Module 0: Start Here
What this course is
How the course is organized
How marking works
A note on the quizzes
How to get the most out of it
Module 1: Foundations of Law
Lesson 1.1: What Is Law?
Lesson 1.2: The Role of Law in Society
Lesson 1.3: Origins and Sources of Law
Lesson 1.4: Ethics vs. Law
Lesson 1.5: Legal Systems Around the World
Lesson 1.6: Business and Personal Law
Lesson 1.7: The Constitution and the Rule of Law
Lesson 1.8: Types of Law
Module 1: Practice Exercise (ungraded)
Exercise 1
Module 1: Quiz
Quiz 1
1 attempt allowed
Module 2: The U.S. Legal System
Lesson 2.1: Structure of the U.S. Government
Lesson 2.2: Separation of Powers
Lesson 2.3: Checks and Balances
Lesson 2.4: Federal vs. State Powers
Lesson 2.5: How Laws Are Made
Lesson 2.6: The Role of Administrative Agencies
Lesson 2.7: Constitutional Law and the Bill of Rights
Module 2: Practice Exercise (ungraded)
Exercise 2
Module 2: Quiz
Quiz 2
1 attempt allowed
Module 3: Making Laws and Resolving Disputes
Lesson 3.1: Civil vs. Criminal Law
Lesson 3.2: The Legislative Process
Lesson 3.3: Judicial Review
Lesson 3.4: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Overview
Lesson 3.5: Mediation, Arbitration & Litigation
Lesson 3.6: Legal Professionals
Module 3: Practice Exercise (ungraded)
Exercise 3
Module 3: Quiz
Quiz 3
1 attempt allowed
Module 4: The Court System
Lesson 4.1: Levels of the Courts
Lesson 4.2: State vs. Federal Courts
Lesson 4.3: Dispute Resolution Methods
Lesson 4.4: How Legal Issues Are Resolved
Module 4: Practice Exercise (ungraded)
Exercise 4
Module 4: Quiz
Quiz 4
1 attempt allowed
Mid-Course Checkpoint
Quiz 5
1 attempt allowed
Midterm Study Guide (Modules 1 to 4)
Module 1: Foundations of Law
Module 2: The U.S. Legal System
Module 3: Making Laws and Resolving Disputes
Module 4: The Court System
How the Midterm is structured
Midterm Examination (Modules 1 to 4)
Quiz 6
1 attempt allowed
Module 5: Criminal Law
Lesson 5.1: Criminal vs. Civil Law
Lesson 5.2: Elements of a Crime
Lesson 5.3: Classifications of Crimes
Lesson 5.4: Business-Related Crimes
Lesson 5.5: Rights of the Accused
Lesson 5.6: Legal Defenses
Lesson 5.7: Courtroom Procedures
Lesson 5.8: Jury Duty & Civic Responsibility
Module 5: Practice Exercise (ungraded)
Exercise 5
Module 5: Quiz
Quiz 7
1 attempt allowed
Module 6: Civil Law and Torts
Lesson 6.1: Civil vs. Criminal (Review)
Lesson 6.2: Elements of a Tort
Lesson 6.3: Types of Torts
Lesson 6.4: Intentional Torts
Lesson 6.5: Civil Court Procedures
Lesson 6.6: Damages
Module 6: Practice Exercise (ungraded)
Exercise 6
Module 6: Quiz
Quiz 8
1 attempt allowed
Module 7: Contract Law
Lesson 7.1: What Is a Contract?
Lesson 7.2: Elements of an Enforceable Contract
Lesson 7.3: Offers & Acceptances
Lesson 7.4: Termination of Offers
Lesson 7.5: Capacity
Lesson 7.6: Contracts That Must Be Written
Lesson 7.7: Minors’ Rights
Lesson 7.8: Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
Module 7: Practice Exercise (ungraded)
Exercise 7
Module 7: Quiz
Quiz 9
1 attempt allowed
Module 8: Consumer Protection
Lesson 8.1: Consumers in the Marketplace
Lesson 8.2: Types of Warranties
Lesson 8.3: Guaranteed Warranties
Lesson 8.4: The UCC & Consumer Rights
Lesson 8.5: Agencies That Protect Consumers
Lesson 8.6: Legal Recourse
Module 8: Practice Exercise (ungraded)
Exercise 8
Module 8: Quiz
Quiz 10
1 attempt allowed
Module 9: Legal Forms, Filings and Documentation
Lesson 9.1: Filing a Complaint
Lesson 9.2: Reading and Writing Contracts
Lesson 9.3: Subpoenas
Lesson 9.4: Cease-and-Desist Letters
Lesson 9.5: Worked Examples
Lesson 9.6: Getting Legal Help Without a Lawyer
Module 9: Practice Exercise (ungraded)
Exercise 9
Module 9: Quiz
Quiz 11
1 attempt allowed
Module 10: Wrap-Up: Law, Justice, and the Lifelong Citizen
Lesson 10.1: Law as a Living Force
Lesson 10.2: Personal Power Through Legal Literacy
Lesson 10.3: Legal Systems Are Human Systems
Lesson 10.4: Your Role as a Legal Participant
Module 10: Practice Exercise (ungraded)
Exercise 10
Module 10: Course Wrap-Up Quiz
Quiz 12
1 attempt allowed
Final Exam Study Guide (Modules 1 to 9)
Modules 1 to 2: Foundations and the U.S. System
Module 3: Making Laws and Resolving Disputes
Module 4: The Court System
Module 5: Criminal Law
Module 6: Civil Law and Torts
Module 7: Contract Law
Module 8: Consumer Protection
Module 9: Legal Forms, Filings, and Documentation
How the Final Assessment is structured
Final Assessment (Cumulative)
Quiz 13
1 attempt allowed
Principles of Law - Online Course
The Legal Foundations
Explore the foundations of American law through a structured introduction to legal systems, constitutional principles, and legal reasoning. Learn how courts interpret laws, how legal arguments are constructed, and how the law influences everyday life.
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$19.99
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About the Course
Principles of Law - Online Course is a comprehensive introduction to the foundations of the American legal system. Designed as a companion to the bestselling textbook Principles of Law: The Legal Foundations, this course guides students through constitutional law, criminal law, civil law, contracts, legal reasoning, and the structure of the courts.
Through engaging lessons, case studies, and practical exercises, students will develop an understanding of how laws are created, interpreted, and applied in real-world situations. Whether you are a high school student exploring law for the first time, a future legal professional, or simply interested in understanding the systems that shape society, this course provides a structured pathway into the study of law.
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Instructor
About the Instructor
I’m a student and independent researcher with an interest in law, public policy, and education. I created this textbook to make legal concepts easier to understand for students and self-learners who want a clear starting point in law without unnecessary complexity.
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Course Material
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