Civil Litigation Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

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-1345-001 Civil Litigation

Prerequisites

LGLA 1307 and BCIS 1305 or Department Chair consent Corequisite: LGLA 2303

Course Description

This course presents fundamental concepts and procedures of civil litigation with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Topics include pretrial, trial and post trial phases of litigation.

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

\ O’Connor’s Texas Rules – Civil Trials 2012 (Student Edition),
\ Authors:  Michol O’Connor and Bryon P. Davis
\ ISBN #978-1598391343

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Supplies

\ A 50-pack of spiral bound 3x5 index cards, 3-Ring Notebook, 2 testing forms to be announced.
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Student Performance

\ LEARNING OUTCOMES    
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\ 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 in the process of civil litigation.

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\ PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES
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\ 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.
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2. \ Understand, discuss, and identify the basic composition of court/ judicial systems.
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3. \ Demonstrate knowledge and of the procedural concepts involved in civil litigation. 
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4. \ Discuss the professional ethics and regulations for paralegals. 
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5. \ Demonstrate basic analytical skills in interviewing, investigation, and trial preparation. 
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6. \ Complete projects requiring basic knowledge in instigating and responding to a civil lawsuit, the discovery process, the procedural process, and computer literacy.
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7. \ Identify and complete elementary tasks to demonstrate knowledge of proper procedures in various legal office environments.
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8. \ Gain experience in and understanding of litigation support and administrative advocacy. 
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\ AAfPE Core Competencies for Paralegal Programs:  IA1-9, IB1-4, IC1-6, ID1-6, IE2, IF1-4, IG1-2, IH1-4, IIA1-5, IIB2, IIC2, IIC4
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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

\ 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 (whether from this semester’s students or a prior semester’s students) will result in a zero on the entire project or test in question.
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\ Plagiarism is considered serious academic misconduct.  “Plagiarism” shall be defined as the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work.  All assignments presented in this class must be the work of the student submitting the assignment.  No form of scholastic dishonesty will be tolerated.  Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. 
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\ “Cheating on a test” shall include:

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• \ Copying from another student’s test paper.
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• \ Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test.
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• \ Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an unadministered test.
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• \ The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the unadministered test.
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• \ Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test.
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• \ Bribing another person to obtain an unadministered test or information about an unadministered test.
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\ “Collusion” shall be defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.

\ A complete statement regarding scholastic dishonesty can be found in the Student Code of Conduct in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook at  http://catalog.actx.edu/content.php?catoid=10&navoid=407.
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\ USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES
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\ 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 projects, quizzes, or tests.
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Grading Criteria

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 through the class email prior to the test or you will not be allowed to make up the test.  If the time and date on the e-mail is after the start of class, this is not considered prior notice! If you contact me, you will be allowed to make up the test but it must be taken before the next class meeting.  Make-up tests are taken at the AC Testing Center (371-5445).  A picture ID, a Scantron form, and #2 pencils are required.  No test will be issued one hour before the Testing Center closes.

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. 
 

PROJECT NOTEBOOK

You will have multiple (see class schedule) assignments in your project notebook.  The assignments will be handed out on the night indicated in the class schedule.  You can turn in the completed project assignment the next class meeting for brief comments to be handed back within two class meetings.  No grade will be assigned at that time.  I will not accept late papers for comments – no exceptions.  The project completed notebook will be due on April 24, 2014, again no exceptions.  If you will not be in class, bring it to Mr. Moseley’s office (Byrd 323D) and leave it for my attention.  The notebook will be worth 20% of your grade.  I do not accept any assignments by email.

GRADING CRITERIA:

Test 1 and 2                 40 %
Project Notebook          20 %
Mock Trial                    30 %
Class Attendance         10 %

 

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.  220 points will be given for attendance.  Each regular class is worth 10 points (12), mock trial work nights are worth 20 points (2), and mock trial nights are worth 30 points (2), no excuses, no exceptions for missed classes.  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 at the end of class.  I will check roll from the sign in sheet.
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Calendar

Additional Information

WEATHER CLOSINGS

If Amarillo College classes are called because of inclement weather, an official announcement will be made through all local television stations and KGNC radio.  The message will also be posted on the college website (www.actx.edu) and the college’s main telephone number.  The decision to close evening classes will be made by 3:00 p.m.  If no announcement is made by that time, class will be held as normally scheduled.    

IMPORTANT DATES*

*Dates for lessons and examinations are on the Lesson Schedule.  The last date to drop or withdraw is April 18, 2013.

BE SURE TO SEE YOUR INSTRUCTOR BEFORE YOU CHANGE TO NON-CREDIT, DROP, OR WITHDRAW.  THERE MAY BE OPTIONS OF WHICH YOU ARE NOT AWARE.