Pre-Law Studies (PLS)

PLS 1000 - Introduction to Law

Credit(s): 0-3 Credits

The purpose of the course is to provide students an introduction to the law and legal principles. The structure of the court system, civil litigation and methods of alternative dispute resolution will be examined. Elements of the following areas of substantive law: torts, contracts, property, trusts and estates, corporations, family law, and criminal law and procedure will be examined. Cross-listed with POLS 1300.

Attributes: Law, Religion and Politics

PLS 1930 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 1-4 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

PLS 2000 - Intro Legal Research & Writing

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course has two main objectives (1) to introduce students to the basics of legal research and writing and (2) to introduce students to the fundamentals of legal reasoning and analysis. Students will be required to complete a series of research and writing exercises and a final legal analysis paper.

PLS 2800 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 1-3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

Pre-Law Studies topics course, content varies by section and semester.

PLS 3000 - Alternative Dispute Resolution

Credit(s): 3 Credits

The purpose of this course is to provide students with the opportunity to study the nature of conflict and explore dispute resolution techniques that provide alternatives to litigation. The course will educate students on specific dispute resolution techniques including: negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and other forms of dispute resolution. While the course is intended to have a health law focus, the practice exercises will cover all areas of conflict resolution.

PLS 3100 - Introduction to Trial Advocacy

Credit(s): 2 Credits

This course teaches students how to prepare a legal case for a jury trial. Students learn the basic building blocks of a jury trial, the development of trial strategy, and the use of evidence at trial. The course focuses on advocacy techniques and the application of those techniques to the court setting. In conjunction with this course, students are encouraged to participate in SLU Mock Trial, a student led group, where students will use the techniques in a practical setting as members of the undergraduate mock trial teams.

PLS 3900 - Intro to Appellate Advocacy

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course introduces students to the role of appellate courts in the American justice system. Students learn and apply the basic elements of appellate argument including brief writing and oral advocacy. Students use a case problem to explore written and oral advocacy techniques in the court of appeals. Students prepare and present an oral argument at the end of the semester based upon the case problem.

PLS 3930 - Special Topics

Credit(s): 3 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

PLS 3935 - Issues in Health Law

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course provides the opportunity to explore basic law as it applies to health-related issues and the health-care community. Special emphasis will be given to those laws that directly affect health-care businesses and care delivery such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The student will also be introduced to the concepts of medical ethics and will explore the interplay between law and major ethical issues in health care. This is a rotating course that will address various areas of law. Possible courses include Sports Law and Race, Gender and Justice. This course cannot substitute for MGT 2000.

PLS 4910 - Legal Internship

Credit(s): 1-6 Credits (Repeatable for credit)

This course is open to Junior and Senior Law Scholars. Interns work in private legal service agency and federal, local, and state judicial systems. Students are directed by SLU School of Law in securing their law internship placement. This internship is offered during the fall and spring semesters and students are encouraged to take this course in the spring of junior year or fall of senior year. If the student has any questions, please contact the Pre-Law program.

Prerequisite(s): PLS 1000; PLS 4965*; Minimum Earned Credits of 60; PLS 2000

* Concurrent enrollment allowed.

Attributes: UUC:Reflection-in-Action

PLS 4965 - Foundations of Law

Credit(s): 3 Credits

This course is open to Pre-Law Scholars. Pre-Law students who have a GPA of 3.60 or higher can petition the course instructor for inclusion in the course. This is a seminar conducted by faculty of the School of Law. A final paper and class participation are major determinants of the grade. Cross-listed with POLS 3340.