Courses

  • CIVIL PROCEDURE (CIVIL PROCEDURE - 1000)

    4 credits

    This first year course is concerned with the statutory and judicially established procedures governing the conduct of civil litigation in the courts, with an emphasis on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The course examines in depth principles of jurisdiction, conflict of laws, pleadings, joinder of parties (including class actions), motions, summary judgment, discovery and the doctrine of preclusion. Grades are based upon a final examination.

  • CONSUMER PROTECTION (INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS - 1020)

    3 credits

    This course explores the laws governing a variety of oppressive practices merchants engage in, including unfair and deceptive advertising, bait and switch transactions, and referral sales. The course also examines the law governing credit cards and other consumer credit transactions, including credit reporting, credit discrimination, abusive collection practices, and usury. Also covered are cooling off periods, debit cards, the cutting off of consumer claims and defenses, and how consumers can assert their rights. The course covers the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Consumer Credit Protection Act (including the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, the Electronic Fund Transfers Act, the Truth in Lending Act, and the Fair Credit Billing Act), the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, and various New York State statutes. Grades are based upon a final examination.

  • INTRODUCTION TO LAW (LEGAL METHOD - 1000)

    2 credits

    This course introduces methods and ideas that are fundamental components of the American legal system, with an emphasis on case law analysis and statutory interpretation. A passing grade requires regular attendance and satisfactory completion of several writing assignments.

  • THEATER LAW (THEORY,HIST.& STRUCTURE OF LAW - 1080)

    2 credits

    The staging of a play or musical involves numerous legal relationships and obligations. Accordingly, this course surveys the law governing the theater industry, including the authorship rights of playwrights; the financial rights of investors; the rights and obligations of performers, directors, choreographers, designers, musicians, and crew; and the attendance rights of audiences. Although our main concern will be Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, we also will spend time considering the legal rights and duties of amateur theater groups. The course explores the application of numerous legal doctrines to theaters, including property rights (e.g., leasing issues, building codes, the sale of naming rights); tort issues (e.g., defamation suits against critics, liability for injuries in theaters); employment law issues, and contract issues. Grades are based upon a research paper, presentation of the paper to the class, participation in a simulation, and class participation.