Introduction to Law and the Legal Professions Syllabus for 2025-2026
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

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. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

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 Web Accessibility Policy Statement

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.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

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

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

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.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

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.

Privacy Statement

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-1307-001 Introduction to Law and the Legal Professions

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: RDNG 0331-minimum grade C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills

Course Description

This course provides an overview of the law and the legal professions. Topics include legal concepts, systems and terminology; ethical obligations and regulations; professional trends and issues with particular emphasis on the paralegal.

Student Resources Student 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

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Paralegal Today: The Legal Team at Work; 9th Edition | Copyright 2027; ISBN-13: 9780357454220

Supplies

Textbook or online access

Student Performance

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 relationships of the paralegal.
2. Understand, discuss, and identify the basic composition of court/judicial systems.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and elementary procedures for producing professional correspondence and resumes required for employment.
4. Discuss the professional ethics and regulations for paralegals.
5. Demonstrate basic analytical skills in interviewing and investigation.
6. Complete projects requiring basic knowledge in legal research, legal writing, and computer literacy.
7. Identify and complete elementary tasks to demonstrate knowledge of proper procedures in various legal office environments.
8. Gain experience in and understanding of litigation support and administrative advocacy.
9. Understand how to draft a case brief.

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

E-Mailing Your Instructor

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu, and use your Google Email Account.  If you do not activate and use your AC Connect Google Email account, you will be lost in this course because you will not be able to receive email from your instructor.

Please use my school email talexander25@actx.edu You must use your AC Connect Google Email account, and construct your email from within the course you are taking.  Go to the top left hand corner of the home page of the course and click “Send Email” to construct your e-mail from within the course.   

Also, students are responsible for accessing e-mail messages sent to their AC Connect Google Email account; thus, students are responsible to check their AC Connect Google Email account on a daily basis. The instructor will only respond to e-mails sent from the student’s AC Connect Google Email account. These e-mails must identify the applicable class in the subject line; this information is automatically included in messages sent from within the course when you use your AC Connect Google Email account.

Check your Email in this class daily! I may need to communicate important information regarding this class, so please check in daily.

Students and teachers have obligations to each other.

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, use AI or otherwise steal the work of others.

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

What students can expect from me:

I will treat you with the respect due to 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 make every reasonable effort to 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

Grading Criteria:

700 - 800 points = A

600 - 699 points = B

500 - 599 points = C

400 - 499 points = D

Below 400 = F

Grading

Chapter Tests (8) Each weekly quiz will have 25 questions worth 2 points each for a total of 50 points. You have a total of 400 points to earn on your Chapter tests.

•           You only have one attempt at each Quiz. Quizzes are open book. 

•           You must complete the Quiz once you open it. You cannot start a Quiz, exit out and come back. Once you exit the Quiz, your grade will be submitted as is.

•           The quizzes are due every Sunday night by 11:59 p.m, according to the Calendar below.

•           There will be NO make-up quizzes given under any circumstances. If you do not complete the quiz by the due date, you will receive a ZERO. 

There will be (8) Assignments worth 50 points each. You have a total of 400 points to earn on your Assignments. These assignments may be writing papers/memos or discussion boards. Assignments are due each Sunday by 11:59 p.m. (see calendar below).

•           If your computer crashes or you have technical difficulties, email me immediately, and I will decide on a case-by-case basis the appropriate solution. I highly recommend using Firefox or Google Chrome as your browser. If you consistently have technical problems, I will insist you take the quizzes at one of AC’s computer labs

(EXTRA CREDIT) Final Reflection Paper - This paper is optional and will be worth 50 extra credit points. I will provide you with some topics to choose from during Week 2 and you will have the remainder of the semester to complete this paper. This paper will be due by July 29 at 11:59 p.m. (NO EXCEPTIONS). I would highly recommend working on this paper as these points can provide you will a chance to bring your grade up. If, for example, you were unable to take a quiz or complete a discussion board, this paper will provide you with the opportunity to make up those points. 

Attendance

Since this is an online class, your attendance each week will be determined by your successful completion of your tests and assignments. You have 8 assignments and 8 quizzes, so you will be busy each week to complete these tasks. Please set aside time to read the material and complete your quizzes and assignments. You are going to be busy because that is the nature of an online summer course. I will be monitoring your progress throughout and will answer any questions you have about the material. PLEASE ask me questions about the material.

Calendar

Additional Information

Halfway through this course, I will hold a optional zoom meeting for anyone that wants to attend. This meeting will provide you with an opportunity to ask questions, discuss career opportunities, etc. This is optional and I will provide the link for you to attend if you choose.