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Spring 2024 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-1307 (Section: 71, CRN: 10263) Introduction to Law and the Legal Professions |
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| Instructor | Tieranny Decuir | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| decuirts@lamarpa.edu | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Phone | 4099846418 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Office | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Office Hours | Monday - 1:00pm-3:00pm Tuesday- 1:30pm-3:30pm Wednesday -1:00pm-3:00pm Thursday- 1:30pm-3:30pm Friday- 11:30pm-1:30pm |
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| 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.
Paralegal Today: The Legal Team at Work |
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| Additional Materials/Resources | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Corequisites/Prerequisites | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Learning Outcomes |
Upon successful completion of this course, students will: 1. Use legal terminology. 2. Explain fundamental legal concepts categorizing substantive areas of law and the federal and state judicial systems. 3. Identify the ethical obligations of the legal professional in various practice areas with particular emphasis on the paralegal's role in the legal profession. |
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| 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. |
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| Lecture Topics Outline |
Today’s Professional Paralegal Career Opportunities The Inner Workings of the Law Office Ethics and Professional Responsibility Sources of American Law The Court System and Alternative Dispute Resolution Legal Research and Analysis Online Legal Research Legal Writing: Form and Substance Civil Litigation: Before the Trial Conducting Interviews and Investigations Trial Procedures Civil Litigation: Before the Trial Tort Law, Product Liability, and Consumer Law Contracts and Intellectual Property Law Real Property and Insurance Law Family Law and Estates Business Organizations and Employment Law. Bankruptcy and Environmental Law |
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| Major Assignments Schedule |
MODULES ON BLACKBOARD Weekly modules will open on Mondays at 8:00am and close on Sundays at 11:30pm. DISCUSSIONS ON BLACKBOARD There will be a written discussion board assignment each week from the topic of each chapter/week. Discussion posts are due every SUNDAY by 11:30 pm, (unless Blackboard goes down). Your responses will be graded for accuracy, writing proficiency, and content. This is a way for us to do writing assignments for a grade while developing good writing and communication skills. You will receive more instruction for each discussion assignment as each one is posted. ASSIGNMENTS ON BLACKBOARD All assignments for the designated week are due by SUNDAY at 11:30 pm, (unless Blackboard goes down). You will receive more instruction as each one is posted. EXAMS & FINAL EXAM There will be 4 exams and a final. Exams will generally cover 3-4 chapters throughout the semester, with a review prior to each exam. You will be given the dates the test will be open and when it will close at least one week prior so that you can plan accordingly. ALL TESTS WILL ON BLACKBOARD. FINAL WILL ALSO BE ON BLACKBOARD. Make-up or Late Assignments and exams Will be at the discretion of the instructor. |
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| Final Exam Date | May 7, 2024 - 8:00 AM Through May 7, 2024 - 11:30 PM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grading Scale |
90-100 = A 80-89 = B 70-79 =C 60-69 = D 59 or below= F |
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| Determination of Final Grade |
Student must make a 70 (C) or above in order to pass this class. Discussions- 20% Exams - 30% Assignments - 25% Final Exam - 25% |
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| 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: 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. |
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| Attendance Policy | Please make sure that you log onto black board and check your email at least 3-5 times per week to view updates, assignments, due dates, and grades. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional Information |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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