Cognitive Skills for the Legal Profession Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

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Course Information

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Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

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Course

LGLA-1309-002 Cognitive Skills for the Legal Profession

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: LGLA 1345 and LGLA 2303
\ Corequisite: LGLA 1351 or RELE 1311

Course Description

Training in creative, critical and intuitive thinking in the legal environment; group dynamics and effective participation in work groups and teams; listen effectively and critically; formulate solutions to assigned problems; and read critically.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Practical Case Analysis, West Thompson Learning, Authors: Linda L. Edwards

ISBN# 0-314-06434-6

Supplies

\ 3 Ring Notebook, jump stick (to save class projects on)

Student Performance

\ The student will discuss process of thinking, logic, and planning for decision making/problem solving; work effectively in work groups and teams; listen effectively and critically; formulate solutions to assigned problems; and read critically.

\ After studying the material presented in this course of study, the student will be able to do the following as evaluated by the faculty in the Paralegal Studies program:

\
    \
  1. \ Describe and explain the use of case law in the legal profession.
    \ (SCANS* Information, Systems)
  2. \
  3. \ Understand, discuss, and identify the basic composition of case law.
    \ (SCANS* Information, Basic Skills)
  4. \
  5. \ Demonstrate advanced knowledge for producing professional case briefs and legal memoranda. (SCANS* Resources, Information)
  6. \
  7. \ Complete projects requiring basic knowledge in legal research, legal writing, and computer literacy. (SCANS* Information, Technology)
  8. \
\

\ *Meets Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS)
\
\ Technology:  Works with a variety of technologies. (Selects technology, maintains, and troubleshoots equipment)
\
\ Systems:  Understands complex interrelationships. (Evaluates, monitors, improves social, organizations, and technological systems)
\
\ Information:  Acquires and uses information.
\
\ Interpersonal:  Works with others, serves clients, exercises leadership.
\
\ Resources:  Identifies, organizes, plans, and allocates resources (time, money, material and facilities, human resources)

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

\ Plagiarism, Cheating and Individual Work Ethic: I will strictly adhere to the Amarillo College policies and code of student conduct in dealing with plagiarism, cheating and duplication of work product. Further any suspicion of plagiarism, cheating or duplication of work product will result in a zero on the project or test in question.

Grading Criteria

\ Semester Average
\ Class Participation (Putting into Practice and Group Calisthenics)       10 percent
\ Individual Calisthenics                                                                      25 percent
\ Case Brief (Chapter 6)                                                                      25 percent
\ Research Memo (Chapter 10)                                                           40 percent

\ Project and Testing Policy: I have given specific dates for project due dates and tests. These are to be adhered to unless changes are announced in class. If a project is turned in after the due date, but within one week, you will be eligible for maximum grade of 50. If it is turned in after one week you will not receive credit for the project. Again, project due dates have been specifically designated. If any changes are made they will be announced in class.

Attendance

\ Employees in the business world are expected to be at work each day; therefore, students in paralegal studies classes are expected to be in class promptly and routinely.

Calendar

Cognitive Skills for the Legal Professional
Class Schedule

FYI:  Cognitive Calisthenics Assignments will ALWAYS be performed on the same case for the entire class.

Group 1:         Linthicum (group) and Dickerson (individual)
Group 2:         White (group) and Cundick (individual)
Group 3:         Nienstedt (group) and BenShalom (individual)

Date

Class Discussion

October 20
(Thursday)
 

Introduction/Syllabus
Discuss Class and Lab Structure
Groups 1, 2, and 3

October 21
(Friday)

Discuss Chapter 1
 

October 22
(Saturday)










 

Discuss Chapter 2
Group 1
Putting into Practice  - Pg 37
Chp. 2 CC 2a (Group)
Chp. 2 CC 3d (Individual)
Group 2
Putting into Practice – Pg 37
Chp. 2 CC 2b (Group)
Chp. 2 CC 3a (Individual)
Group 3
Putting into Practice – Pg 37
Chp. 2 CC 2 for the Nienstedt Case (Group)
Chp. 2 CC 2c (Individual)

October 27
(Thursday)

Discuss Chapter 3
 

October 28
(Friday)










 

Continued Discussion Chapter 3
Group 1        
Putting into Practice – Pg. 44
Chp. 3 CC 2a (Group)
Chp. 3 CC 3d (Individual)
Group 2
Putting into Practice – Pg. 44
Chp. 3 CC 2b (Group)
Chp. 3 CC 3a (Individual)
Group 3
Putting into Practice – Pg. 44
Chp. 3 CC 2c (Group)
Chp. 3 CC 3c (Individual)

October 29
(Saturday)










 

Discuss Chapter 4
Group 1
Putting into Practice - Pg. 71
Chp. 4 CC 1b (Group)
Chp. 4 CC 2d (Individual)
Group 2
Putting into Practice – Pg. 72
Chp. 4 CC 1 on White case (Group)
Chp. 4 CC 2a (Individual)
Group 3
Putting into Practice – Pg. 73
Chp. 4 CC 1a (Group)
Chp. 4 CC 2c (Individual)

November 3
(Thursday)







 

Discuss Chapter 5
Group 1
Putting into Practice – Pg. 104
Chp. 5 CC 1 on Linthicum case (Group)
Group 2
Putting into Practice – Pg. 86
Chp. 5CC 1b (Group)
Group 3
Putting into Practice – Pg. 104                                   
Chp. 5CC 1a (Group)

November 4
(Friday)







 

Discuss Chapter 6
Group 1
Putting into Practice – Pg. 121
Chp. 6 CC 3d (Individual Case Brief - Dickerson)
Group 2
Putting into Practice – Pg. 122
Chp. 6CC 3a (Individual Case Brief – Cunkick)
Group 3
Putting into Practice – Pg. 123                                   
Chp. 6CC 3c (Individual Case Brief – Ben Shalom)

November 6
(Saturday)






 

Discuss Chapter 7
Group 1
Putting into Practice – Pg. 143
Chp. 7 CC 1b (Group)
Chp. 7 CC 2d (Individual)
Group 2
Putting into Practice – Pg. 143
Chp. 7 CC 1c (Group)
Chp. 7CC 2a (Individual)

November 10
(Thursday)







 

Discuss Chapters 8, 9 and 10
Group 1
Putting into Practice – Pg. 153
Chp. 8 CC 1 (Group)
Group 2
Putting into Practice – Pg. 153
Chp. 8 CC 1 (Group)
Group 3
Putting into Practice – Pg. 153                                   
Chp. 8CC 1 (Group)

November 11
(Friday)

Discuss Chapter 9 & 10
 

November 12
(Saturday)



 

Group 1
Chp. 10 CC 4 and part a (Individual Research Memo - Dickerson)
Group 2
Chp. 10 CC 2 and part a (Individual Research Memo - Cundick)
Group 3
Chp. 10CC 3 and part a (Individual Research Memo – Ben Shalom)


* A total of 15 extra points will be given for any individual who cares to incorporate two additional substantive sources to their research memo.

Additional Information

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Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM