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Marily Nixon, Esq.
This course introduces relevant legal topics through flexible weekly modules, allowing completion within five weeks or less. Each standalone module is designed to be completed independently, so you can engage with all five modules or focus on the ones most relevant to your needs. Topics covered include an overview of the U.S. legal system, healthcare compliance with a focus on HIPAA regulations, human resources law addressing issues like disability discrimination and workplace policies, corporate compliance exploring ethics and emerging trends, and international business law covering dispute resolution and enforcing judgments across borders.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/z9prvq/law
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What's inside
Syllabus
Getting Started
Welcome to the Getting Started module, where you'll find the course welcome, an overview of the structure, and insights into the module content covering key areas of U.S. legal systems, healthcare compliance, human resources law, corporate compliance, and international business law.
Read more
Syllabus
Getting Started
Welcome to the Getting Started module, where you'll find the course welcome, an overview of the structure, and insights into the module content covering key areas of U.S. legal systems, healthcare compliance, human resources law, corporate compliance, and international business law.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Develops legal knowledge that is core for navigating U.S. law and is useful for personal growth and development
Taught by Marily Nixon, an attorney with vast experience in all areas of law covered
Examines essential legal topics highly relevant for employment, business, and organizations
Course modules are self-contained and flexible, allowing for tailored learning
Explores emerging trends and best practices in corporate compliance
Meets industry standards by presenting a comprehensive overview of key aspects of U.S. and international law
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Reviews summary
Practical legal insights for professionals
According to students, this course offers practical and relevant legal insights across various domains. Learners particularly praise its flexible weekly modules, which allow them to focus on areas most pertinent to their professional needs, such as HIPAA regulations, human resources law, and corporate compliance. The course is noted for its clear and accessible explanations of complex legal concepts, making it ideal for those seeking a solid foundational understanding without needing a law degree. While largely positive, some professional learners suggest it might be too basic for specialists already deeply immersed in specific legal fields, occasionally desiring more in-depth case studies or advanced scenarios. Recent reviews highlight its up-to-date content, especially on contemporary policy changes.
Regularly updated to reflect contemporary issues.
"I found the initial module on the US legal system a bit dry and too generalized... The information felt a bit outdated in parts."
"Fantastic and up-to-date content! I just completed the HR module and found the information on vaccination policies extremely current and relevant."
"The course clearly addresses contemporary issues. This is a big improvement."
Provides a strong base in legal concepts.
"This course offers a solid foundation in various legal areas."
"It's not a law degree, but it gives you enough 'law you can use'."
"The instructors broke down complex legal topics into manageable, understandable chunks."
"I gained a solid foundation from completing this course."
Standalone modules allow focus on specific needs.
"I appreciate the flexible structure, allowing me to focus on modules most pertinent to my needs."
"The flexibility to choose which modules to complete was a huge plus, though I ended up doing all five."
"The content was clear and presented in an accessible way, making complex legal concepts understandable."
"The explanations were easy to follow, and I feel much more confident navigating basic legal requirements."
Content is highly applicable to professional roles.
"This is an excellent course for understanding the practical legal aspects relevant to business operations."
"The HIPAA module was incredibly detailed and helpful for my work in healthcare administration."
"As a small business owner, I found the modules on corporate compliance and HR law particularly relevant."
"The course clearly addresses contemporary issues. I found it very practical and well-organized."
May be too basic for those with prior expertise.
"For someone already working in compliance, some parts felt very basic. The pace was a bit slow for me."
"This course is good for absolute beginners, but it might be too broad for specialists."
"I felt some areas, like international business law, were a bit high-level and could benefit from more in-depth case studies."
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 Law You Can Use with these
activities:
Review: The Essentials of Law
Show steps
Provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of law, enhancing understanding of legal concepts and principles.
Show steps
-
Read the book thoroughly
-
Take notes on key legal principles
-
Discuss the book with a peer or mentor
Organize Course Notes and Materials
Show steps
Organizing course notes and materials will help students stay on top of the course material and make it easier to study for exams.
Show steps
-
Create a system for organizing your notes and materials
-
Regularly add to your system as you complete new lessons
-
Review your notes and materials regularly
Follow Legal Research Tutorials
Show steps
Builds proficiency in legal research by following guided tutorials, improving the ability to locate and analyze legal sources.
Browse courses on
Legal Research
Show steps
-
Identify a legal research topic
-
Find a reputable online tutorial
-
Follow the tutorial steps carefully
Nine other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 12 activities
Peer Review Legal Documents
Show steps
Enhances critical thinking and legal analysis through peer review of legal documents, providing feedback and improving understanding.
Show steps
-
Find a peer who is also taking the course
-
Exchange legal documents for review
-
Provide constructive feedback on legal reasoning, clarity, and organization
Follow a Tutorial on International Business Dispute Resolution
Show steps
Following a tutorial on international business dispute resolution will help students learn about the different methods of resolving disputes across borders.
Show steps
-
Search for a tutorial on international business dispute resolution
-
Watch the tutorial and take notes
-
Complete any exercises or quizzes that are included in the tutorial
Solve Case Studies on Disability Discrimination
Show steps
Solving case studies on disability discrimination will help students apply the legal principles they learn in the course to real-world situations.
Show steps
-
Read the case study and identify the legal issues involved
-
Research the relevant laws and regulations
-
Analyze the facts of the case and apply the law to the facts
-
Write a summary of your analysis and conclusions
Practice Healthcare Compliance Plan
Show steps
Creates a draft healthcare compliance plan to proactively ensure compliance and provide hands-on experience in understanding HIPAA regulations.
