Legal Research and Writing Syllabus for 2021-2022
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Course Information

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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 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

Legal Writing in Plain English - Bryan A. Garner - Second Edition

ISBN-13: 978-0226283937; ISBN-13: 978-0-226-03139-2 (e-book) 

The Elements of Style - Oliver Strunk and E.B. White - ISBN-13: 978-0205313426

Texas Rules of Form - 14th Edition - University of Texas - ISBN-13: 978-1878674104

 

Supplies

Student Performance

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 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 projects, quizzes, or tests.

PLAGIARISM, CHEATING AND INDIVIDUAL WORK ETHIC: The Amarillo College policies and Code of Student 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 (whether from this semester’s students or a prior semester’s students) will result in a zero on the entire project or test in question. 

Plagiarism is considered serious academic misconduct. “Plagiarism” shall be defined as the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another’s work and the unacknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one’s own written work. All assignments presented in this class must be the work of the student submitting the assignment. No form of scholastic dishonesty will be tolerated. Scholastic dishonesty shall include, but not be limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.

“Cheating on a test” shall include:

• Copying from another student’s test paper.
• Collaborating with or seeking aid from another student during a test.
• Knowingly using, buying, selling, stealing, or soliciting, in whole or in part, the contents of an unadministered test.
• The unauthorized transporting or removal, in whole or in part, of the contents of the unadministered test.
• Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for one’s self, to take a test.
• Bribing another person to obtain an unadministered test or information about an unadministered test.

“Collusion” shall be defined as the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work for fulfillment of course requirements.

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

Grading Criteria

Test	25%
Final Examination	25%
Legal Memorandum	25%
Other Projects and Class Participation	25%

CLASS PARTICIPATION: To receive credit for class participation you must attend regularly, complete all assignments, and participate in class discussions in a positive
fashion.

Attendance

Employees in the business world are expected to be at work each day; therefore, students in paralegal studies classes are expected to be in class promptly and regularly.

Calendar

Additional Information

BE SURE TO SEE YOUR INSTRUCTOR BEFORE YOU CHANGE TO NON-CREDIT, DROP, OR WITHDRAW. THERE MAY BE OPTIONS OF WHICH YOU ARE NOT AWARE.