Legal Research and Writing Syllabus for 2026-2027
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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

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Statement on State-Authorized Courses at Amarillo College

For-credit academic and workforce education courses offered at Amarillo College are limited to the course options available in the statewide inventory for two-year public institutions. Courses in the state-authorized lower-division Academic Course Guide Manual and Workforce Education Course Manual have specific descriptions that prescribe course content and may include specific student learning outcomes. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) maintains and regularly updates these manuals. Amarillo College faculty and leaders ensure that these courses are aligned with THECB guidelines and evaluated based on student performance outcomes. Students enrolled in these courses are expected to engage with and learn course content. According to the AC Board of Regents Policy Manual, "faculty members are entitled to academic freedom in the conduct of research and teaching and are tasked with the associated responsibilities" (DGC). Students are entitled to academic freedom in the classroom, as well, and faculty "must not attempt to force on students a personal viewpoint and must at all times allow diversity of opinion" (Amarillo College Academic Affairs Manual).

Course

LGLA-1301-001 Legal Research and Writing

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: ENGL 1301, POFI 2301, LGLA 1307 and BCIS 1305 or department chair consent

Course Description

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 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

Hours

(3 sem hrs 3 lec )

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Cengage Unlimited 1-term access code for all LGLA courses for the Fall.  The ISBN is 9780357700037. 

Legal Research, Analysis, and Writing

by William H. Putman, JD, Jennifer R. Albright, JD, LLM | 5th Edition | Copyright 2024

Supplies

Online Access to Textbook 

Student Performance

Legal Research Skills

• Identify Primary vs. Secondary Sources: Differentiate between binding/persuasive primary authority (statutes, case law, regulations) and secondary sources (legal encyclopedias, treatises, law reviews).

• Utilize Computer-Assisted Legal Research (CALR): Formulate targeted search queries using Boolean operators, natural language, and terms-and-connectors on databases such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, or Fastcase.

• Update and Validate Authority: Apply citator tools (such as KeyCite or Shepard's) to verify that cases, statutes, and regulations remain good law.

• Locate Relevant Statutes and Regulations: Retrieve and interpret statutory provisions, legislative histories, and administrative rules relevant to specific factual scenarios.

Legal Writing and Analysis Skills

• Apply IRAC Method: Structure legal analysis logically using the IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application/Analysis, Conclusion) 

• Draft Objective Legal Memoranda: Synthesize research findings into clear, objective office memoranda analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of a client's legal position.

• Draft Persuasive Court Documents: Prepare persuasive legal documents for litigation, such as trial briefs, motions, and supporting affidavits.

• Draft Client and Correspondence Letters: Write professional, clear, and non-legalese correspondence, including client opinion letters, demand letters, and status updates.

Citation and Professional Standards

• Master Legal Citation Format: Apply The Bluebook or ALWD Citation Manual rules correctly for primary and secondary sources in both short-form and long-form citations.

• Proofread and Edit: Edit legal documents for clarity, conciseness, proper grammar, professional tone, and adherence to specific court rules or formatting guidelines.

• Ethical Legal Research: Identify ethical obligations related to legal research and writing, including avoiding duty-to-disclose violations, preventing plagiarism, and ensuring accuracy in representations to the court.

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

Please use my school email talexander25@actx.edu or message me via Blackboard.

Check your Blackboard Messages 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 (16) Each weekly quiz will be a total of 25 points. You have a total of 400 points to earn on your Chapter tests. Your quizzes make up 50% of your final grade. 

•           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. 

Assignments (16) Each Assignment is worth 25 points. You have a total of 400 points to earn on your Discussion Assignments. Each Assignment is due each Sunday by 11:59 p.m. (see calendar below). Your assignments make up 50% of your grade. 

•           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

Attendance

This is a hybrid class but we will meet in person each week and your attendance each week is mandatory. After 4 unexcused absences, you grade will be dropped by one letter. After 6 unexcused absences, your grade will be dropped another letter.  You have 16 assignments and 16 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. 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

Please reach out to me via email at talexander25@actx.edu or via Blackboard Messages if you have any questions.