Spring 2020 Course Syllabus Course: LGLA-2339- Section: 01 Certified Paralegal Exam Review

Instructor Information
Instructor	Doneane Beckcom
E-mail	beckcomde@lamarpa.edu
Phone	(409) 984-6548
Office	Location: Student Center - Room: 415 Hours: MW 10AM - 11AM; TR 9AM - Noon; F 9AM - 11AM; otherwise 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	A review of the mandatory and optional topics covered in the Certified Paralegal Examination administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants.
Prerequisites	Student must have completed at least 12 hours in the Paralegal Studies degree plan
Learning Outcomes	Assess the knowledge acquired in the subject matter areas covered in the Certified Paralegal Examination.
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. 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. NALA Certified Paralegal Exam Fundamentals ISBN 978-0-578-45486-3 Available at the NALA website www.nala.org 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.
Lecture Topics Outline	Chapter 1: The United States Legal System Chapter 2: Civil Litigation Chapter 3: Contracts Chapter 4: Corporate and Commercial Law Chapter 5: Criminal Law and Procedure Chapter 6: Estate Planning and Probate Chapter 7: Real Estate and Property Chapter 8: Torts Chapter 9: Professional and Ethical Liability Chapter 10: Grammar Chapter 11: Spelling Chapter 12: Punctuation Chapter 13: Clarity of Expression Chapter 14: Critical Thinking Chapter 15: Analysis of Information Chapter 16: Decision Making
Major Assignments Schedule	Week 1: read chapter 1, do practice questions Week 2: read chapter 2, do practice questions Week 3: read chapter 3, do practice questions Week 4: read chapter 4, do practice questions Week 5: read chapter 5, do practice questions Week 6: read chapter 6, do practice questions Week 7: read chapter 7, do practice questions Week 8: SPRING BREAK, read chapter 8 and watch the video, do practice questions for next week Week 9: read Chapter 9, do practice questions Week 10: read chapter 10, do practice questions Week 11: read chapter 11, do practice questions Week 12: read chapter 12, do practice questions Week 13: read chapter 13, do practice questions Week 14: read chapter 14, do practice questions Week 15: read chapter 15, do practice questions Week 16: read chapter 16, do practice questions, review for final FINAL EXAM: MOCK CERTIFICATION EXAM
Final Exam Date	May 5, 2020 - 8:00 AM   Through  May 5, 2020 - 9:15 AM
Grading Scale	90 - 100=A    80 - 89=B    70 - 79=C     60 - 69=D    Below 59 = F
Determination of Final Grade	Practice Tests: 50% Final Exam: 50%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies	If you need to see me please make an appointment during office hours. I am always available via email, and in an emergency you can text me at 409-718-8613
Attendance Policy	You will do much better in the course if you attend class for lecture. Failure to attend class regularly will likely result in a lower overall grade.
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.