Law Course Descriptions

LAW 280: Mock Trial I, 1 credit

Preparation for Mock Trial Competitions in the upcoming year. Emphasis is placed on building the skills necessary to compete in upcoming American Mock Trial Association Invitational Tournaments. Each student will be a part of a team responsible for the development of a case to be tried in a court of law—including opening statement, introduction of testimony, physical, and demonstrative evidence, direct and cross examination of witnesses, closing arguments, etc. Students will participate in competitions both on and off campus.

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Have improved their critical thinking, teamwork, and communications skills, as well as their ability to adapt to feedback.
2. Understand how trials are conducted in courtrooms around the United States.
3. Understand the relationship between an opening and a closing statement.
4. Understand how to prepare a case-in-chief for both sides of an argument.
5. Understand the rules of evidence and procedure for competing on behalf of Northwood University in intercollegiate tournaments sponsored by the American Mock Trial Association.
6. Understand how to clearly articulate their case theory through witness testimony.
7. Understand how to complete an effective direct examination and cross examination.
8. Understand how to deliver as a team an effective coherent and convincing explanation of why their client should prevail in this action.
9. Understand the variables that impact team awards and individual awards in inter-collegiate competition.
10. Have fun while working hard to prepare for and compete against students from the nation’s top colleges and universities.

LAW 281: Mock Trial II, 1 credit

Preparation for upcoming Mock Trial Regional Competition. Students who have taken Law 280 will have competed at invitational tournaments sponsored by the American Mock Trial Association. During this course, as a member of the Regional Team, students will be obligated to perform the same skills introduced in the Law 280 course—only at a higher level.
Prerequisite: LAW 280

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Have improved their critical thinking, teamwork, and communications skills, as well as their ability to adapt to feedback.
2. Understand the how trials are conducted in courtrooms around the United States.
3. Understand the relationship between an opening and a closing statement.
4. Understand how to prepare a case-in-chief for both sides of an argument.
5. Understand the rules of evidence and procedure for competing on behalf of Northwood University in intercollegiate tournaments sponsored by the American Mock Trial Association.
6. Understand how to clearly articulate their case theory through witness testimony.
7. Understand how to complete an effective direct examination and cross examination.
8. Understand how to deliver as a team an effective coherent and convincing explanation of why their client should prevail in this action.
9. Understand the variables that impact team awards and individual awards in intercollegiate competition.
10. Have fun while working hard to prepare for and compete against students from this nation’s top colleges and universities in regional competition.

LAW 282: Mock Trial III, 1 credit

Preparation for upcoming Mock Trial National Competition. Students who have taken Law 280 will have competed at Invitational Tournaments and those who have taken Law 281 will have competed at the Regional Tournament. During this course, as a member of the National Team, students will be obligated to perform the same skills introduced in the Law 280 course and improved upon in the Law 281 course—only at a higher level.
Prerequisite: LAW 281

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Have improved their critical thinking, teamwork, and communications skills, as well as their ability to adapt to feedback.
2. Understand how trials are conducted in courtrooms around the United States.
3. Understand the relationship between an opening and a closing statement.
4. Understand how to prepare a case-in-chief for both sides of an argument.
5. Understand the rules of evidence and procedure for competing on behalf of Northwood University in intercollegiate tournaments sponsored by the American Mock Trial Association.
6. Understand how to clearly articulate their case theory through witness testimony.
7. Understand how to complete an effective direct examination and cross examination.
8. Understand how to deliver as a team an effective coherent and convincing explanation of why their client should prevail in this action.
9. Understand the variables that impact team awards and individual awards in intercollegiate competition.
10. Have fun while working hard to prepare for and compete against students from this nation’s top colleges and universities in national competition.

LAW 300: Business Law I, 4 credits

Basic principles of law applicable to the business world, emphasizing contracts and sales, as well as period after sales, bailments, negotiable instruments, agency, partnerships, corporations, insurance, and real estate.

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Understand the value of legal counsel.
2. Understand the origin and meaning of law.
3. Understand the court system and various court jurisdictions.
4. Understand the provisions of the Uniform Commercial code including the nature and classes of contracts, their assignment and termination.
5. Understand sales contract, chattel property, and bailment contracts.
6. Understand the development of negotiable instruments, rights and privileges of the holder, and their terms and applications.
7. Have a working knowledge of the legal application of the corporate entity.
8. Understand agency contracts and their application in the business world.
9. Understand the legal aspects of real property and intellectual property rights.
10. Understand bankruptcy and its results.

LAW 301: Business Law II, 4 credits

An in-depth study of contract law with special emphasis on those points of law that would be of particular importance to students planning careers in accounting, especially those considering qualifying as Certified Public Accountants.
Prerequisite: LAW 300

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Be able to participate in business transactions more easily having learned the most common areas of business law. 
2. Understand principles of the Law in the following areas: Contracts; Real Property; Personal Property; Bailments; Uniform Commercial Code; Sales; Commercial Paper; Negotiable Documents; Secured Transactions; Bankruptcy; Agency; Corporations; Partnerships; Wills, Trusts, and Estates. 
3. Be prepared to successfully complete the Law Section of the CPA exam.
4. Know the language of Law as it applies to accounting transactions and other business activities.
5. Have been exposed to an actual "live" courtroom experience by preparing for and participating in a Moot Court assignment.
6. Have the confidence to advance their careers with a background of the Law as it applies to accounting and business.

LAW 401: International Law, 4 credits

Provides an overview of the international legal environment, including an emphasis on common and code law systems and their impact on the conduct of international business. Explores international jurisdiction, world legal agreements and bodies, treaty agreements and treaty law.
Prerequisites: LAW 300 and ECN 400

Goals and Objectives
By the end of this course, Northwood wants students to:

1. Appreciate the complexity of the international legal environment.
2. Understand international rules of contact interpretation.
3. Understand the steps in the shipping and trade financing process for the international sale of goods.
4. Understand the fundamentals concepts of Regional Trade Agreements and WTO law.
5. Develop an understanding of the international customs system.
6. Understand and appreciate the legal and ethical considerations of marketing law in other nations.
7. Understand the variation across countries regarding labor and employment law.