An Introduction to American Law from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome

Tort Law

Tort law governs how people may sue each other civilly (as opposed to criminally) in order to receive compensation for harms or injuries other people caused them. In this module, Professor Allen will explore the goals of tort law through a historic case. She will address what makes tort law distinct and issues surrounding negligence and liability.

Contract Law

Contract law governs how promises between two individuals are enforced. Few areas of law impact our daily lives as much as contract law, and in this module you will gain a deeper understanding of what a contract is and what makes it enforceable. Professor Wilkinson-Ryan will address what constitutes a contract, why the law enforces them, the legal meanings of words in contracts, and the important requirement of consideration. Expectation damages, or the amount a court orders someone who breached a contract to pay will also be explored, all through hypothetical and real cases.

Property Law

Property law governs the relationship between individuals and things, known as property. In this module, Professor Balganesh will explore the differences between property and tort and contract law and about several specific examples of property law in action: adverse possession, landlord/tenant, and licenses. You will learn about what makes U.S. property law distinct - its origins in common law, imprint of legal realism, and pragmatism.

Constitutional Law

The study of constitutional law is among the most exciting parts of the law because it provides for the structure and functioning of the U.S. government. In this module, Dean Ruger will address the document itself, how it has been applied over time, the history of the document, and what makes it unique. The structure of the U.S. government as a government of limited, separated powers will be explored along with the important individual rights the Constitution provides and how the U.S. Constitution compares to others around the world.

Criminal Law

In this module, Professor Morse will focus on the basics of criminal law, an area of law so exciting that countless TV shows and movies have been based on it. The major aspects of criminal law will be discussed - why we impose punishment, when we impose the most punishment, and how the state proves a criminal case. Defenses to criminal charges, which are divided into justifications and excuses will also be addressed.

Civil Procedure

In this module, Professor Wolff will introduce us to some of the major issues in civil procedure law. Civil procedure is the study of the rules of court that must be followed by the judge and parties in civil cases (as opposed to criminal cases – criminal procedure is a whole other area of the law, but law students learn civil procedure first because it gives the structure of typical trials). The essence of a law school civil procedure course is the study of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. A copy of these is linked in the syllabus for you to scan. The rules tell you how to file a lawsuit and how the court must function while it is considering a lawsuit. Professor Wolff will introduce you to the doctrinal area of procedure and will highlight some of the major modern issues in procedure law.

Final Exam

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a solid foundation for students who lack a legal background

Covers a variety of legal subjects, giving students a broad overview of American law

Taught by experienced and well-respected law professors

Includes interactive materials and discussions, making it more engaging for students

May be suitable for students who are considering a career in law

Requires students to have a basic understanding of legal terminology and concepts

Reviews summary

Helpful introduction to american law

Learners say this course is a well-rounded introduction to American law. It has fantastic lectures, and weekly tests. Students felt the course was very informative, helpful, and may help them determine if they have an interest in law school. They believed the law professors were great, and the lectures were complete and interesting.

Course may determine whether learners are interested in attending law school.

"This is a great course! I highly recommend it for anyone contemplating attending law school."

Course is helpful for understanding various aspects of American Law.

"The course was very helpful for me to get acquainted with the realms of American Law."

"I learned a great deal and even having discussions with friends who found I knew as much they did after their first year in law school."

Lectures are excellent and keep students engaged throughout the course.

"The lectures are fantastic and the tests for each week is also useful"

"The lectures were compete and interesting."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in An Introduction to American Law with these activities:

Introduction to American Law Textbook by Theodore Ruger, Professor of Law and Dean, University of Pennsylvania Law School

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This book provides an excellent overview of the American legal system, making it an ideal resource for students who are new to the subject.

View Product Liability (Litigation Series) on Amazon

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Read the Introduction and Chapter 1.
Take notes on the key concepts discussed in the readings.
Discuss the readings with a classmate or friend.

Watch a video lecture on a legal topic

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This activity will help students to learn about a new legal topic or to review a topic that they have already covered in class.

Browse courses on Property Law

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Find a video lecture on a legal topic that you are interested in.
Watch the video lecture and take notes on the key points.
Discuss the video lecture with a classmate or friend.

Practice answering multiple-choice questions

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This activity will help students to prepare for the multiple-choice questions that they will encounter on the exam.

Browse courses on Multiple Choice Questions

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Find a set of multiple-choice questions online or in a textbook.
Answer the questions without looking at the answer key.
Check your answers and review the questions that you got wrong.

Four other activities

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Join a study group

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This activity will help students to learn from their peers and to get support from others who are also taking the course.

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Find a study group that meets regularly.
Attend the study group meetings and participate in the discussions.
Help your fellow study group members to understand the material.

Write a summary of a court case

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This activity will help students to develop their legal research and writing skills.

