Interviewing and Investigating Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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Course

LGLA-2305-001 Interviewing and Investigating

Prerequisites

LGLA 1307 or Department Chair consent

Course Description

This course is a study of principles, methods and investigative techniques utilized to locate, gather, document and manage information. Emphasis on developing interviewing and investigative skills to prepare the paralegal to communicate effectively while recognizing ethical problems.

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

Interviewing and Investigating: Essential Skills for the Paralegal, 5th edition
Stephen P. Parsons (Aspen/Wolters Kluwer)
ISBN-13: 978-1-4548-1813-7

 

Supplies

None.

Student Performance

General Objectives

• To provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to become an effective paralegal in assisting an attorney in interviewing and investigating.
   

Specific Objectives

• To understand the ethical considerations and responsibilities of the lawyer and the paralegal in interviewing and investigating.
   
• To identify the objectives of investigation and concentrate on the evidence reflecting those objectives, including affirmative and rebuttal evidence.
   
• To demonstrate the ability to analyze a set of facts relating to a legal dispute to determine what further information is required to prepare for resolution of the dispute and where this information can be obtained.
   
• To demonstrate an understanding of how to prepare for and conduct an interview with a client and/or witness in preparation for the dispute resolution process.
   
• To learn how to become an efficient paralegal through the drafting of interview checklists, forms, and other materials relevant to the interview and investigating process.
   
• To succinctly summarize the information discovered during the interviewing and investigating process.
   

Student Learning Outcomes

• To demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing. Each student will participate in an in-class practicum requiring the interview of a hypothetical client.
   
• To demonstrate critical thinking skills. Each student will perform and print electronic non-legal research needed to obtain pertinent factual information relevant to a hypothetical legal problem.
   
• To demonstrate effective organizational skills. Each student will create a method of discovery support and organization for a checklist for a complex litigation matter.

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

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• \ Amarillo College policies and Student Code of 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.
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\ Ground Rules

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• \ Although students should arrive on time and stay for the entire class period, special circumstances may arise. If you arrive late or leave early, please do so as quietly as possible.
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• \ Everyone is expected to be prepared for class and participate in class discussions.
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• \ Disruptive behavior in the classroom will not be permitted
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• \ Please keep cell phones and pagers turned off during class.  If an exception to this policy is necessary, please talk to the instructor before class.
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• \ Students are responsible for material in the reading assignments for all quizzes or exams, regardless of whether or not it is specifically discussed in lecture.
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Grading Criteria

Assignment and Testing Policy

• Specific due dates for assignments, quizzes, and tests are shown on the Course Schedule. An extension of time to complete an assignment may be granted in special circumstances, but such extensions must be obtained from the instructor on or before the due date in order to receive full credit.  Failure to obtain an extension will result in a 10-point deduction from the grade for that assignment. If any changes are made in the due date of an assignment or a test date, they will be announced in class.

Testing

• Quizzes and tests will be given online.  Each will be available at our class's page in Blackboard (through AC Connect) on the date indicated, and you will have 7 days to take the test.  The tests are 50 questions, objective type (True/False, Multiple Choice, etc.).  There is no Final Exam.  Instead we will devote the last portion of the semeste to mock interviews.

Reading Assignments

• In addition to the text assigned, I may assign supplemental readings in the form of articles or other short materials when appropriate.  You are responsible for material in your reading assignments for tests, regardless of whether or not it is specifically discussed in lecture.

Practical Exercises/Case Study Binder

• Practical Exercises from the textbook will be assigned and turned in as a group in a single folder at the of the course on  May 7, 2014. The textbook refers to these exercises as "LBD" or "Learning by Doing."  Each student will do these exercises based on a case study to be assigned at the beginning of the course.  The case studies are found in Appendix A in the text.

Mock Interview

• As part of the Practical Exercises, each student will conduct a mock interview of a witness in the assigned case study.  These interviews will be done in class. In addition to interviewing a witness, each student will act as a witness in an interview conducted by a classmate.

Scavenger Hunt

• A Scavenger Hunt will be assigned during the semester.  You will be assigned to work in groups of three to accomplish this project. Each group will be given a list of places to go where evidentiary information and/or case information may be obtained.  A digital photograph will be made of at least one member of the group at each location.  The photograph must be clearly labeled where they were taken and who is appearing in the photograph.  This project will be due on April 2, 2014.

 

Grading Criteria

Case Study Binder	20%
Mock Interviews	30%
Scavenger Hunt	20%
Tests	30%

 

Course Grade

90-100	A
80 - 89	B
70 - 79	C*
60 - 69	D
< 60	F

*C is the minimum grade required for all Paralegal Studies majors

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.  A sign-in sheet will be available at the beginning of each class. If you are late, it is your responsibility to sign in at break or before the end of class.  I will check roll from the sign-in sheet. I will check roll from the sign-in sheet.

Calendar

Additional Information

Spring 2014 - Important Dates

January 21	First Day of Classes
March 10 – March 16	Spring Break (faculty and students)
March 13 – March 16	AC Closed – Spring Break
April 14	Summer & Fall Registration Begins
April 18 – 20	AC Closed – Easter Holiday
April 24	Last Day to Withdraw – SPRING 2014
May 7	Last Regular Class Meeting
May 12 – May 16	Finals Week
May 16	Commencement Ceremony (7 pm)