Copiah Lincoln Community College

Social Science Department

 

PLS 101: INTRODUCTION TO PARALEGAL STUDIES

Course Syllabus

Instructor: Jammie Garrett, J.D.

Email: jammiegarrett21@gmail.com

Phone: 601-XXX-XXXX

 

Building Room: SMIT 203                                            Require Text  Paralegal Today by Roger Miller

Time: 9:30am-10:48am                                    ISBN-10: 1305506081

 

Phone: (601) 717-0101                                                Office hours:    By Appointment only

(text preferably)                                                             Schedule via email/canvas

 

• COURSE TITLE

 

PLS 101: Introduction to Paralegal Studies – (3) Credit Hours

• COURSE DESCRIPTION

 

This course presents fundamental concepts of law and the legal profession, with emphasis on the paralegal’s role. Specifically, this course will provide students with information about lawyers and paralegals and the work that is done in law offices; an overview of the American legal system and the sources of law; and an introduction to computers and their use in the law office. An emphasis throughout the course will be on the use of the internet for accessing legal resource materials and information.

• GOALS & OBJECTIVES

 

PART I: THE PARALEGAL PROFESSION 1. Today's Paralegal Profession. 2. Career Opportunities. 3. The Inner Workings of the Law Office. 4. Ethics and Professional Responsibility. 5. Sources of American Law. 6. The Court System and Alternative Dispute Resolution. PART II: LEGAL PROCEDURES AND PARALEGAL SKILLS 7. Legal Research and Analysis. 8. Online Legal Research. 9. Legal Writing: Form and Substance. 10. Civil Litigation: Before the Trial. 11. Conducting Interviews and Investigations. 12. Trial Procedures. 13. Criminal Law and Procedures. PART III: SUBSTANTIVE AREAS OF LAW 14. Tort Law, Product Liability, and Consumer Law. 15. Contracts and Intellectual Property Law. 16. Real Property and Insurance Law. 17. Family Law and Estates. 18. Business Organizations and Employment Law. 19. Bankruptcy and Environmental Law

• INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNIQUES

 

The instructor will use the following methods to facilitate the online class:

Weekly Modules

PowerPoints

Internet Searches

Course Readings

Legal Documents

Audio

Video

• LEARNING OUTCOMES

 

• Understand the legal process and the nature of law practice, emphasizing the role of the paralegal in the delivery of legal services.
• Identify the professional associations that serve and promote the paralegal profession.
• Understand the legal and ethical principles that guide lawyer and paralegal conduct.
• Understand the organization of the state and federal trial and appellate court systems and the different functions of those courts.
• Determine which area of law is relevant to a particular situation.
• Analyze the various types of employment for paralegals.  
•  

• METHODS OF EVALUATION

 

Students will be evaluated through the following:

Current Events

Course Discussion Forums

Course Readings

Case Briefings

Research Paper

Weekly Activities

Quizzes

Course Case File

• ATTENDANCE

 

SLEEPING IN CLASS IS REGARDED AS AN ABSENCE!!!

Students are expected to attend all classes.  If it is necessary to be absent Students are expected to make up all work missed while they were out.

A student not present in the classroom when his/her name is called on role will be marked ABSENT.

Students coming in late must see the instructor AFTER class to change the ABSENT to a TARDY.  Three TARDIES will be counted as one absence.

Students more than fifteen (15) minutes late will be counted absent

Students are allowed a LIMITED number of absences to account for personal emergencies.  USE THESE ABSENCES FOR PERSONAL EMERGENCIES AND NOT TO "CUT" CLASS.

The Instructional Council has established the following policy for class attendance which is noted in the Student Handbook:

Number of Class Meetings Per Week         Maximum Absences               Cut-out

Two (full term)                                              4                                                 5    

Once a student has been dropped from a class for excessive absences he/she will have the right to appeal this decision to the Dean of Instructional Support.  Consult your Student Handbook for proper procedure and details. The Student Handbook is found on the Co-Lin website under “Student information”- “Student Handbook.”

NO ABSENCE IS CONSIDERED FREE.  Students will be responsible for providing a justifiable reason for each absence to the Appeals Officers; Dr. Jill Logan, Dow/Young #234, or Dr. Stephanie Duguid, Dow/Young 318.

CHILDREN ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CLASS ROOM! Parents enrolled in classes may not bring their children into the classroom during class time.

