduate students should review the Graduate Studies Catalog.

Undergraduate Studies Catalog

The Undergraduate Studies Catalog contains academic policies that apply to all undergraduate students. The academic policies
and information section of the catalog contains important information related to attendance, conduct, academic honesty, grades,
and more. If you are an undergraduate student, please review the catalog each academic year. The current Undergraduate Studies
Catalog is at:

http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/undergraduate-catalog/ (http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/undergraduate-
catalog/)

Graduate Studies Catalog

The Graduate Studies Catalog contains academic policies that apply to all graduate students. The academic policies section of
the catalog contains important information related to conduct, academic honesty, grades, and more. If you are a graduate
student, please review the catalog each academic year. The current Graduate Studies Catalog is at:

http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-catalog/ (http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-catalog/)

Academic Honesty Policy

Webster University is committed to academic excellence. As part of our Statement of Ethics, we strive to preserve academic
honor and integrity by repudiating all forms of academic and intellectual dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism and all other
forms of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty is unacceptable and is subject to a disciplinary response. Students are
encouraged to talk to instructors about any questions they may have regarding how to properly credit others’ work, including
paraphrasing, quoting, and citation formatting. The university reserves the right to utilize electronic databases, such as
Turnitin.com, to assist faculty and students with their academic work.

The University’s Academic Honesty Policy is published in academic catalogs:

Undergraduate
http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/undergraduate-catalog/academic-policies.html
(http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/undergraduate-catalog/academic-policies.html)

Graduate
http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-catalog/academic-policies.html
(http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-catalog/academic-policies.html)

As a part of the University commitment to academic excellence, the Academic Resource Center provides student resources to
become better acquainted with academic honesty and the tools to prevent plagiarism in its many forms:

http://www.webster.edu/arc/plagiarism_prevention/ (http://www.webster.edu/arc/plagiarism_prevention/)

Statement of Ethics
Webster University strives to be a center of academic excellence. The University makes every effort to ensure the following:

The opportunity for students to learn and inquire freely

The protection of intellectual freedom and the rights of professors to teach
The advancement of knowledge through scholarly pursuits and relevant dialogue

To review Webster University's statement of ethics, see the Undergraduate Studies Catalog and the Graduate and Studies
Catalog:

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 Undergraduate
http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/undergraduate-catalog/overview.html#ethics
(http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/undergraduate-catalog/overview.html#ethics)

Graduate
http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-catalog/ethics.html (http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-
catalog/ethics.html)

Important Academic Resources

Academic Accommodations

Webster University makes every effort to accommodate individuals with academic/learning, health, physical and psychological
disabilities. To obtain accommodations, students must identify themselves and provide documentation from a qualified
professional or agency to the appropriate campus designee or the Academic ADA Coordinator at the main campus. The
Academic ADA Coordinator may be reached at 314-246-7700 or disability@webster.edu (mailto:disability@webster.edu).

If you have already identified as a student with a documented disability and are entitled to classroom or testing accommodations,
please inform the instructor of the accommodations you will require for this class at the beginning of the course.

Academic Resource Center

Additional support and resources may be accessed through the Academic Resource Center (ARC). Support and resources include
academic counseling, accommodations, assistive technology, peer tutoring, plagiarism prevention, testing center services, and
writing coaching. Visit www.webster.edu/arc (http://www.webster.edu/arc) or Loretto Hall 40 on the main campus for more
information.

Student Success Portal

Webster University’s Student Success Portal, powered by Starfish, is a communications tool to connect students with faculty
members and campus support services. It allows faculty and staff members to communicate with you regarding academic
achievements as well as areas where support may be helpful.  You may use the portal to contact faculty and staff members for
assistance and to arrange meetings.  Activity in the portal will be communicated to your Webster University email account.  The
Student Success Portal is available via your course home page in WorldClassRoom or via Connections.  Learn more about the
Student Success Portal at http://www.webster.edu/success/students.html (http://www.webster.edu/success/students.html).

University Library

Webster University Library is dedicated to supporting the research needs and intellectual pursuits of students throughout the
University’s worldwide network. Resources include print and electronic books, journal articles, online databases, DVDs and
streaming video, CDs and streaming music, datasets, and other specialized information. Services include providing materials at
no cost and research help for basic questions to in-depth exploration of resources. The gateway to all of these resources and
services is http://library.webster.edu (http://library.webster.edu/). For support navigating the library’s resources, see
http://libanswers.webster.edu/ (http://libanswers.webster.edu/) for the many ways to contact library staff.