Show steps
-
Review HIPAA regulations and guidelines
-
Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities
-
Develop policies and procedures for data privacy and security
-
Implement the compliance plan and monitor its effectiveness
Join a Study Group to Discuss Course Concepts
Show steps
Joining a study group will allow students to discuss the course concepts with their peers and get help with any questions they have.
Show steps
-
Find a study group that meets regularly
-
Attend the study group meetings and participate in the discussions
-
Ask questions and share your insights
-
Help other students understand the course concepts
Develop Workplace Policy
Show steps
Reinforces understanding of HR law by creating a comprehensive workplace policy addressing issues like disability discrimination and employee rights.
Browse courses on
Workplace Policies
Show steps
-
Identify a workplace issue or concern
-
Research relevant laws and regulations
-
Draft a clear and concise policy
-
Review and finalize the policy
Practice International Dispute Resolution
Show steps
Enhances understanding of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and international judgment enforcement strategies.
Show steps
-
Read case studies on international disputes
-
Simulate negotiation, mediation, and arbitration processes
-
Research and analyze international judgment enforcement procedures
Develop Corporate Compliance Report
Show steps
Applies knowledge of corporate compliance by creating a comprehensive report that evaluates ethical issues and compliance risks in a business organization.
Show steps
-
Conduct a risk assessment
-
Identify and analyze ethical issues
-
Develop and implement compliance measures
-
Create a comprehensive compliance report
Draft a Corporate Compliance Policy
Show steps
Drafting a corporate compliance policy will help students understand the key elements of an effective compliance program and how to implement one in their own organization.
Show steps
-
Research the legal and regulatory requirements for corporate compliance
-
Identify the risks that the organization faces
-
Develop policies and procedures to address the risks
-
Write a compliance policy that outlines the organization's commitment to compliance and the policies and procedures that will be implemented
Review: The Essentials of Law
Show steps
Provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of law, enhancing understanding of legal concepts and principles.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book thoroughly
- Take notes on key legal principles
- Discuss the book with a peer or mentor
Organize Course Notes and Materials
Show steps
Organizing course notes and materials will help students stay on top of the course material and make it easier to study for exams.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Create a system for organizing your notes and materials
- Regularly add to your system as you complete new lessons
- Review your notes and materials regularly
Follow Legal Research Tutorials
Show steps
Builds proficiency in legal research by following guided tutorials, improving the ability to locate and analyze legal sources.
Browse courses on
Legal Research
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a legal research topic
- Find a reputable online tutorial
- Follow the tutorial steps carefully
Nine other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 12 activities
Peer Review Legal Documents
Show steps
Enhances critical thinking and legal analysis through peer review of legal documents, providing feedback and improving understanding.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a peer who is also taking the course
- Exchange legal documents for review
- Provide constructive feedback on legal reasoning, clarity, and organization
Follow a Tutorial on International Business Dispute Resolution
Show steps
Following a tutorial on international business dispute resolution will help students learn about the different methods of resolving disputes across borders.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Search for a tutorial on international business dispute resolution
- Watch the tutorial and take notes
- Complete any exercises or quizzes that are included in the tutorial
Solve Case Studies on Disability Discrimination
Show steps
Solving case studies on disability discrimination will help students apply the legal principles they learn in the course to real-world situations.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the case study and identify the legal issues involved
- Research the relevant laws and regulations
- Analyze the facts of the case and apply the law to the facts
- Write a summary of your analysis and conclusions
Practice Healthcare Compliance Plan
Show steps
Creates a draft healthcare compliance plan to proactively ensure compliance and provide hands-on experience in understanding HIPAA regulations.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review HIPAA regulations and guidelines
- Identify potential risks and vulnerabilities
- Develop policies and procedures for data privacy and security
- Implement the compliance plan and monitor its effectiveness
Join a Study Group to Discuss Course Concepts
Show steps
Joining a study group will allow students to discuss the course concepts with their peers and get help with any questions they have.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a study group that meets regularly
- Attend the study group meetings and participate in the discussions
- Ask questions and share your insights
- Help other students understand the course concepts
Develop Workplace Policy
Show steps
Reinforces understanding of HR law by creating a comprehensive workplace policy addressing issues like disability discrimination and employee rights.
Browse courses on
Workplace Policies
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a workplace issue or concern
- Research relevant laws and regulations
- Draft a clear and concise policy
- Review and finalize the policy
Practice International Dispute Resolution
Show steps
Enhances understanding of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and international judgment enforcement strategies.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read case studies on international disputes
- Simulate negotiation, mediation, and arbitration processes
- Research and analyze international judgment enforcement procedures
Develop Corporate Compliance Report
Show steps
Applies knowledge of corporate compliance by creating a comprehensive report that evaluates ethical issues and compliance risks in a business organization.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Conduct a risk assessment
- Identify and analyze ethical issues
- Develop and implement compliance measures
- Create a comprehensive compliance report
Draft a Corporate Compliance Policy
Show steps
Drafting a corporate compliance policy will help students understand the key elements of an effective compliance program and how to implement one in their own organization.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research the legal and regulatory requirements for corporate compliance
- Identify the risks that the organization faces
- Develop policies and procedures to address the risks
- Write a compliance policy that outlines the organization's commitment to compliance and the policies and procedures that will be implemented
Career center
Learners who complete Law You Can Use will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/z9prvq/law
Reading list
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OpenCourser.com/course/z9prvq/law
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Effort
5 weeks (each week 3 hours)
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Pittsburgh
Instructor
Marily Nixon, Esq.
Language
English
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