The Student Handbook states the following:  Electronic device use;

“Students should deactivate signals from cell phones and pagers that can be heard by others during class.  Students may keep pagers and cell phones on silent mode.  Cell phone use (including text messaging, games and use of P.D.A.’s, ipods, mp3) in the classroom while class is in session is strictly prohibited. Copiah-Lincoln understands, however, that in certain situations it is imperative that the student be accessible through his pager or cell phone (emergencies, volunteer firefighter, etc.)  Students must receive permission from the instructor to leave audible signals active.  The SGA/Division Chairs proposed the following consequence for a violation of this policy.”

Students found in violation of this policy will be notified by the instructor (written or verbal).  The instructor will then turn in to the Dean of Students the student’s name and ID# by e-mail. The student will receive a $25 fine.  Multiple offenses will result in increased fine amounts.

 

• GRADING

 

GRADES         EXPLANATION          SCALE                         QUALITY POINTS

A                     Excellent                      100-90                         4 for each semester hour

B                      GOOD                         89-80                           3 for each semester hour

C                      Average                       79-70                           2 for each semester hour

D                     Passing                         69-60                           1 for each semester hour          

F                      Failing                          59-Below                     0 for each semester hour

• Academic Honesty

 

Academic misconduct committed either directly or indirectly by an individual or group is subject to disciplinary action. Prohibited activities include but are not limited to the following practices:

• Cheating, including but not limited to unauthorized assistance from material, people, or devices when taking a test, quiz, or examination; writing papers or reports; solving problems; or completing academic assignments.
• Plagiarism, including but not limited to paraphrasing, summarizing, or directly quoting published or unpublished work of another person, including online or computerized services, without proper documentation of the original source.
• Purchasing or otherwise obtaining prewritten essays, research papers, or materials prepared by another person or agency that sells term papers or other academic materials to be presented as one’s own work.
• Taking an exam for another student.
• Providing others with information and/or answers regarding exams, quizzes, homework or other classroom assignments unless explicitly authorized by the instructor.
• Any of the above occurring within the Web or distance learning environment.

• COURSE BREAKDOWN

 

UNIT 1                        January 10^th – 16^th       Today’s Paralegal Profession

Syllabus Review

Chapter 1 PowerPoint Presentation

UNIT 2                        January 17^th – 23^rd     Career Opportunities

Briefing #1 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Briefing #2 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Legal Research (20 pts.) – Define the terms listed on Canvas using your course book. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Resume (100 pts.) - Draft a Resume for Aubrey Graham, a former graduate of Wesson Attendance Center.  He has worked for Channing Tatum & Associates, 303 Cash Money Lane, Wesson, MS 39191, for the past three years. He graduated from Copiah Lincoln State State University in 2007 and Copiah Lincoln Law School in 2010.  He interned at Death Row Records while in law school.  He specializes in Family and Criminal Law.  He has proficient trial experience and oral argument abilities. Graham can be reached at 601-717-9999 or agraham@hotlinebling.com. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy in the Attorney Notes section of your case file.

Quiz #2 (40 pts.) – Place a copy of your graded quiz in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file.

UNIT 3                        January 24^th – 30^th      The Inner Workings of the Law Office

Briefing #1 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Briefing #2 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Legal Research (20 pts.) – Define the terms listed on Canvas using your course book. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Client Contract (100 pts.) - Draft a Retainer Agreement for a Beyonce Knowles v. Robyn Rihanna Fenty.  Beyonce is alleging that Rhianna hit her car and did not stop.  The accident in question occurred on July 4, 2016 at 2:00am.  The fee amount is 33% with a carrying charge of $7.00 or 6%.  If Beyonce Knowles does not pay within 90 days Taylor Swift & Associates, 1123 Music Hill Rd, Wesson, Mississippi 39191.  Be sure to identify in your Retainer Agreement who is the plaintiff and who is the defendant. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Client Information section of your course case file. 

Quiz #3 (40 pts.) – Place a copy of your graded quiz in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file.

UNIT 4                        January 31^st – February 6^th     Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Briefing #1 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Briefing #2 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Legal Research (20 pts.) – Define the terms listed on Canvas using your course book. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Memorandum (100 pts.) - Memorandum – Draft a one (1) page memorandum to the office manager, Jessica Biel, informing her that there is a conflict of interest in a new case the firm, Snoop Dog & Associates, 243 Lakeover Road, Jackson, MS 39206, has just taken on. An attorney at Snoop Dog & Associates, Mick Jagger, represented Disney, in a labor and employment law suit twelve (12) years ago at a different law firm, Spice Girls & Associates. Yesterday, Selena Gomez came into the office seeking representation for compensation from Disney failing to pay her overtime this past year. Can any arrangements be made? What special procedures should be followed? Can you let Disney know about your consultation with Gomez? Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Quiz #4 (40 pts.) – Place a copy of your graded quiz in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file.

