Interviewing and Investigating Syllabus for 2014-2015
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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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The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

LGLA-2305-001 Interviewing and Investigating

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 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 Legal Professional, Stephen P. Parsons (5th ed., Aspen Publishers, 2013) ISBN 13# 978-1-4548-1813-7.

Supplies

None.

Student Performance

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

1. To understand the ethical considerations and responsibilities of the lawyer and the paralegal in interviewing and investigating.
    
2. To identify the objectives of investigation, and concentrate on the evidence reflecting those objectives, including affirmative and rebuttal evidence.
    
3. 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.
    
4. 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.
    
5. 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.
    
6. To succinctly summarize the information discovered during the interviewing and investigating process.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. 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.
    
2. 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.
    
3. To demonstrate effective organizational skills.  Each student will create a method of discovery support and organization for a checklist for a complex litigation matter.

PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES:

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 duties, responsibilities, and ethical requirements of the paralegal.

            (SCANS* Information, Systems)

2.         Understand, discuss, and identify the basic composition of the court/judicial systems.  (SCANS* Information, Basic Skills)

3.         Demonstrate knowledge and elementary procedures for scheduling, conducting and use of interviewing and investigation in the work place.  (SCANS* Resources, Information)

4.         Discuss the professional ethics and regulations for paralegals.  (SCANS* Systems)

5.         Demonstrate basic analytical skills in interviewing and investigation. 

            (SCANS* Basic Skills, Systems, Interpersonal)

6.         Complete projects requiring basic knowledge in legal research, legal writing, and computer literacy. (SCANS* Information, Technology)

7.         Gain experience in and an understanding of litigation support and administrative advocacy.  (SCANS* Technology)

*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)

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

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    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.

GROUND RULES:

1. Everyone is expected to be prepared for class and participate in class discussions.

                        2. Although students should arrive on time and stay for the entire class period, special circumstances arise. 

                            If you arrive late or leave early, please do so as quietly as possible.            

3. Disruptive behavior in the classroom will not be permitted. 

                        4. 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.        

                        5.   Students are responsible for material in your reading assignments for tests regardless of whether or not it is specifically

                              discussed in lecture.

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:  Tests will be given on-line.  Each will be available at our class’s page at AC Online on the date indicated, and you will have 7 days to take the test.  The tests are generally 50 questions, objective type (True/False, Multiple Choice, etc.).  There is no Final Exam.  Instead we will devote the last portion of the semester to mock interviews.      

Course Grade:           90-100 = A

                                    80-  89 = B

                                    70-  79 = C (Minimum grade required for all Paralegal Studies majors.)

                                    60-  69 = D

                                         <60 = F

Reading Assignments:  In addition to the text assigned, I may assign supplement readings in the form of articles or other short material 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:  Practical Exercises from the textbook will be assigned and turned in as a group in a single folder at the end of the course on May 13, 2015.  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 photographs must be clearly labeled where they were taken and who is appearing in the photograph.  This project will be due on April 1, 2015.

Grading:

            Case Study Binder      =   20%

            Interview Role Play    =   30%           

            Scavenger Hunt          =   20%

            Tests                            =   30%

            TOTAL                      = 100%

Attendance

Department Attendance Policy:       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.    

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.  

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

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.

Calendar

Additional Information

Important Dates: Dates for lessons and examinations are on the Lesson Schedule.  Other important dates for you are:

                        January 21, 2015                     Classes begin  

                        February 4, 2015                     Census Date

                        March 16 – 20, 2015               SPRING BREAK

                        April 23, 2015                         Last Day to Withdraw

                        May 15, 2015                          Final Grades Due

Last Regular Class Meeting this Semester: Wednesday, May 7, 2015