Drops and Withdrawals

Drop and withdrawal policies dictate processes for students who wish to unenroll from a course. Students must take proactive
steps to unenroll; informing the instructor is not sufficient, nor is failing to attend. In the early days of the term or semester,
students may DROP a course with no notation on their student record. After the DROP deadline, students may WITHDRAW from a
course; in the case of a WITHDRAW, a grade of W appears on the student record. After the WITHDRAW deadline, students may
not unenroll from a course. Policies and a calendar of deadlines for DROP and WITHDRAW are at:

Undergraduate
http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/undergraduate-catalog/enrollment.html
(http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/undergraduate-catalog/enrollment.html)

Graduate
http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-catalog/enrollment.html
(http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-catalog/enrollment.html)
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 Academic Calendar - http://www.webster.edu/academics/academic-calendar/
(http://www.webster.edu/academics/academic-calendar/)

Current tuition rates, policies, and procedures, including details of pro-rated tuition refunds, are available in the “Tuition, Fees, and
Refunds” section of Webster’s Academic Catalogs:

Undergraduate
http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/undergraduate-catalog/tuition.html
(http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/undergraduate-catalog/tuition.html)

Graduate
http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-catalog/tuition.html (http://www.webster.edu/catalog/current/graduate-
catalog/tuition.html)

Student Handbook and Other Important Policies

Student handbook and other non-academic policies may apply to you and may impact your experience in this class. Such policies
include the student code of conduct, privacy, technology and communications, and more. Please review the handbook each year
and be aware of policies that apply to you. The handbook is available at:

http://www.webster.edu/student-handbook/ (http://www.webster.edu/student-handbook/)

Sexual Assault, Harassment, and Other Sexual Offenses

Webster University makes every effort to educate the community to prevent sexual assault, harassment, and other sexual
offenses from occurring, and is committed to providing support to those affected when this behavior does occur. To access
information and resources or to review the Policy on Sexual Assault, Harassment, and Other Sexual Offenses, visit:

http://www.webster.edu/sexual-misconduct/ (http://www.webster.edu/sexual-misconduct/)

Research on Human Subjects

The Webster University Institutional Review Committee (IRB) is responsible for the review of all research on human subjects. The
IRB process applies to all Webster University faculty, staff, and students and must be completed prior to any contact with human
subjects. For more information on the IRB, visit:

http://www.webster.edu/irb/index.html (http://www.webster.edu/irb/index.html)

Course Evaluations
At the end of this course, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback about your experience. Your input is extremely
valuable to the university, your instructor, and the department that offers this course. Please provide your honest and thoughtful
evaluation, as it helps the university to provide the best experience possible for all of its students.

Important Technology Information

Connections Accounts

Webster University provides all students, faculty, and staff with a University email account through Connections. Students are
expected to activate their Connections account and regularly check incoming University email. Students may choose to have their
University email forwarded to an alternate email address. Connections account holders can call the Help Desk (314-246-5995 or
toll free at 1-866-435-7270) for assistance with this setup. Instructions are also provided on the Information Technology website
at:

http://www.webster.edu/technology/service-desk/ (http://www.webster.edu/technology/service-desk/)

WorldClassRoom

WorldClassRoom is Webster’s Learning Content Management System (LMS). Your instructor may use WorldClassRoom to deliver
important information, to hold class activities, to communicate grades and feedback, and more. WorldClassRoom is available
using your Connections ID at:

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 https://worldclassroom.webster.edu/ (https://worldclassroom.webster.edu/)

Webster Alerts

Webster Alerts is the University's preferred emergency mass notification service, available free to current students, faculty and
staff at all US campuses. By registering a valid cell phone number and email address, you will receive urgent campus text, voice
mail and email communications. Valuable information concerning a range of incidents affecting you - from weather-related
campus closures, class delays and cancellations, to more serious or life-threatening events - are immediately and simultaneously
delivered through multiple communication channels. To register for Webster Alerts, visit:

http://www.webster.edu/technology/services/webster-alerts/ (http://www.webster.edu/technology/services/webster-alerts/)

Academic Accomodations
Webster University makes every effort to accommodate individuals with academic/learning, health, physical and psychological
disabilities. To obtain accommodations, students must identify themselves and provide documentation from a qualified
professional or agency to the appropriate campus designee or the ADA Coordinator at the main campus. The ADA Coordinator
may be reached at 314-246-7700 or disability@webster.edu.

If you have already identified as a student with a documented disability and are entitled to classroom or testing accommodations,
please inform the instructor of the accommodations you will require for this class at the beginning of the course.

Academic Resource Center

Additional support and resources may be accessed through the Academic Resource Center (ARC). Support and resources include
academic counseling, accommodations, assistive technology, peer tutoring, plagiarism prevention, testing center services, and
writing coaching. Visit www.webster.edu/arc or Loretto Hall 40 on the main campus for more information.

 Campus Information

 Additional Items
*Please take careful note of the last day to withdraw from classes. I will not allow late withdrawals or incompletes except in extreme
emergencies.

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