Fall 2019 Course Syllabus Course: LGLA-1307- Section: 01 Introduction to Law and the Legal Professions

Instructor Information
Instructor	Doneane Beckcom
E-mail	beckcomde@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6548
Office	Location: Student Center - Room: 415 Hours: MWF 11AM - 2PM, TR 9AM - 10:45AM; other times by appointment
Department	Business and Industrial Technology Chair: Sheila Guillot E-mail: guillsr@lamarpa.edu Phone: (409) 984-6381 If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Course Information
Description	Overview of the law and the legal professions including legal concepts, systems, and terminology; substantive areas of law and the federal and state judicial systems; ethical obligations and regulations; professional trends and issues with emphasis on the paralegal's role.
Prerequisites	None.
Learning Outcomes	1. Understand legal terms by reviewing key terms in the textbook and other assigned readings/projects. 2. Write an effective legal resume, locate forms and draft appropriate documents. Write an effective cover letter. Use correct grammar in speech and written word. 3. Understand and be able to articulate unethical practices in the law firm or other workplace. Utilize appropriate job resume and interviewing techniques. Perform tasks authorized for paralegals, not attorneys. 4. Utilize blackboard and through the internet. Draft documents using Word. Prepare charts using Excel. Review power points as an additional resource.
Core Objectives	* Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication. * Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions. * Personal Responsibility: Students will demonstrate the ability to connect choices, actions and consequences to ethical decision-making.
Program Student Learning Outcomes	PSLO ALPHA: Reading skills: demonstrates comprehension of content (legal) area reading material. PSLO 1: understand legal terms and the paralegal's role in the legal environment. PSLO 2: apply correct drafting procedures to transactional and court documents. PSLO 3: demonstrate appropriate ethics and professionalism in the legal environment. PSLO 4: exhibit the ability to use computer skills.
Textbooks	Introduction to Paralegal Studies, 6th Edition Currier and Eimermann Wolters Kluwer ISBN 978-1-4548-7342-6
Lecture Topics Outline	Paralegals and the American Legal System: Intro to the study of law and the paralegal profession Legal ethics Sources of Law Classification of the Law Courts Civil Litigation and Alternatives Substance of the Law: Torts Contract Law Specialized Practice Areas Legal Analysis and Research Paralegals and the Work World: Interviewing Evidence and Investigations Computers and Case Management
Major Assignments Schedule	We will typically cover one to two chapters per week depending upon how quickly our class moves through the materials. Tests will generally cover 4 chapters and occur every 3 - 4 weeks throughout the semester, with a review prior to each exam.
Final Exam Date	December 10, 2019 - 11:00 AM   Through  December 10, 2019 - 1:00 PM
Grading Scale	90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade	Tests 70% Chapter Assignments (vocabulary, review questions, case analysis) 20% Discussions (blackboard) 10%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	I am always available via email. Please make an appointment to discuss grades. Otherwise feel free to stop by my office during posted office hours. Powerpoints and other study resources are available on Blackboard.
Attendance Policy	A student with 9 or more absences may be dropped from the course.
Academic Honesty	Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSC-PA policies (Section IX, subsection A, in the Faculty Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
Facility Policies	No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
Important Information
ADA Considerations	The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
MyLamarPA	Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLamarPA campus web portal (My.LamarPA.edu). When you've logged in, click the email icon in the upper right-hand corner to check email, or click on the "My Courses" tab to get to your Course Homepage. Click the link to your course and review the information presented. It is important that you check your email and Course Homepage regularly. You can also access your grades, transcripts, and determine who your academic advisor is by using MyLamarPA.
Other
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.