Spring 2025 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-1345 (Section: 71, CRN: 10521)
Civil Litigation 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Tieranny Decuir
Email decuirts@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6548
Office Student Center - Room: 415
Office Hours
  • Monday: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM 
  • Tuesday: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 
  • Wednesday: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM 
  • Thursday: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM 
  • Friday: By appointment only
    		•
    Additional Contact Information None
    Course Information
    Description Presents fundamental concepts and procedures of civil litigation including pretrial, trial, and post-trial phases of litigation and emphasizes the paralegal's role in civil litigation.
    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.


    Civil Litigation
    By Kerley, Peggy / Hames, Joanne Banker / Sukys, J.D. Paul
    Edition: 8TH 20
    Publisher: CENGAGE L
    ISBN 13: 9781337798839
    Additional Materials/Resources None
    Corequisites/Prerequisites None
    Learning Outcomes 1. Use terminology relating to civil litigation.
    2. Analyze sources relating to civil litigation and applicable court rules.
    3. Draft documents used in civil litigation.
    4. Analyze the ethical considerations of the paralegal in relating to civil litigation.
    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 Litigation and the Paralegal
    The Courts and Jurisdiction
    Preliminary Considerations and Procedures
    Investigation and Evidence
    The Complaint
    Responses to the Complaint
    Motion Practice
    Overview of the Discovery Process
    Depositions
    Interrogatories
    Physical and Mental Examinations
    Request for Documents
     Requests for Admission and the Future Ethical Problems of Discovery
    Settlements, Dismissals, and Alternative Dispute Resolution
    Trial Techniques
    Post-trial Practice
    Major Assignments Schedule

    Week 1    		 Chapter 1:Litigation and the Paralegal  
    Week 2 Chapter 2: The Courts and Jurisdiction  
    Week 3 Chapter 3: Preliminary Considerations and Procedures Review for Exam #1

     
    Week 4 Chapter 4: Investigation and Evidence Exam #1
    Week 5 Chapter 5: The Complaint  
    Week 6 Chapter 6:  Responses to the Complaint
         		  
    Week 7 Chapter 7: Motion Practice Review for Exam #2
    Week 8 Chapter 8: Overview of the Discovery Process Exam #2 
    Week 9 Chapter 9: Depositions  
    Week 10 Chapter 10: Interrogatories  
    Week 11 Chapter 11: Physical and Mental Examinations
         		 Review for Exam #3
    Week 12 Chapter 12: Request for Documents Exam #3
    Week 13 Chapter 13: Requests for Admission and the Future Ethical Problems of Discovery  
    Week 14 Chapter 14: Settlements, Dismissals, and Alternative Dispute Resolution  
    Week 15 Chapter 15: Trial Techniques Chapter 16: Posttrial Practice Review for Exam #4
    Week 16 Final Exam Exam #4

    Final Exam Date May 12, 2025 - 8:0 AM   Through  May 14, 2025 - 11:59 PM
    Grading Scale 90-100 = A
    80-89 = B
    70-79 =C
    60-69 = D
    59 or below= F
    Determination of
    Final Grade    		 Discussions- 20%
    Exams - 30%
    Assignments - 20%
    Webinar Journals 10%
    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 on Monday's 5:00pm.

    The instructor will present information on a variety of topics which may include the current week's readings, discussion boards, or assignments, as well as answer questions about the course content.
     
    The Weekly Webinar will be held through blackboard collaborate. It is recommended that students attend the webinars to benefit from the opportunity to interact with the professor and peers, increasing the chances of success in the course. However, webinar attendance is not mandatory. If you do not attend live, you will need to access the recorded webinars (posted each week in the Announcements section) in order to make your weekly journal entries regarding the key points in each.
    Additional Information TimelyCare

    FREE 24/7 Virtual Care For Students

    Lamar State College Port Arthur students have FREE, 24/7 access to virtual care services with TimelyCare — the virtual health and well-being platform from TimelyCare, designed for college students. Students do not need insurance to access TimelyCare services. Download the app here. As part of Lamar State College Port Arthur’s partnership with TimelyCare, students have access to services in TimelyCare, including:

    • TalkNow: 24/7, on-demand emotional support to talk about anything, including anxiety, relationships, depression, and school-related stressors.
    • Scheduled Counseling: Choose the day, time, and mental health provider that best works for you. (9 visits per year)
    • Health Coaching: Develop healthy lifestyle behaviors, including nutrition, sleep habits, time management, and mindfulness.
    • Psychiatry: Appointments are available through referrals.
    • Self-Care Content: Visit the “Explore” page within TimelyCare for guided self-care content, including yoga and meditation sessions, as well as group conversations with our providers on a variety of health and well-being topics.
    • Basic Needs Support: Access to low or reduced-cost community resources, including food and housing assistance, transit support, childcare, and finances.
    Students have access to TimelyCare services 365 days a year. That means you have access during breaks, after-hours, and any time you need support! Visit timelycare.com/LSCPA to get started.
    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 Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. 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