Fall 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-1307 (Section: 71, CRN: 90259)
Introduction to Law and the Legal Professions
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Instructor Information
Instructor Tieranny Decuir
Email decuirts@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6548
Office Student Center - Room: 415
Office Hours Monday / 10:00am-12:00pm
Tuesday / 2:00pm-4:30pm
Wednesday / 9:00am-12:00pm
 Thursday / 2:00pm-4:30pm

Additional Contact Information None
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.
Required 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.

Introduction to Law for Paralegals, Fifth Edition

ISBN 9798886142211

Publisher- Aspen Publishing

Additional Materials/Resources None
Corequisites/Prerequisites None
Learning Outcomes
  • Use legal terminology;
  • Explain fundamental legal concepts categorizing substantive areas of law and the federal and state judicial systems;
  • And identify the ethical obligations of the legal professional in various practice areas with particular emphasis on the paralegal's role in the legal profession.
Program Student Learning Outcomes 1. Understand legal terms and the paralegal’s role in the legal environment.
2. Apply correct drafting procedures to transactional and court documents.
3. Demonstrate appropriate ethics and professionalism in the legal environment.
4. Exhibit the ability to use computer skills.  
Lecture Topics Outline
Chapter 1. Introduction to Law
Chapter 2. The Participants in the Legal System,
Chapter 2. The Participants in the Legal System, concluded
Chapter 4. Bringing a Legal Action
Chapter 4. Bringing a Legal Action
Chapter 5. Law Office Management
Chapter 6. Ethics and the Law/ Chapter 7. Trials
Chapter 8. Appeals &
Chapter 9. Personal Injury Law (Torts)
Chapter 9. Personal Injury Law (Torts)
Chapter 10. Contracts and Business Law
Chapter 11. Criminal Law
Chapter 11. Criminal Law, concluded
Chapter 13. Real Property Law, begun
Chapter 13. Real Property Law
Chapter 14. Wills and Trusts
Chapter 15. Family Law
Chapter 18. Researching the Law
Chapter 19. Legal Writing

Major Assignments Schedule

 

Week 1

 Chapter 1. Introduction to Law

Week 2

Chapter 2. The Participants in the Legal System,

Week 3 *Assignment 1

 Chapter 2. The Participants in the Legal System, concluded

Chapter 4. Bringing a Legal Action

Week 4 *Exam 1

Chapter 4. Bringing a Legal Action

Week 5

Chapter 5. Law Office Management

Week 6

Chapter 6. Ethics and the Law/ Chapter 7. Trials

Week 7 *Assignment 2

Chapter 8. Appeals &

Chapter 9. Personal Injury Law (Torts)

Week 8 *Exam 2

Chapter 9. Personal Injury Law (Torts)

Week 9

Chapter 10. Contracts and Business Law

Week 10 *Assignment 3

Chapter 11. Criminal Law

Week 11

Chapter 11. Criminal Law, concluded

Chapter 13. Real Property Law, begun

Week 12 *Exam 3

Chapter 13. Real Property Law

Week 13

Chapter 14. Wills and Trusts

Week 14 *Assignment 4

Chapter 15. Family Law

Week 15

Chapter 18. Researching the Law

Week 16 *Final Exam

Chapter 19. Legal Writing

 


Final Exam Date December 8, 2024 - 8:0 AM   Through  December 11, 2024 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale Student must make a 70 (C) or above in order to pass this class.

Determination of
Final Grade

Discussions- 20%
Exams - 30%
Assignments - 30%
Final Exam - 20% 
Course Policies
Instructor Policies 1. Read Assigned Chapter(s) for the week.
2. Study Key Terms.
3. Work any assignments for that week in Blackboard Ultra.

Exams & Assignments : All exams will open on the designated week. If student fails to complete the exam before the closing date, student will receive a zero unless student has an excused absent. (example: Covid, sick, doctor's appointment, etc.) Student is to make arrangements to make up the test. Exams will consist of multiple choice and true or false questions.

Books:

Every student must have a copy of the required textbook or E-book as soon as the bookstore has it available or 2nd week.

Failure to follow instructions (written or oral) will result in penalties.

Instructor will put grades into Blackboard. Students should keep a record of their own grades and average. Instructors will not average grades for students.

I will not discuss your grades over the phone. If you want to discuss your grades, you must come to my office, in person or email me.

Make-up or Late Assignments and exams
Will be at the discretion of the instructor. Dishonest/Cheating:

1. Any student caught cheating or lending their work to another student, both students will receive a zero on the assignment. There is a difference between helping or showing someone how to do the work and someone giving their assignment to a student to copy.
2. Any student caught cheating on a test or final, will receive a "F" for the course.

It is student's responsibility to check their email and blackboard ultra for any updates to class schedules or class work.

Blackboard Issues: Any log in, passwords, or software problems needs to be resolved by the IT department. Please inform your instructor of any delays resulting for IT problems that can't be solved by class work deadlines.

Pearson Issues: If you have issues with Pearson, student is to call Pearson Tech support. Please inform your instructor of any delays resulting with Pearson issues.

Attendance Policy Attend weekly webinars. 
Additional Information None
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
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.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
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.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

Grievance / Complaint / Concern 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.
Department Information
Business and Industrial Technology
Chair:Sheila Guillot
Email:guillsr@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6381