Office:  ELA 266
Email:  vb01@txstate.edu
Phone:  512.245.8053

Curriculum Vitae

B.A., Southwestern College
J.D., Washburn University of Topeka

Professor of Political Science
Chair of the Department of Political Science

Vicki Brittain is a full professor in the Department of Political Science at Texas State University in San Marcos and she serves as chair of the Department. She teaches primarily in the M.A. in Legal Studies graduate program and also teaches various undergraduate law-related courses in the department. Her primary research and teaching interests are in the areas of civil litigation and in the use of paralegals in the legal service delivery system.She is co-author of a book published as a part of the West Legal Studies publications, Paralegal Handbook and of author of several other publications. She is an active member of the State Bar of Texas and serves as an attorney member of the Paralegal standing committee. She received her B.A. degree from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kansas and her J.D. degree from Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas. Before coming to Texas State University, she was an associate in a law firm in Wichita, Kansas practicing primarily civil litigation.

Courses Taught

POSI 4302 Legal Theories and Research
This course examines the American Legal System at both the state and federal levels involving civil and criminal procedure. Emphasis is on the process of these systems and the framework within which disputes are resolved. Students will become familiar with legal research methods to better understand the composition of legal options.

POSI 4361 Administrative Law
Course stresses the legal principles and practical doctrines involved in the work of administrative tribunals vested with quasi-legislative or quasi-judicial powers or both. Primary focus on development, practice, and procedures of federal administrative agencies.

POSI 5383 Advanced Litigation
Study of the use of the American legal system to resolve disputes between individuals and entities. Emphasis will be on trial advocacy planning, analysis, preparation, and strategy. Students will develop skills necessary to understand and to participate as an advocate in the trial process. Prerequisites: POSI 5387 Legal Research and POSI 5394 Litigation.

POSI 5386 Legal Theories And Analysis
Study of statutory and case law development of basic legal theory including tort theory, contract theory, and evidence theory. Course is intended to assist the student in gaining knowledge of fundamental legal theory, reasoning, and analysis.

POSI 5390 Administrative Law
Course deals with the origin, development, and theory of Administrative Law and the agencies and tribunals established to administer the law. Emphasis is on enforcement, quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial powers of federal administrative agencies and state tribunals.

POSI 5391 Family Law
Emphasis is on Texas law, dealing with pre-marital contracts, marriage relationships, annulment, abortion, adoption, juveniles, Family Code, divorce, support for children, custody, separation agreements, etc.

POSI 5392 Business Organizations
A study of the federal and Texas law relative to corporations with particular emphasis on the preparation of initial and amended articles of incorporation, satisfaction of state filing requirements, preparations of drafts of stock certificates and securities, the maintaining of stock ledgers and books, the preparation of draft resolutions authorizing cash and stock dividends and stock splits, the drafting of employment agreements, and other activities necessary to the maintenance, merger, and closing corporations.
  
POSI 5394 Litigation
Study of statutory and case law relative to civil and criminal procedure in order to develop an understanding of litigation.