Introduction to Law and the Legal Professions Syllabus for 2011-2012
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Disability Statement

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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As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

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Course

LGLA-1307-001 Introduction to Law and the Legal Professions

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331-minimum grade C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills
\ Corequisite: POFL 1305

Course Description

This course provides an overview of the law and the legal professions. Topics include legal concepts, systems and terminology; ethical obligations and regulations; professional trends and issues with particular emphasis on the paralegal.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

\ West’s Paralegal Today: The Legal Team at Work, Fifth Edition
\ Authors: Roger LeRoy Miller and Mary Meinzinger Urisko
\ ISBN-13#:  978-1-4390-5701-8
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Supplies

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Student Performance

\ This course serves as an orientation to the legal field and the paralegal profession. Students will acquire knowledge pertaining to job demand, salaries, certifications, specializations, professional organizations, and regulation of paralegals. The student will develop a legal vocabulary; explain fundamental legal concepts and systems; explain the ethical obligations of the legal professions with particular emphasis on the paralegal’s role; and discuss topics relating to the paralegal profession.

\ 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:

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1. \ Describe and explain the duties, responsibilities, and relationships of the paralegal.
   \ (SCANS* Information, Systems)
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2. \ Understand, discuss, and identify the basic composition of court/ judicial systems. (SCANS* Information, Basic Skills)
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3. \ Demonstrate knowledge and elementary procedures for producing professional correspondence and resumes required for employment. (SCANS* Resources, Information)
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4. \ Discuss the professional ethics and regulations for paralegals. (SCANS* Systems)
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5. \ Demonstrate basic analytical skills in interviewing and investigation.
   \ (SCANS* Basic Skills, Systems, Interpersonal)
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6. \ Complete projects requiring basic knowledge in legal research, legal writing, and computer literacy. (SCANS* Information, Technology)
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7. \ Identify and complete elementary tasks to demonstrate knowledge of proper procedures in various legal office environments. (SCANS* Resources)
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8. \ Gain experience in and understanding of litigation support and administrative advocacy. (SCANS* Technology)
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\ *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)

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\ AAfPE Core Competencies for Paralegal Programs: IA6, IA7, IC1, IC2, IC3, ID1, ID2, ID3, IF3, IG1, IH2, IIA1, IIA2, IIA3, IIA4, IIB1, IIB2, IIC1, IIC2, IIC3, IIC4, IIC5, IIC6, IID1, IIE1, IIF1, IIG1, IIG3

\ Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact Accessibility Services (L101, Phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.
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Students 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

\ Use of Electronic Devices: Turn off your cell phone or put it on silent/vibrate ring during class meeting times. Remove and turn off any blue tooth device. No text messaging will be allowed during class. Put away your iPods, MP3’s, any other device with recorded music, and the earphones to listen to the music. You will be asked to leave class if you are in violation of this request. You will be counted absent and you will not receive credit for that day’s attendance.

\ Plagiarism, Cheating and Individual Work Ethic: The Amarillo College policies and Code of Student Conduct is strictly adhered to when dealing with plagiarism, cheating, and duplication of work product. Any evidence of plagiarism, cheating, or duplication of work product will result in a zero on the project or test in question.

\ A complete statement regarding scholastic dishonesty can be found in the Student Code of Conduct in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook at

\ http://www.actx.edu/student/responsibilities/
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Grading Criteria

\ 90-100 = A
\ 80- 89 = B
\ 70- 79 = C (Minimum grade required for all Paralegal Studies majors.)
\ 60- 69 = D
\ <60 = F
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\ Project and Testing Policy : Specific dates for project due dates and tests are provided. These dates are 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, test dates have been specifically designated. If any changes are made, they will be announced in class and by e-mail, so it is important you check your e-mail often for updates. If you are not going to be present on the evening of a major test, you are required to contact me by e-mail at bamoseley@actx.edu prior to the test or you will not be allowed to make up the test. If you contact me, we will make arrangements for a make-up exam.
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\ Finally, you are responsible for material in your reading assignments for tests regardless of whether or not it is specifically discussed in lecture. From time to time, supplemental readings and assignments may be made during class, and you are responsible for such readings and assignments even if you are absent.

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.  Attendance will count as 10% of your grade.  If you are in class, you will get a 100 that evening; if you are not, you will get a 0.

Calendar

Additional Information

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