Foundations of Law: Cases, Commentary and Ethics, 6th Edition
Ransford C. Pyle, Carol M. Bast
Clear, concise, and easy to understand, this updated Sixth Edition of FOUNDATIONS OF LAW: CASES, COMMENTARY, AND ETHICS provides a comprehensive overview of American law and its legal system to help students build the foundation necessary for success in advanced courses of study. Over 70 excerpted judicial opinions illustrate basic themes, while instructive case studies challenge students to apply concepts to difficult scenarios. To help students master key concepts, the Sixth Edition includes new chapter-opening learning objectives, as well as chapter review questions, critical thinking questions, and cyber exercises.
1. Law and the Profession of Law.
2. Ethics.
3. Sources of the Law: Cases.
4. Sources of the Law: Legislation.
5. Trial and Appellate Courts.
6. State and Federal Courts.
7. Procedure in Civil Cases.
8. The Law of Criminal Procedure.
9. Criminal Law.
10. Torts, Personal Injury, and Compensation.
11. Contracts and Commercial Law.
12. The Law of Property.
13. Family Law.
14. Administrative Law and Procedure.
Appendix A: How to Read and Brief a Case.
Appendix B: The Constitution of the United States of America.
Glossary.
New chapter-opening learning objectives provide an overview of the information students must master in the chapter.
Key information, including licensing of paralegals, has been updated to reflect the latest developments in the field.
An updated chapter on Family Law provides current information on this fast-moving area of law.
All important areas of American law and its legal system, including ethics, are covered in a manner that doesn't overwhelm students.
"You Be the Judge" features engage students and ask them to apply the concepts they are learning to a realistic case. These features can assigned or used to generate class discussion.
Chapter-ending review questions assess student understanding of key terms and concepts.
Critical thinking questions in every chapter are ideal for stimulating open-ended class discussions.
Excerpted cases that contain concurring and dissenting opinions are followed by questions that require students to think critically about the reasoning behind the opinions.
Cyber exercises give students an opportunity to research law and law-related resources.
Ransford C. Pyle
Ransford C. Pyle, J.D., Ph.D. retired as Associate Professor Emeritus from the University of Central Florida and resides in Gainesville, Florida. In addition to FOUNDATIONS OF LAW: CASES, COMMENTARY, AND ETHICS, he has authored several publications, including FAMILY LAW and BUSH V. GORE: UNDERSTANDING THE AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM. Dr. Pyle is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Law and received a Doctoral Degree in Anthropology from the University of Florida.
Carol M. Bast
Carol M. Bast, J.D., is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Central Florida, where she has taught for the past 24 years. She teaches Legal Research and Legal Writing and is the author an undergraduate textbook on those topics, FOUNDATIONS OF LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING. Her areas of research and writing include eavesdropping and wiretapping, plagiarism, legal ethics, legal research, legal writing, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Prior to becoming a professor, Bast clerked for a federal district judge and practiced corporate securities and real estate law. She received her J.D. magna cum laude from New York Law School in 1982 and her B.A. from Kalamazoo College in 1974.
"I really like the Exhibits provided throughout the text. I think they tie in well with the subject being discussed, and they also highlight practical issues; this helps provide students with opportunities for critical thinking, and for practical application of what they are studying. I love the Critical Thinking Questions and would use those in my class as written assignments. I like that questions about the cases are provided, at least as starting points for discussion. I thought the Scenarios were a great feature, and I have not seen anything similar in any texts I've used. I often create similar practical examples for my students; having the examples already provided would cut down significantly on my preparation time. I think these Scenarios would also be really good for in-class group projects/discussions."
Foundations of Legal Research and Writing, 5th Edition