Mediation Syllabus for 2023-2024
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Instructor Information

Course Information

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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-2337-001 Mediation

Prerequisites

Course Description

Fundamental concepts of mediation and alternative dispute resolution emphasizing the paralegal's role assisting in the mediation process.

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

The Mediator’s Handbook, 4th Edition, Jennifer E. Beer & Caroline C. Packard, New Society Publishers, 2012.

Supplies

Supplies needed for taking notes.

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. Understand the basics of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution method in private disputes and litigation.
2. After completing the class, the student will have satisfied the 40-hour classroom hours of training required to be a court-appointed impartial third party pursuant to Section 154.052 (a), Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code.
3. Upon completion of the course, the student will be eligible to engage in additional 24 hours of classroom training required to serve as a court-appointed impartial third party in disputes relating to the parent-child relationship, pursuant to Section 154.052 (b), Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code. NOTE: THIS ADDITIONAL TRAINING FOR CERTAIN FAMILY LAW CASES IS NOT A PART OF THIS COURSE AND MUST BE OBTAINED ELSEWHERE.

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

GROUND RULES

1.         Everyone is expected to be prepared for class and participate in class discussions and class role-plays. Attendance is vital to the success of this course.

2.         Although students should arrive on time and stay for the entire class period, exceptional 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 it is specifically discussed in lecture.

6.         We practice the greatest skill of the mediator: we listen with respect to each other.

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

GRADES

The final grade will be calculated as follows:

Attendance/Participation                                            20%

Quizzes/Exams                                                           50%

Role Play Exercises                                                    10%

Homework                                                                  20%

There will be 3 exams and a final exam given. All exams will be given on paper during the class period. Students will need to make arrangements to make-up any missed exams.

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

Attendance

Attendance is important for many reasons, but mainly because your learning here will be based on role play training. You are expected to be prepared for and promptly attend all scheduled class meetings.  Should you miss a class, it is your responsibility to determine what you have missed and to respond appropriately.  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 canceled 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.

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