Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Legal Research and Writing (Online)

LEGL 2000-30I

Course: LEGL 2000-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: PSCJ
CRN: 12472

Course Description

Functions of the law library, indexing, and cataloging systems. Development of research skills using indexing systems, digests, encyclopedias, reporter systems, practice manuals, and computerized legal research programs and related legal memoranda. Extensive legal briefs and appellate practicum with significant out-of-class research. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): LEGL 1100 recommended Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

Bast, Carol M. and Hawkins, Margie (2012). Foundations of Legal Writing and Research. 5th edition. Clifton Park, NY: Cengage. ISBN: 9781133278290

Columbia Law Review, et. al. (2015). The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation. 20th edition. Claitors Publishing. ISBN: 9788925598376 (Optional)

Learning Outcomes


By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Understand the historic foundation of the American Legal System with an emphasis on primary vs. secondary sources of law, classification of law, and hierarchy of law and legal resources.
  2. Find and analyze law-related resources found in a library and categorize the type of law such materials include and its authority and jurisdiction through proper legal citation formats.

  3. Perform basic legal analysis including statutory analysis and case briefing, and craft legal analysis into comprehensive legal arguments and complex legal writing with proper citation of legal authority pursuant to uniform standards.  
  4. Understand legal professional practices, ethical standards, procedural requirements and perform basic legal office practices

Course Requirements


HOMEWORK/DISCUSSION ASSIGNMENTS: 15% (individual assignments)


CITATION EXERCISES: 15% (individual assignment)


COMPUTER RESEARCH EXERCISES: 10% (individual assignment)


PROJECT ONE:  Case Brief 10% (individual assignment)


PROJECT TWO:  Research Journal: 15% (assigned with group)


PROJECT THREE: Law Office Memorandum 15% (assigned with group)

PROJECT FOUR:  Appellate Brief 20% (assigned with group)           

Course Outline


TENTATIVE COURSE CALENDAR (subject to change upon notice)


(Each MODULE accounts for one week per the 14 week semester with specific dates relating to each MODULE and due dates for assignments, discussions, projects, and exam  to be found under the MODULES tab)


FIRST WEEK OF CLASS 
(Introductions; Course Overview; Syllabus; Pre-Course Assessment)


MODULE ONE:  THE LAW and ITS PRIMARY SOURCES
 

  • Reading: Chapter 1. Law and Sources of Law. 
  • Reading: Chapter 5. Primary Sources: Constitutions, Statutes, Court Rules, and Administrative Law. 
  • Additional Materials: Powerpoints - Constitution, Statutes & Statutory Analysis, and Regulations 
  • HOMEWORK QUIZ
  • MODULE 1 DISCUSSION


MODULE TWO:  Primary Sources of Law (cont'd); The Judicial Branch and Case Law
 
  • Reading: Chapter 4. The Judicial Branch and Cases
  • Additional Materials: Powerpoint - Court Opinions - Opinions & Elements of a Case Brief
  • Assignment of Legal Teams for Group Projects
  • HOMEWORK QUIZ 
  • MODULE 2 DISCUSSION 


MODULE THREE:   Secondary Sources of the Law; Finding Tools; Citators; Legal Hierarchy & Classifications; Conflict of Laws
 

  • Reading:  Chapter 3. Secondary Sources and Finding Tools. 
  • Reading:  Chapter 6. Citators. 
  • Additional Materials: Powerpoints – Secondary Sources & Finding Tools, KeyCite Information w/Lexis-Nexis, Conflict of Laws
  • HOMEWORK QUIZ
  • MODULE 3 DISCUSSION


MODULE FOUR:  Legal Citations and Use of the BLUEBOOK

  • Readings:  Portions of Chapters One, Three, Four, Five, & Six Regarding Citations of Primary and Secondary Authority   
  • Readings: Appendix B.  Locating and Citing to Cases
  • Readings: Appendix C.  Rules for Quotations and Short-Form Citations
  • Additional Materials: Powerpoints - Bluebook Citations, Court Abbreviations. 
  • HOMEWORK QUIZ
  • MODULE 4 DISCUSSION


MODULE FIVE: Citation Exercises

  • CITATION EXERCISES ASSIGNMENT 


MODULE SIX:  Computer-Assisted Legal Research (CALR)