Browse courses on Case Law

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Choose a court case that you are interested in.
Read the case and take notes on the key facts and legal issues.
Write a summary of the case, including the facts, legal issues, and holding.

Create a presentation on a legal topic

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This activity will help students to develop their oral communication skills and their ability to think critically about legal issues.

Browse courses on Oral Communication

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Choose a legal topic that you are interested in.
Research the topic and gather information from a variety of sources.
Create a presentation that includes an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Practice your presentation and deliver it to a group of classmates or friends.

Participate in a moot court competition

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This activity will give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge of the law in a real-world setting.

Browse courses on Tort Law

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Join a moot court team.
Research the case that you will be arguing.
Write a brief and prepare your oral arguments.
Compete in the moot court competition.

Career center

Learners who complete An Introduction to American Law will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Legal Researcher

A Legal Researcher conducts legal research for lawyers and other legal professionals. A strong understanding of American law is essential for this role, as Legal Researchers must be able to find and interpret legal sources. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This comprehensive understanding of the law will help Legal Researchers to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legal Researcher

Legal Assistant

A Legal Assistant provides administrative and legal support to lawyers and other legal professionals. A strong understanding of American law is essential for this role, as Legal Assistants must be able to understand and apply legal principles to their work. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This comprehensive understanding of the law will help Legal Assistants to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legal Assistant

Compliance Officer

A Compliance Officer ensures that a company complies with all applicable laws and regulations. A strong understanding of American law is essential for this role, as Compliance Officers must be able to interpret and apply the law to their work. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This comprehensive understanding of the law will help Compliance Officers to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compliance Officer

Lawyer

A Lawyer advises and represents clients in courts, before government agencies, and in private matters. Understanding American law is critical for success in this role, as it provides a foundation for understanding the legal system and how to apply the law to specific cases. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This comprehensive understanding of the law will be invaluable for aspiring Lawyers.

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Paralegal

A Paralegal provides legal support to lawyers and other legal professionals. A strong understanding of American law is essential for this role, as Paralegals must be able to understand and apply legal principles to their work. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This comprehensive understanding of the law will help Paralegals to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Paralegal

Judge

A Judge presides over legal proceedings and makes decisions based on the law. A strong understanding of American law is essential for this role, as Judges must be able to interpret and apply the law to their work. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This comprehensive understanding of the law will help Judges to succeed in their roles.

See salaries and explore the career path for Judge

Legal Writer

A Legal Writer writes legal documents, such as contracts, wills, and pleadings. A strong understanding of American law is essential for this role, as Legal Writers must be able to write clear and concise legal documents. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This comprehensive understanding of the law will help Legal Writers to succeed in their roles.

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Arbitrator

An Arbitrator is a neutral third party who resolves disputes between two or more parties. A strong understanding of American law is essential for this role, as Arbitrators must be able to interpret and apply the law to their work. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This comprehensive understanding of the law will help Arbitrators to succeed in their roles.

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Law Professor

A Law Professor teaches law at a university or law school. A strong understanding of American law is essential for this role, as Law Professors must be able to teach and write about the law. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This comprehensive understanding of the law will help Law Professors to succeed in their roles.

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Risk Manager

A Risk Manager identifies, assesses, and manages risks for a company. A strong understanding of American law is helpful for this role, as Risk Managers must be able to understand and apply the law to their work. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This overview will help Risk Managers to understand the legal implications of their work.

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Claims Adjuster

A Claims Adjuster investigates and settles insurance claims. A basic understanding of American law may be helpful for this role, as it can provide context for the work that Claims Adjusters do. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This overview will help Claims Adjusters to understand the legal system and how it works.

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Lobbyist

A Lobbyist represents the interests of a particular group or organization before the government. A basic understanding of American law may be helpful for this role, as it can provide context for the work that Lobbyists do. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This overview will help Lobbyists to understand the legal system and how it works.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lobbyist

Insurance Adjuster

An Insurance Adjuster investigates and settles insurance claims. A basic understanding of American law may be helpful for this role, as it can provide context for the work that Insurance Adjusters do. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This overview will help Insurance Adjusters to understand the legal system and how it works.

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Mediator

A Mediator is a neutral third party who helps disputing parties reach a settlement. A basic understanding of American law may be helpful for this role, as it can provide context for the work that Mediators do. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This overview will help Mediators to understand the legal system and how it works.

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Legal Secretary

A Legal Secretary provides administrative and clerical support to lawyers and other legal professionals. A basic understanding of American law may be helpful for this role, as it can provide context for the work that Legal Secretaries do. This course provides an overview of six different areas of American law, including tort law, contract law, property law, constitutional law, criminal law, and civil procedure. This overview will help Legal Secretaries to understand the legal system and how it works.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legal Secretary