Taught in context, each topical section (Patent, Copyright/trademark, Social Justice, Traditional Practice) provides first year students an introduction to basic U. S. research tools and strategies including hierarchy of authority and primary and secondary sources of law. Students learn to develop coherent research strategies to locate information in line with information literacy frameworks. In additional to a graded research midterm and final, students must successfully complete 10 weekly research assignments and two research practicums. This course cannot be taken for an S/U grade.