Course Overview
This is a dynamic and interactive two-week survey course designed to introduce school students to essential legal concepts, the judicial system, and its functions. This course blends theoretical insights with practical applications, offering students a comprehensive view of how law intersects with the real world. Students will engage in lectures, case studies, group discussions, and experiential learning. The course culminates in a case study presentation, where students will analyze a given topic, applying their understanding of legal and associated concepts.
In this course, students will:
- Examine definitions and sources of law and organization of the judicial system.
- Examine representative substantive areas of law covered to develop case analysis, legal thinking, and writing.
- Explore codes of professional ethics for lawyers and non-lawyers.
All students who successfully complete the course will receive a Certificate of Completion and have the opportunity to request a Syracuse University credit transcript.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain how law is made through statutes, case law, and administrative rulemaking.
- Define the basic areas of U.S. law, including family law, criminal law, property law, torts, contracts, estates, evidence, and constitutional law, and legal writing concepts.
- Describe the procedures for how civil and criminal cases are handled in courts.
- Identify the distinctions between law and ethics and how to apply ethical theories to issues that could arise in all facets of life.
Course Information
Course Prefix and Number: LGL 201
Format: On Campus (at Syracuse University)
Eligibility: Students must be of rising high school junior or senior status – or a 2026 high school graduate.
Credit: 3 credits
Grading: A-F
- Residential: $5,595
- Commuter: $4,624
Program rates are subject to change and will be approved by the board of trustees. Discounts and scholarships are also available.
Program Information
Summer College – On Campus: Experience what college is really like: take a college-level course, live in a residence hall, have meals with friends in a dining hall, and participate in activities and events on campus.
Course Dates and Details
| Program | Course Dates | Synchronous Class Time (Eastern Time) | Credit/Noncredit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer College – On Campus | 2-Week Session I: Sunday, July 5 – Friday, July 17, 2025 | MTWThF; 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | 3 Credits |
To see if this course is ‘open,’ refer to the full course catalog.
Required Supplies
Textbook Requirement:
- Introduction to Law, 7th edition, by Hames and Ekern
Typical Day
Tentative Schedule
- 9 – 9:15 a.m.: Welcome and overview of the day’s agenda.
- 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.: Lecture on a foundational law topic (e.g., contracts, criminal law, intellectual property).
- 10:15 – 10:30 a.m.: Break.
- 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Interactive activity, such as:
- Small group analysis of a business-related legal case study.
- Role-playing a legal scenario (e.g., negotiating a contract).
- 11:30 a.m. – Noon (12 p.m.): Guided Q&A session and reflection to connect the morning’s lecture with the activity.
- Noon – 1 p.m.: Lunch break.
- 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Afternoon TA session:
- Students work in groups or individually on their assigned activity, researching and organizing information as required.
- TA provides feedback and guidance as needed.
- 2:30 PM – 2:45 PM: Break.
- 2:45 PM – 4:00 PM: Afternoon TA session continues:
- Students work on drafting their findings and preparing brief presentations.
- Optional: Class discussion on a relevant legal question or challenge posed by the TA to reinforce learning.
When class is over, and on weekends, students can look forward to various Summer College – On Campus activities to meet and connect with other students! Check out our On Campus Experience page for more information!
Faculty Bio
Daniel Hebert
Daniel Hebert (he/him/his) joined the College of Professional Studies in Fall 2022 as an Assistant Teaching Professor. He primarily teaches and develop courses in Business Management, Creative Leadership, Enterprise Risk Management, and other areas of Professional Studies.
Hebert holds a J.D. from the University at Buffalo and an LL.M. from Washington University in St. Louis. Hebert was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2012.