UNIT 5                        February 7^th – 13^th       Sources of American Law

Briefing #1 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Briefing #2 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Legal Research (20 pts.) – Define the terms listed on Canvas using your course book. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Riley v. California (100 pts.) - Go to Google Scholar at   www.scholar.google.com.  (Links to an external site.)

• Search for the United States Supreme Court case Riley v. California in the search box. Select “case law” right below the search box.
• Click on the opinion and answer these questions:

1. What is the citation to the case? What does each item in the citation refer to?
2. Which justice wrote the opinion?
3. List all the names above the name of the justice who authored the opinion.
4. The opinion begins immediately following the name of the justice who wrote the opinion. What issue did the Court address in this case?
5. Press the Control and F keys on your keyboard simultaneously. In the search box that opens, type the words “it is so ordered.” What did the Supreme Court decide and why?
6. Did any justice write a concurring or dissenting opinion? If so, which one(s)?

 

Quiz #5 (40 pts.) – Place a copy of your graded quiz in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file.

UNIT 6                         February 14^th – 20^th    The Court System & Alt. Dispute Resolution

Briefing #1 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Briefing #2 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Legal Research (20 pts.) – Define the terms listed on Canvas using your course book. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Mediation (100 pts.) – In class group mediation. Students must be present and actively participating to get full credit. Place your mediation notes in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file. Extra credit will be given to students who type their mediation notes.

Quiz #6 (40 pts.) – Place a copy of your graded quiz in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file.

UNIT 7                        February 21^st – 27^th     Legal Research and Analysis

Briefing #1 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Briefing #2 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Legal Research (20 pts.) – Define the terms listed on Canvas using your course book. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Components of a Case (100 pts.) – Research Roe v. Wade, list the full case title, case citation, docket number, dates argued and decided, syllabus, the first headnote, names of counsel, name(s) if Justices authoring the opinion, the opinion, the court’s conclusion and the dissent. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Quiz #7 (40 pts.) – Place a copy of your graded quiz in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file.

UNIT 8                        February 28^th – March 6^th       Online Legal Research

Briefing #1 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Briefing #2 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Legal Research (20 pts.) – Define the terms listed on Canvas using your course book. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Westlaw v. Lexis (100 pts.) – Contact three attorneys and or paralegals and ask them do they prefer Westlaw or Lexis Nexus. Be sure to get their response and why, where they practice/employed, their contact information and the date you contacted them. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Quiz #8 (40 pts.) – Place a copy of your graded quiz in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file.

UNIT 9                        March 14^th – 20^th         Legal Writing: Form and Substance

Briefing #1 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Briefing #2 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Legal Research (20 pts.) – Define the terms listed on Canvas using your course book. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Demand Letter (100 pts.) – Create your own law office and draft a demand letter to Angelina Jolie from Brad Pitt requesting $100,000 for the damage to his 2017 Bentley Coup. Jolie states that she accidently rear ended Pitt’s vehicle several times when she was leaving after a heated argument. Pitt does not want the public to learn of this incident so he is willing to push it under the rug if he can simply have his car repaired. George Clooney witnessed the incident. Pitt is giving Jolie until April 1^st, 2017 to pay the $100,000 otherwise he will file a lawsuit.   Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Quiz #9 (40 pts.) – Place a copy of your graded quiz in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file.

UNIT 10                      March 21^st – 27^th        Civil Litigation: Before the Trial

Briefing #1 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Briefing #2 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Legal Research (20 pts.) – Define the terms listed on Canvas using your course book. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

In Class Group Project (100 pts). – Collectively draft a complaint, summons and discovery (interrogatories -25 questions) to be filed in Taylor Swift v. Kanye and Kim West for defamation. The Complaint should be no more than two pages. Once completed and typed, each member of the class should upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Pleadings and Discovery sections of your course case file.

Quiz #10 (40 pts.) – Place a copy of your graded quiz in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file.

UNIT 11                      March 28^th – April 3^rd Conducting Interviews and Investigations

Briefing #1 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Briefing #2 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Legal Research (20 pts.) – Define the terms listed on Canvas using your course book. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Quiz #10 (40 pts.) – Place a copy of your graded quiz in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file.

UNIT 12                      April 4^th – 10^th              Trial Procedures

Briefing #1 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Briefing #2 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Legal Research (20 pts.) – Define the terms listed on Canvas using your course book. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Quiz #10 (40 pts.) – Place a copy of your graded quiz in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file.

