An introduction to the theory and practice of legal research through library exercises and writing assignments. Emphasis is placed on the development of practical research skills through the use of all major types of research materials available to the legal practitioner.
- Categorize the methods of legal research.
- Examine various federal and state court reporting systems.
- Evaluate and employ case verification and updating.
- Analyze and Locate cases by name, citation, or topic using various sources.
- Examine statutory publications and learn how to employ them in research.
- Examine constitutional law, legislative history and regulatory structures.
- Evaluate court rules and practice.
- Locate and utilize relevant legal periodicals.
- Understand the differences between law encyclopedias, restatements and hornbooks and be able to use them to locate relevant information.
- Utilize legal and non-legal research sources to find the necessary material.
- Implement various legal research strategies.
- Synthesize course concepts through interaction and discussion with other learners and faculty mentor.
- Integrate course concepts in the form of a Final Paper.
- Synthesize course concepts through the use of analytical lessons.