Clear reasoning, mature balance of judgment and an ability to appreciate and articulate the problems involved in the administration of justice are essential to a sound paralegal education. According to the Association of American Law Schools these qualities “are not the monopoly of any one subject-matter area or department, nor certainly any particular course or combination of courses.” Students may meet the academic requirements for admission to Law School upon satisfactory completion of any of the degree programs in the Woods College of Advancing Studies.

Professors: Kristin Bullwinkel, A.B. Smith, J.D. Suffolk; Martin Kane II, A.B., J.D. Boston College; Judge James Menno, Probate and Family Court, A.B., Ph.L., J.D. Boston College.

PS 39002  Law and Psychology
A look at the legal and psychological approaches to human behavior and how they interact. Considers the relevance of psychological findings, methods and theories for such topics as jury behavior, behavior of lawyers, eyewitness testimony, insanity plea, obscenity, discrimination, marriage, divorce, custody, criminal profiles and negotiation.
Fall, Mon 6:30–9, Sept 9–Dec 16, Professor Bullwinkel

LA 10101  Law for the Layperson
It is often said we are a society of law and not people. This course examines how the law affects individual lives. After an introduction to the legal system, the class deals with citizen’s rights and responsibilities under the U.S. Constitution. Topics include constitutional law, basic contract problems, criminal law, issues of fraud and privacy in an electronic age, developments in simplifying legal concepts, property, tort as well as family, juvenile and business law.
Fall, Thurs 6:30–9, Sept 5–Dec 12, Professor Kane

PL 45401  Law and Morality
What is the relationship between man-made law created by the courts and the legislature and religious values? Is there a religious and moral foundation to our civil law? What do we do when confronted by a “wrong” law such as segregation? This course, taught by a sitting family court judge, compares the classic moral thinking of such authors as Plato, Aquinas, Mill and Locke to actual Constitutional decisions on such issues as the war on terror, capital punishment, gay marriage, sexual privacy, immigration, freedom of religion, abortion and the right to refuse medical treatment.
Fall, Wed 6:30–9, Sept 4–Dec 11, Professor Menno