Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: defend the policy rationale for various rules of evidence; identify issues of evidence that are decided by a judge and which are decided by a jury; outline the burdens of proof that apply to various issues regarding types of trials, including criminal and civil trials and evidentiary hearings; explain relevant evidence rule and the "catch all" exception under Federal Rule 403; analyze whether and to what extent character evidence and prior acts can be admissible in a courtroom to prove action in conformity with those characteristics; define the "original documents" rule and explain when and under which circumstances copies of documents can be admissible; outline the rules regarding the extent to which impeachment of witnesses is allowed on cross-examination; outline the role of an "expert" witness and additional latitude an expert witness gets in terms of relevant testimony; explain hearsay rule, how it's used and apply the numerous exceptions to the hearsay rule as related to fact patterns; and list evidentiary privileges that are allowed under federal and state law.