Study Aids : College Guides

Class actions, which are civil cases in which parties initiate a lawsuit on behalf of other plaintiffs not specifically named in the complaint, often make the headlines, especially when they result in settlements affecting millions of class members and requiring millions of dollars in restitution. They have also aroused vocal policy debates, as exemplified during the deliberations of the U.S. Congress prior to the enactment of the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005. But despite this long-standing interest, policymakers and the public know very little about the majority of class actions filed in this country-their numbers, their dynamics, or their outcomes. RAND used a defendant-based survey to collect original data on both state and federal insurance class actions, and also surveyed state departments of insurance to learn more about the interests of regulators in the issues litigated by the parties in these cases. This book presents the results. With these data, we are able to describe important characteristics of the litigation, including what types of classes are sought, where these cases are being filed, what allegations are made, how these cases are resolved, how much time it takes to bring them to resolution, and the possible impact of the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005. more...

Price: $9.95

Law school has the reputation of being one of the hardest academic programs. It is a reputation well earned. However, Law School Basics is chock-full of insights and strategies that will prepare you well and give you a head start on the competition. Law School Basics presents a thorough overview of law school, legal reasoning, and legal writing. It was written for those who are considering law school; for those who are about to start law school; and for those who are interested in knowing more about lawyering and the legal process. Law School Basics was written with one overriding goal: to enlighten you about everything the author wishes he had known before starting law school. more...

Price: $12.95

Liberia’s new government, under President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has made security sector transformation a high priority. The authors analyze Liberia’s complex security environment, set forth an integrated security concept to guide the formation and use of those forces and new institutions to manage them, and assemble a complete security structure. They then develop specific force-structure options and discuss the cost-effectiveness of each. Finally, they suggest immediate steps toward implementation of the new security structure. These include development and coordination of detailed integrated force plans with the United States and the UN; a design and plans for a small police quick-reaction unit and small Coast Guard; attention to building court and corrections-system capacity; and consolidation, reduction, and appropriate recruiting, vetting, and training of the currently independent multiple police forces, customs, and intelligence personnel. more...

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Tells about what is required if you are returning to education as a mature student. This guide discusses various issues including what higher education involves, how to prepare for it and how to balance time and cheque book once you get there. It explains practical issues, and addresses your doubts and fears about higher education. more...

Price: $29.23

As insurgent threats evolve and assume new forms, the United States must also evolve in its ability to counter potentially prolonged threats in several parts of the world. Because of the potential for global reach in contemporary insurgencies, the ability to draw on lessons learned from past counterinsurgency (COIN) campaigns using different historical cases can be valuable, helping current and future leaders prevent a repetition of mistakes and building a foundation on which to build contemporary responses. To this end, six historic COIN operations from the 19th and 20th centuries are examined to determine which tactics, techniques, and procedures led to success and which to failure. The Philippines, Algeria, Vietnam, El Salvador, Jammu and Kashmir, and Colombia were chosen for their varied characteristics relating to geography, historical era, outcome, type of insurgency faced, and level of U.S. involvement. Specific issues examined include the counterinsurgents’ ability to innovate and adapt, the need to find a way to recognize the threat, and tactics for confronting it. more...

Price: $9.95