Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. <strong>The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor. </strong>
If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.
Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.
If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.
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
Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.
NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.
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 .
LGLA-1301-001 Legal Research and Writing
Prerequisites: ENGL 1301, POFI 2301, LGLA 1307 and BCIS 1305 or department chair consent
This course provides a working knowledge of fundamentals of effective legal research and writing. Topics include law library techniques, computer assisted legal research, briefs and legal memoranda.
Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website
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.
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Hybrid
The following books do not have electronic components and should be useful in future courses, as well as in the legal profession:
The above books may be obtained from any source.
None
Legal Research Skills
1. Prepare and carry out a legal research plan; analyze and categorize key facts in a situation.
2. Use both print and electronic sources of law to locate applicable statutes, administrative regulations, constitutional provisions, court cases and other primary source materials.
3. Use both print and electronic sources of law to locate treatises, law review articles, legal encyclopedias, and other secondary sources.
4. Read, evaluate, and analyze both print and electronic sources of law and apply them to issues requiring legal analysis.
5. Properly cite both print and electronic sources of law.
6. Cite check legal sources.
7. Identify, locate, and appropriately use both print and electronic resources to update and verify the reliability of cited legal authority.
Legal Writing Skills
1. Understand and apply principles of writing and rules of English grammar to all writing tasks.
2. Write in a style that conveys legal theory in a clear and concise manner.
3. Read and apply a court option to a fact situation.
4. Report legal research findings in a standard interoffice memorandum or other appropriate format.
5. Cite print and electronic primary and secondary sources in proper form.
6. Draft client correspondence and legal documents using proper format and appropriate content.
7. Locate and modify standardized forms found in form books, pleadings, files, form files, or a computer databank to fit a particular situation.
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".
SCHOLASTIC DISHONESTY AND INDIVIDUAL WORK ETHIC
Scholastic Dishonesty is considered serious academic misconduct. All assignments, projects, and tests presented in this class must be the work of the student submitted the same. No form of scholastic dishonestly will be tolerated. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion. Amarillo College policies and student Code of Contact is strictly adhered to when dealing with scholastic dishonesty. Any evidence of scholastic dishonesty will result in a zero on the project, assignment, 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://catalog.actx.edu/content.php?catoid=10&navoid=407.
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 PM. If no announcement is made by that time, class will be held as normally scheduled.
USE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Turn off your cell phone or put it on silent/vibrate during class meeting times. Remove and turn off any blue tooth devices. No text messaging will be allowed during class. Put away your music devices, tablets, and any other device with recorded music, and the earphones to listen to music. You will be asked to leave class if you are in violation of this policy. You will be counted absent and you will not receive credit for that day’s projects, quizzes, or tests.
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 sometimes 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 or tolerated.
4. Students are responsible for material in your reading assignments for tests regardless of whether it is specifically discussed in lecture.
*C is the minimum grade required for all Paralegal Studies majors.
The final grade will be awarded as follows:
90% - 100% = A
80% - 89% = B
70% - 79% = C*
60% - 69% = D
Below 60% = F
The final grade will be calculated as follows:
Attendance – 5%
Student Engagement – 20%
Discussion Posts – 25%
Asignments – 25%
Tests – 25%
You are expected to be prepared for, and promptly attend, all scheduled class meetings. You are encouraged to participate in class, ask questions, and engage in discussions.
While I understand there are last minutes emergencies and/or unexpected issues with getting to class, not attending the class will hamper your participation, which is part of your grade.
It is your responsibility to obtain the proper form to withdraw or drop the class and send to me for signature. The form will be returned to you per AC's policy, and it is your responsibility to submit it the proper office.
It is your responsibility to initiate a drop or withdrawal through the Registrar’s Office. If you stop attending class, but fail to official withdraw from the course, you will receive a final grade of F.
BE SURE TO SEE YOUR INSTRUCTOR BEFORE YOU CANGE TO NON-CREDIT, DROP, OR WITHDRAW. THERE MAY BE OPTIONS OF WHICH YOU ARE NOT AWARE.
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