Interviewing and Investigating Syllabus for 2019-2020
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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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Interviewing & Investigating Parsons ISBN 1454873469 Copyright 2017 Publisher Kluwer Law Edition 6

Supplies

Student Performance

To provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to become an effective paralegal in assisting an attorney in interviewing and investigating. These will be shown by the following 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.

 

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

I. Students and teachers have obligations to each other.

II. What I expect from students:

You will treat everyone in the class with the respect due all human beings.

You will do the work outlined in the syllabus on time.

You will not plagiarize or otherwise steal the work of others.

You will accept the consequences – good and bad – of your actions.

III. What students can expect from me:

I will treat you with the respect due all human beings.

I will treat you as an individual.

I will not discriminate against you on the basis of your identity or your viewpoints.

I will manage the class in a professional manner.

I will respond to student email within 24 hours, including weekends and holidays.

I will pursue the maximum punishment for plagiarism, cheating, and other violations of academic integrity.

I will keep careful records of your performance and progress.

I will make myself available to you for help and am willing to discuss anything even tangentially related to this class, college, law school, or the legal profession.

I will respect the fact that you have lives and commitments outside college, but I do not consider those to be excuses for not being prepared.

If I am notified in advance, I will make every reasonable effort to accommodate particular situations that may arise in your life.

I will make every reasonable effort to accommodate sudden, unexpected, extraordinary situations that are impossible for you to notify me about in advance.

I will maintain confidentiality concerning your performance.

I will provide you with professional support and write recommendations for you, if appropriate.

I will be honest with you.

Your grade will reflect the quality of your work and nothing else.

Grading Criteria

Learn by Doing project - 20%

Scavenger Hunt -            20%

Tests                  -           40%

Class Participation -        20%

Attendance

You are expected to be prepared for and promptly attend all scheduled class meetings.

Should you miss a class, it is your responsibility to determine what you have missed and to take appropriate measures. I highly recommend that you get notes from someone in class for any class you must miss.

It is your responsibility to initiate a drop or withdrawal through the Registrar's Office.  If you stop attending class, but fail to officially withdraw from the course, you will receive a final grade of F.

Calendar

Additional Information

No additional information available