  • Reading:  Chapter 8. Computer-Assisted Legal Research.
  • Reading: Appendix F.  Internet Technology
  • Reading: Appendix G.  Legal Research Starting Points and Web Search Tools
  • Reading: Appendix H.  Federal Law Web Resources
  • Reading: Appendix I.  State and Municipal Government Law Web Resources
  • Reading: Appendix J. International Law Web Resources
  • Review of Lexis Nexis from SUU Library Site
  • Additional Materials: Powerpoint – Legal Research Online
  • COMPUTER (CALR) EXERCISES ASSIGNMENT 


MODULE SEVEN:  Legal Reasoning & Analysis/Case Briefing

  • Reading: Chapter 2. Legal Reasoning and Analysis.
  • Reading: Chapter 4. The Judicial Branch and Cases (pages 122-124 re CASE BRIEFING)
  • Review of MODULE TWO Readings/ PowerPoint on Case Briefing and IRAC Method of Legal Analysis
  • Additional Materials:  Powerpoints – Elements of a Case Brief, Case Brief/IRAC Format
  • PROJECT ONE: “DRAFT” CASE BRIEF DUE

MODULE EIGHT:  Research and Ethics

  • Reading:  Chapter 7. Overview of the Research Process and Ethical Considerations.
  • Additional Materials: Powerpoint - Case Law Research Considerations & Citators
  • Legal Analysis and Legal Writing
    • hypothetical fact scenario to be used in future writing projects 
  • PROJECT ONE: CASE BRIEF ASSIGNMENT DUE

MODULE NINE:  Legal Research Journal

  • Reading:  Module 9 Information
  • Overview of Research Journal Project
    • hypothetical fact scenario to be used 
  • MODULE 9 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
  • PROJECT TWO: RESEARCH JOURNAL 


MODULE TEN:  Fundamentals of Writing; Legal Writing Introduction; Law Office Memorandum 
  • Reading:  Chapter 9. Introduction to Legal Writing.
  • Reading:  Chapter 10. Fundamentals of Writing.
  • Reading:  Appendix D.  Mechanical Errors
  • Reading:  Chapter 13. Law Office Memo
  • Additional Materials:  Powerpoints – Rule of Law/Case Synthesis, Legal Memorandum Information
  • MODULE 10 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
  • OPTIONAL – ROAD MAP TEMPLATE FOR LAW OFFICE MEMO (EXTRA CREDIT)
  • PROJECT THREE: LAW OFFICE MEMORANDUM


MODULE ELEVEN: Transmittal Letter, Client Opinion Letter, E-Mail Correspondence, and Pleadings

  • Reading:  Chapter 11. Transmittal Letter, Client Opinion Letter, and E-Mail Correspondence 
  • Reading: Chapter 12. Pleadings 
  • Reading: Chapter 14. Memorandum of Law

MODULE TWELVE:  Appellate Brief

  • Reading:  Chapter 15. Appellate Brief
  • Additional Materials: How to Cite to Lower Court Record & Documents
  • Overview of Appellate Brief Project

MODULE THIRTEEN: Appellate Brief (continued)

  • DRAFT OF PROJECT FOUR: APPELLATE BRIEF DUE


 MODULE FOURTEEN: Final Appellate Brief & End of Course

  • Additional Information: Final Overview of LEGL 2000
  • FINAL -  PROJECT FOUR: APPELLATE BRIEF 
  • FINAL DISCUSSION POST

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work


Each week students will be assigned readings, studies, homework/discussions, project work, etc. and they are to complete such matters in a timely fashion.


All assignments, projects, homework, and the like are due and must be received online on or before the matter’s due date.  Late submissions will not be accepted without prior approval only from the instructor.  In the event of an emergency or exceptional circumstance, an allowance may be made at the instructor’s discretion if requested by the student to the instructor as soon as possible after the emergency.


Professional behavior is expected. This means that contrary and/or minority opinions are encouraged, and we will treat each other respectfully as adults in all communication venues. Furthermore, discussion threads and other posts in Canvas should be written in complete sentences using correct spelling and grammar. Informal text-talk and sloppy writing will be reflected in your grade.

You are expected to check your university email and Canvas regularly, as these are methods of communication for this class. Your participation is vital to your success in this course.

Attendance Policy

This is an online course without required attendance.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.