Interviewing and Investigating Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

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 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.

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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-2305-001 Interviewing and Investigating

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: LGLA 1307 or Department Chair consent

Course Description

This course is a study of principles, methods and investigative techniques utilized to locate, gather, document and manage information. Emphasis on developing interviewing and investigative skills to prepare the paralegal to communicate effectively while recognizing ethical problems.

Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website

Department Expectations

In this course, you are expected to read all assigned materials and agree to abide by the rules and guidelines presented in the department academic integrity policy; by submitting an assignment, you acknowledge this policy. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VG1NSpxZzc8HDz_ElcnwYALIMYy-tCSl/view?usp=drive_link

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

Interviewing & Investigating - Parsons - 6th Edition - ISBN 978-1-4548-7346-4

Supplies

None

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 ethical requirements of the paralegal.  (SCANS* Information, Systems)

2.         Understand, discuss, and identify the basic composition of the court/judicial systems.  (SCANS* Information, Basic Skills)

3.         Demonstrate knowledge and elementary procedures for scheduling, conducting and use of interviewing and investigation in the workplace.  (SCANS* Resources, Information)

4.         Demonstrate basic analytical skills in interviewing and investigation.  (SCANS* Basic Skills, Systems, Interpersonal)

5.         Complete projects requiring basic knowledge in legal research, legal writing, and computer literacy.  (SCANS* Information, Technology)

6.         Gain experience in and an understanding of litigation support and administrative advocacy.  (SCANS* Technology)

* Meets Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS)

Technology:  Works with a variety of technologies.  (Selects technology, maintains, and troubleshoots equipment.

Systems:  Understands complex interrelationships.  (Evaluates, monitors, improves social organizations, and technological systems.)

Informational:  Acquires and uses information.

Interpersonal:  Works with others, serves clients, exercises leadership.

Resources:      Identifies, organizes, plans, and allocates resources (time, money, material, and facilities, human resources).

AAfPE Cor Competencies for Paralegal Programs:  IA6, IA7, IC1, IC2, IC3, ID1, ID2, ID3, IF3, IG1, IH2, IIA1, IIA2, IIA3, IIA4, IIB1, IIB2, IIC1, IIC2, IIC3, IIC4, IIC5, IIC6, IID1, IIE1, IIF1, IIG1, IIG3

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

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.

Grading Criteria

*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 – 10%

Discussion Posts – 30%

Scavenger Hunt – 25%

Tests – 30%

Attendance

Attendance

You are expected to be prepared for, and promptly attend, all scheduled class meetings.  If you attend class and remain in class for the duration of the meeting, 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 missed and to take appropriate measures.  I 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 official withdraw from the course, you will receive a final grade of F.

In the event you are sick or have an emergency, please contact me before class via email at achism21@actx.edu so that I may adjust your grade accordingly.

Calendar

Additional Information

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.