Spring 2026 Course Syllabus
Course: LGLA-1307 (Section: 71, CRN: 10263)
Introduction to Law and the Legal Professions 		LSCPA Logo Image
Instructor Information
Instructor Tieranny Decuir
Email decuirts@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6548
Office Student Center - Room: 415
Office Hours Monday: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Tuesday: 9:30am - 3:00 pm
Wednesday: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Thursday: 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Friday: By appointment only 
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.

 

 
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

  • Introduction to Law

  • Participants in the Legal System

  • Evidence & Investigation in Civil and Criminal Practice

  • Bringing a Legal Action

  • Law Office Management

  • Ethics and the Law

  • Trials

  • Appeals

  • Personal Injury Law (Torts)

  • Contracts and Business Law

  • Criminal Law

  • Administrative Law

  • Real Property Law

  • Wills and Trusts

  • Family Law & Intellectual Property

  • Law of Agency & Legal Research

    		•
    Major Assignments Schedule

    Week 1: Chapter 1 – Introduction to Law
    Week 2: Chapter 2 – The Participants in the Legal System
    Week 3: Chapter 3 – Evidence and Investigation in Civil and Criminal Practice
    Week 4: Chapter 4 – Bringing a Legal Action
    Week 5: Chapter 5 – Law Office Management
    Week 6: Chapter 6 – Ethics and the Law
    Week 7: Chapter 7 – Trials
    Week 8: Chapter 8 – Appeals / Begin Chapter 9 – Personal Injury Law (Torts)
    Week 9: Chapter 9 – Personal Injury Law (Torts)
    Week 10: Chapter 10 – Contracts and Business Law
    Week 11: Chapter 11 – Criminal Law
    Week 12: Chapter 12 – Administrative Law
    Week 13: Chapter 13 – Real Property Law
    Week 14: Chapter 14 – Wills and Trusts
    Week 15: Chapter 15 – Family Law / Chapter 16 – Intellectual Property
    Week 16: Chapter 17 – The Law of Agency / Chapter 18 – