Fall 2021 Course Syllabus Course: LGLA-2388- Section: 01 Internship - Legal Assistant-Paralegal

Instructor Information
Instructor	Doneane Beckcom
E-mail	beckcomde@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6548
Office	Location: Student Center - Room: 415 Hours: TBA
COVID 19 Information	The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been exposed to COVID 19 or diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition on the COVID 19 Notification Form (available via a link on the Student Code of Conduct COVID19 webpage). This information will be provided to the Dean of Student Services. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Course Information
Description	A work-based learning experience that enables the student to apply specialized theory, skills and concepts. A learning plan is developed by the college and the employer. Two mandatory on-campus class meetings will be held.
Prerequisites	Successful completion of 50 semester hours towards LSCPA paralegal degree and 18 hours of LGLA courses.
Learning Outcomes	(Related PSLO in parenthesis, all PSLOs are measured buy student self-reporting, instructor observation, and employer evaluation) 1. Work effectively in an office environment (1) 2. Deal appropriately with fellow employees (3) 3. Respond properly to work assignments (3) 4. Develop camaraderie with work associates (3) 5. Avoid annoying habits in the office (3) 6. Effectively mold positive opinion for ideas (3) 7. Act appropriately in unfamiliar workplace settings (1) 8. Dress properly on the job (3) 9. Develop good rapport with supervisors (1) 10. Use the document production software utilized by the law office to draft documents for the supervising attorney (2, 4)
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. * Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view. * 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	Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer. None.
Lecture Topics Outline	I am always available via email or text, 409-718-8613. You will receive a packet of information for you and your supervising attorney which I will send electronically (it includes all of the forms referenced above). If you need to see me, make an appointment as my office hours may not match up with your internship hours. I will visit with your supervising attorney and his or her staff at least once per month, probably via phone or email. Be sure that you are doing at least 10 hours per week so that you meet the 160 minimum hour requirement by the last class day. You may work more than 10 hours per week if your schedule and other responsibilities allow (do NOT sacrifice your grades to work more hours!).
Major Assignments Schedule	Students will turn in a weekly log of hours worked and tasks accomplished. Please turn these in each Monday for the preceding week. These are to be uploaded in Blackboard. You should have an intern book for yourself and your supervisor (I will give these to you electronically). Initial paperwork needs to be turned in by the second full week of classes (I will show you what you need to complete). THERE IS NO FINAL EXAM IN THIS CLASS! Only the final student/employer evaluation is required to be turned in by the last class day at noon. *THE FINAL EXAM DATE LISTED BELOW IS ACTUALLY A WINDOW OF TIME FOR YOU TO TURN IN YOUR INTERNSHIP EVALUATIONS (EMPLOYER AND STUDENT). NOTE THAT IT IS DUE BY NOON ON DECEMBER 11
Final Exam Date	December 7, 2022 - 8:0 AM   Through  December 11, 2022 - 12:0 PM
Grading Scale	90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade	Attendance and professionalism: 10% Required paperwork and Hourly Reports: 50% Employer Evaluation: 40% You will be given a handbook that has a number of required forms to be filled out by you and your attorney supervisor at the beginning of the semester. I will assist you in which forms are necessary. The required forms to start your internship experience are due at the end of the 2nd full week of classes. These will be uploaded to Blackboard. The booklet also contains the weekly hourly log and the student and supervisor evaluation to be completed at the end of the semester. ALL of the required paperwork is to be uploaded to Blackboard. DO NOT SCAN, EMAIL, or TEXT these to me. Your weekly hourly reports are due EVERY Monday for the prior week. You may scan and email them or you can turn in hard copies to my office if you are on campus. It is important that you get your hours turned in weekly and keep up with your total hours as the semester goes. Keep a copy of your hourly reports for your own use so that you will always know what your total hours are. I WILL NOT ADD UP YOUR HOURS FOR YOU! Please keep up with your running total and do not get behind. If you do at least 10 hours per week you should be fine. Your internship supervisor will assist you in creating a schedule that meets other needs (on campus classes, if you work part time, etc.). If you need to miss a scheduled time with your internship, you MUST let them know as soon as you can. You also need to email me to let me know that you need to miss. Please make every effort to be there for every scheduled day. Emergencies and illness happen and I understand, but please be diligent in being there when you are scheduled. I will meet with your supervisor in person at the beginning of the semester, and check in with them periodically via phone and email to check your progress. If you have ANY problems with your supervisor or any staff/other employees/etc. PLEASE let me know as soon as possible. I will not tolerate a hostile work environment for my interns, so if an issue arises please notify me immediately. YOU MUST TURN IN THE WRITTEN EMPLOYER EVALUATION BEFORE THE LAST CLASS DAY AT NOON. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	I am always available via email or text, 409-718-8613. You will receive a packet of information for you and your supervising attorney which I will send electronically (it includes all of the forms referenced above). If you need to see me, make an appointment as my office hours may not match up with your internship hours. I will visit with your supervising attorney and his or her staff at least once per month, probably via phone or email. Be sure that you are doing at least 10 hours per week so that you meet the 160 minimum hour requirement by the last class day. You may work more than 10 hours per week if your schedule and other responsibilities allow (do NOT sacrifice your grades to work more hours!).
Attendance Policy	The student must attend scheduled meetings via Zoom or another online platform (just one for orientation purposes) and work for the internship employer a minimum of 160 hours during the regular semester.
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.
MyLSCPA	Be sure to check your campus E-mail and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA 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 MyLSCPA.
Other	I am always available via email. If you feel like your internship placement is not a good fit, or if you are not being given paralegal type tasks to accomplish (in other words, you are only filing or making courthouse runs, etc.) let me know immediately so that I can remedy the issue. YOU ARE TO BE DOING REAL PARALEGAL WORK, NOT ACTING AS A FILE CLERK OR A RUNNER! If this happens you MUST let me know ASAP!
HB 2504	This syllabus is part of LSC-PA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
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.