Fall 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-1401 (Section: 1, CRN: 91721)
Legal Research and Writing 		LSCPA Logo Image
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
Friday- Available by Appointment
Additional Contact Information None
Course Information
Description Presents the fundamentals of legal research and writing emphasizing the paralegal's role including resources and processes used in legal research and writing.
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.

Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals, Tenth Edition

Deborah E. Bouchoux

Print ISBN 9781543847581, 1543847587

eText ISBN 9798889063223

Publisher- Aspen Publishing
Additional Materials/Resources none
Corequisites/Prerequisites
  • LGLA-1307 Introduction to Law and the Legal Professions
Learning Outcomes
Locate primary and secondary legal authority.
Implement research strategies using available research tools.
Draft legal documents.
Analyze the ethical considerations of the paralegal relating to legal research and writing.
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. Finding the Law
Chapter 2. The Federal and State Court Systems
Chapter 3. Statutory Law
Chapter 4. Case Law and Judicial Opinions
Chapter 5. Locating Cases Through Digests, Annotated Law Reports, and
Words and Phrases
Chapter 6. Encyclopedias, Periodicals, Treatises, and Restatements
Chapter 7. Miscellaneous Secondary Authorities
Chapter 8. Legal Citation Form
Chapter 9. Updating and Validating Your Research & Chapter 10. Special Research Issues
Chapter 11. The Digital Library: Lexis+, Westlaw, Artificial Intelligence, and
Other Non-Print Research Sources
Chapter 12. E-Research: Legal Research Using the Internet & Chapter 13. Overview of the Research Process
Chapter 15. Strategies for Effective Writing and Electronic Communications
Chapter 16. Legal Correspondence & Chapter 17. Legal Memoranda
Chapter 18. Legal Briefs
Major Assignments Schedule  

Week 1		 Finding the Law

 		 Chapter 1
Week 2 The Federal and State Court Systems Chapter 2
Week 3 Statutory Law Chapter 3
Week 4 Case Law and Judicial Opinions
EXAM 1		 Chapter 4 Test includes material in Chapters 1-4
Week 5 Locating Cases Through Digests, Annotated Law Reports, and
Words and Phrases		 Chapter 5
Week 6 Encyclopedias, Periodicals, Treatises, and Restatements

 		 Chapter 6
Week 7 Miscellaneous Secondary Authorities Chapter 7
Week 8  
Legal Citation Form

EXAM 2		 Chapter 8
Test includes material in Chapters 5-7
 
Week 9
Updating and Validating Your Research 
 		 Chapter 9
Week 10  Special Research Issues Chapters 10
Week 11 The Digital Library: Lexis+, Westlaw, Artificial Intelligence, and
Other Non-Print Research Sources		 Chapter 11
Week 12
EXAM 3		 Test includes material in Chapters 8-11
Week 13 E-Research: Legal Research Using the Internet & Overview of the Research Process Chapter 12
Week 14 Strategies for Effective Writing and Electronic Communications Chapter 15
Week 15 Legal Correspondence & Legal Memoranda Chapter 16 & 17
Week 16  Legal Briefs Chapters 18
FINAL EXAM WEEK  Final Exam Covers material in Chapters 12-18
 


Legal Citation Form
Legal Citation Form
Legal Citation Form
Final Exam Date December 6, 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%
Attendance - 10%
Exams - 25%
Assignments - 25%
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 Attendance is worth 10% of your grade.
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