UNIT 13, 14 & 15        April 11^th -17^th             Criminal Law/Pro, Tort Law & Contracts

Briefing #1 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Briefing #2 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Legal Research (20 pts.) – Define the terms listed on Canvas using your course book. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Speaker Series (100 pts.) – Students will get credit for actively participating in the speaker series. Active participation equates to asking the speaker questions, engaging in the topic. If a student is absent on this day they will receive a zero for this assignment.  

Quiz #13, 14 & 15 (40 pts.) – Place a copy of your graded quiz in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file.

UNIT 16 & 17             April 18^th – 24^th            Real Property, Insurance, Family & Estates

Briefing #1 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Briefing #2 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Legal Research (20 pts.) – Define the terms listed on Canvas using your course book. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Speaker Series (100 pts.) – Students will get credit for actively participating in the speaker series. Active participation equates to asking the speaker questions, engaging in the topic. If a student is absent on this day they will receive a zero for this assignment.  

Quiz #16 & 17 (40 pts.) – Place a copy of your graded quiz in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file.

UNIT 18 & 19 April 18^th – 24^th Business, Employment, Bankruptcy & Environmental Law

Briefing #1 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Briefing #2 (20 pts.) - Answer the discussion question on Canvas intelligently and with a minimum of 100 words. Place a hard copy of your responses in the Correspondence section of your course case file.

Legal Research (20 pts.) – Define the terms listed on Canvas using your course book. Upload in canvas and place a hard copy of your assignment in the Legal Research section of your course case file.

Speaker Series (100 pts.) – Students will get credit for actively participating in the speaker series. Active participation equates to asking the speaker questions, engaging in the topic. If a student is absent on this day they will receive a zero for this assignment.  

Quiz #18 &19 (40 pts.) – Place a copy of your graded quiz in the Miscellaneous section of your course case file.

Case File – The course case file is 40% of the students’ overall grade. It must be brought to every class or points will be deducted. It will be graded based on content, appearance and timeliness. The Course case file must contain the following sections.

Client Information

Correspondence

Pleadings

Discovery

Legal Research

Miscellaneous

Attorney Notes

• PREREQUISITES

 

None

• ADA STATEMENT

 

The College maintains an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Reasonable Accommodations and Committee(s) which addresses in-depth and detailed requests made by students and prospective students. The committee is comprised of a diverse group of faculty and staff. It is the responsibility of the student to make the request for special accommodations and to provide official documentation of the disabling condition and the need for special accommodations.

A person requesting special accommodations because of a disability needs to self-identify and adhere to the following:

1. Complete an application for Disability Support Services.
2. Provide appropriate documentation for the disability.
3. Discuss his/her need for special accommodations with a member of the ADA Reasonable Accommodations Committee providing a detailed written request for needed accommodations.
4. For situations which involve substantial changes in policies, procedures, or physical structures, a request must be made in writing to the chairperson of the ADA Reasonable Accommodations Committee six months prior to the anticipated date of enrollment.Each of the student’s instructors receives notice as to special accommodations which have been requested and approved for the student. The college makes every effort to accommodate student requests where possible.
5. The chairman is authorized to handle routine requests, however, requests which present new issues, which require large expenditures by the College, or present other problems, are considered by the entire committee. The ADA Reasonable Accommodations Committee will respond to such request within 30 days after it is received.

• CANVAS SUPPORT

 

Canvas Support Channels

By phone

Call: 855.308.2755

By chat

You can chat live 24/7/365:

                  ○   Click the “Help” button in the upper right-hand corner of Canvas

                  ○    Choose “Chat With Canvas Support” from the menu that appears

○    Click the “Find someone to chat with” button on the page to

which you’re directed By web form ← BEST METHOD

You can submit web form tickets 24/7/365. You will receive a first response within an hour. To file a web form ticket:

                  ○   Click the “Help” button in the upper right-hand corner of Canvas

                  ○    Choose “Report a Problem”

                  ○ Fill out the form that appears and click “Submit Ticket”

By email

Web form is better than email, but for some reason you may need to file a ticket by email. Please send your message to support@instructure.com

• DROP CLASS

 

The last day to drop the class is January 13, 201

• OPEN DOOR POLICY
  • The instructor has a virtual open door policy. If you have a problem email or text the instructor as soon as possible.

 

• REVISIONS TO THE SYLLABUS
  • The professor retains the right to add or take away from the course syllabus in regards to lectures and assignments based on student performance and academic necessity.