COURSE DESCRIPTION 

This course introduces students to the paralegal career field and the paralegal's role as a professional member of the legal team. Students are introduced to the American legal court system, civil litigation, criminal law and procedure. Legal concepts are presented in a real-world context with an introduction to the skills required of a successful paralegal. There is an in-depth review of legal vocabulary, critical thinking, interviewing, investigation, legal research, law office operations, and current computer technology. Throughout the course an emphasis is placed on legal ethics, professional regulation, and current trends and issues in the legal industry.

COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTION

LEGL 245 LEGAL OPERATIONS (3)
Three lecture hours per week. Recommended: Eligibility for ENGL 836.
This course is designed to expose students to the variety of law-related job opportunities and many of the skills necessary to per-form those jobs, such as legal analysis, terminology, interviewing, investigation, litigation, law office management, and informal and formal advocacy before administrative agencies. Transfer credit: CSU.

Materials:

Required Textbook:  Virginia Koerselman, CLA Review Manual, A Practical Guide to CLA Exam Preparation (Second Edition 2003).  The textbook can be purchased online at the National Association of Legal Assistant's website at http://www.nala.org/

SYLLABUS

Objectives and Competencies

Upon successful completion of the Legal Operations course, students should be able to: 

*Provide a functional definition for paralegals and legal assistants.
*Identify the careers available and the skills necessary for success in the paralegal profession.
*Compare and contrast the role of professional associations, regulations, and educational requirements for entry into the paralegal profession.
*Define the role of other legal professionals and the paralegal's relationship to those individuals.
*Explain, interpret, and apply the rule of ethics and professional responsibility that govern legal professionals.
*Describe the structure of the American legal system and assess how that system functions regarding civil and criminal legal processes.
*Demonstrate effective communication and critical thinking skills by utilizing appropriate legal analysis and vocabulary in the production of oral and written discussions pertaining to a variety of legal issues.
*Be prepared to take the Certified Legal Assistants Examination

Instructional Methods:  Legal Operations combines lecture, class discussion, and analytical exercises. A variety of educational methodologies (i.e., Internet research, audio-visual material, guest speakers, and online court field trips) may be used to enhance the student's learning experience.

Attendance:  Students are expected to attend every class meeting.  Students can accrue 3 absences; however; students can be offically dropped from the instructor's roster after 4 absences.  Due to unforeseen circumstances a student remains in class with 4 absences, it will lower your final grade by a minimum of 1/2 step. It is the student's responsibility to officially drop the class with the Office of Admissions and Records by the deadline or you risk receiving a final "F" grade.

Academic Honesty/Ethics Policy:  A breach of the rules of professional ethics for the paralegal profession is very serious and exposes the violator to severe professional consequences and the violator's employment at The Firm is usually terminated.  Likewise, the same standard will apply in class and the written policies outlined herein are strictly enforced by the instructor Dietra Prater Slack.

The first incident of student's cheating, copying, or plagiarizing homework assignments, tests, and projects receive "0" points.  Offending students are officially dropped from the class roster and will receive a final F grade. The lack of understanding the rules and regulations applicable to student academic conduct are not valid excuses for such behavior. 

Specifically, students should not copy from law library formbooks, cases, Lexis or Westlaw databases or any other resource and submit it as their original work.  Students should acknowledge resources by using an academic or legal style manual such as MLA, APA, or The Bluebook . Homework assignments, projects, and quizzes are archived at the end of the semester.  Should the instructor discover cheating has occurred, the offending student's final grade will be changed to an F.  Skyline College provides a detailed written explanation of their plagiarism policy on their website at http://www.smccd.net/accounts/skyline/sts/handbook/acapol2.html#top.  It is highly recommend that all students read the colleges policies should they need additional clarification.

Evaluation and Course Assignments:  Students begin the semester with 100 percent; however, points will be deducted for incorrect answers to chapter quizzes and incomplete projects.  Submission of homework assignments by the stated deadline on the assignment is expected of all students. Should an emergency cause you to be absent from class, students are required to inform the instructor, Mrs. Slack, by e-mail before class and submit assignments no later than midnight.  Midterm and Final examinations and Projects are not accepted late.  Quizzes are given in class on Wednesday evenings and students are allowed 3 make-up examinations.  Roll is taken at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday evenings and if you are not physically in the classroom it will count as an official absence.

Classroom Behavior: To facilitate a learning environment that encourages active participation, the classroom atmosphere must be one that fosters mutual respect for all students and disruptive students will be asked to leave.

Academic Assistance:  Please contact me by e-mail at dietraslack@yahoo.com if you are having difficulty understanding course requirements.

Grading:  Student's final grades are determined on a total point system and divided into the six categories outlined below. Grading is based on the total points students earn during the semester.  They must have a cumulative percentage of 60% to receive a passing D grade.  

 Categories                       Percentages             Grading

Online Discussion Board     10%                   A = 90-100%
Vocabulary Tests                    10%                   B = 80-89%
Project(s)                                 15%                   C = 70-79%
Weekly Quizzes                       35%                   D = 60-69%
Midterm Examination             15%                   F =   0-59%
Final Examination                   15%
      
                       Total                 100%

Important Dates:

Holidays and Class Recesses: February 18-21; March 21-27
Final Examination: Wednesday, May 25, 2005: 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.