Introduction to Law and the Legal Professions Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Instructor Information

Phone

Office Location

<p>BYRD 323E</p>

Office Hours

MONDAY:  11:00 AM-1:00 PM

TUESDAY:  11:00 AM-1:00 PM

THURSDAY:  9:00 AM- 10:30 AM

Course Information

COVID-19 Protocols

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 Student Service Center office 112. 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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

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 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

Paralegal Today: The Legal Team at Work, 7th Edition; Miller/Meinzinger

 

Supplies

THREE RING BINDER 

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.

 

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 the material in the reading assignments for tests, regardless of whether or not it is specifically discussed in lecture.

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

Use of Electronic Devices

Turn off your cell phone or put it on silent/vibrate ring during class meeting times. Remove and turn off any blue tooth device. No text-messaging will be allowed during class. Put away your iPods, MP3’s, any other device with recorded music, and the earphones to listen to the music. You will be asked to leave class if you are in violation of this request. You will be counted absent and you will not receive credit for that day’s attendance.

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.

Grading Criteria

PROJECT AND TESTING POLICY

Specific dates when projects are due and exams held are provided on the next page.  These dates are adhered to unless changes are announced in class.

Late Assignment Turn in Policy:  No late work will be accepted. 

If you are assigned a group project and you do not participate in the project development or the group presentation, you will receive a grade “0” for the project

 

If any changes are made, they will be announced in class and through AC online, so it is important you check AC Online regularly for updates.  If you are not going to be present on the evening of a major test, you are required to contact me by e-mail at r0114502@actx.edu prior to the test or you will not be allowed to make up the test.  If you contact me, we will make arrangements for a make-up exam.

 

Finally, you are responsible for material in your reading assignments for tests, regardless of whether or not it is specifically discussed in lecture.  From time to time, supplemental readings and assignments may be made during class, and you are responsible for such readings and assignments even if you are absent.

TUTORING POLICY:  IF A STUDENT MAKES A GRADE BELOW 70 ON ANY ASSIGNMENT OR EXAM, THAT STUDENT WILL BE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE A MINIMUM OF 1 HOUR IN THE APPROPRIATE TUTORING CENTER OR APPROVED TUTORING RESOURCE WITHIN 2 WEEKS OF RECEIVING THAT GRADE.

GRADES

 

The final grade will be calculated as follows:

  • Attendance/Participation                                 10%
  • Court Observation Assignment                       15%
  • Quizzes/Exams                                               20%
  • Portfolio/Drafting/Case Brief                           20%
  • Student Engagement/Assignment                  15%
  • Final Exam                                                      20%

C is the minimum grade required for all Legal Studies majors

The final grade will be awarded as follows:

  • 90% to 100%  =   A
  • 80% to 89%    =   B
  • 70% to 79%    =   C*
  • 60% to 69%    =   D
  • Below 60%     =   F

Attendance

 

You are expected to be prepared for and promptly attend all scheduled class meetings.If you attend class, you will get a 100 for that evening; if you do not, you will get a 0. 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.

Weather Closings

If Amarillo college classes are cancelled 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

Date

Discussion / LAB

Assignment

JANUARY 18 AND JANUARY 24

Introductions / Syllabus

Bureau of Labor Statistics

Occupational Outlook Handbook http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Legal/Paralegals-and-legal-assistants.htm

 

Employment Stats:

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm

 

State Estimates:

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_tx.htm#23-0000

 

Discuss Paralegal Ethics and UPL

FAQ-Paralegals

Introduction of Pro Doc

RESUME DISCUSSION

Portfolio Assignment Discussion

GROUP MOVIE ASSIGNMENT DISCUSSION

Syllabus Quiz Due; January 24 by 11:45 p.m.

 

Read Chapter 1 and Chapter 2 

 

 

 

JANUARY 31

Discuss Chapter 1: Today’s Professional Paralegal

Discuss Chapter 2:  Career Opportunities

Document Drafting

 

Read Chapter 3

FEBRUARY 7

Chapter 3:  Inner Workings of Law Office

Document Drafting 

 

Quiz over Paralegal Ethics and UPL

Read Chapter 4

 

FEBRUARY 14

 

Chapter 4:  Ethics and Professional Responsibilities

Document Drafting: Case Brief

 

QUIZ CHAPTER 1-3

 

Read Chapter 5

Read Chapter 6

Read Chapter 17

 FEBRUARY 21

Discuss Chapter 5:  Sources of Law

Discuss Chapter 6:  The Court System and Alternative Dispute Resolution

Chapter 17: Family Law and Estates

Mediation Discussion

Document Drafting

 

Read Chapter 7

 

 

 

 

FEB 28

Chapter 7:  Legal Research and Analysis

 

GROUP MOVIE PRESENTATIONS

Document Drafting

 

Drafting Assignment

Read Chapter 8

Quiz Chapter 4-6, 17 

Read Chapter 16

MARCH 7

 

 

RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT

 

Chapter 7: Legal Analysis and Chapter 8: Online Legal Research

Chapter 16: Real Property and Insurance Law

CONTINUE ONLINE RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT

Document Drafting

COURT OBSERVATION ASSIGNMENT

 

 

Read Chapter 9

"PORTFOLIO CHECK"

MARCH 14

SPRING BREAK

SPRING BREAK

MARCH 21

Chapter 9:  Legal Writing Form and Substance

 

Case Brief

 

Read Chapter 10

Read Chapter 18

“Portfolio Check”

Case Brief Due

MARCH 28

 

Chapter 10:  Civil Litigation:  Before the Trial 

Chapter 18: Business Organizations and Employment Law

Document Drafting

Quiz Chapter 7-9, 16

Read Chapter 11

Read Chapter 12

 

APRIL 4

Chapter 11:  Conducting Interviews and Investigations

Chapter 12: Trial Procedures

 

Court Observation Presentations

 

Read Chapter 13

 

 

APRIL 11

Chapter 13: Criminal Law and Procedures

 

Document Drafting 

Client Interview Assignment

 Quiz: Chapter 10-12, 18

Read Chapter 14

Read Chapter 15

“Portfolio Check” 

APRIL 18

 

APRIL 25

Chapter 14:  Tort Law, Product Liability and Consumer Law

Chapter 15: Contracts and Intellectual Property Law

Chapter 19: Bankruptcy and Environmental Law

Document Drafting

 

 

MAY 2

PRO SE CLINIC

 

 

Quiz Chapter 13-15, 19 

PORTFOLIO DUE!

Finals Review

MAY 9

 

 

 

FINAL EXAM 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

The dates in this Calendar are tentative and are subject to change.

Additional Information

SPRING 2022- Important Dates

Jan 18

First Day of Classes 

Mar 14-20

Spring Break

April 15-17

April 18

Easter Break

Last Day to Withdraw

May 10 Final Exam

 


BE SURE TO SEE YOUR INSTRUCTOR BEFORE YOU DROP OR WITHDRAW.

 

THERE MAY BE OPTIONS OF WHICH YOU ARE NOT AWARE.

Syllabus Created on:

01/16/22 11:48 AM

Last Edited on:

01/17/22 12:47 PM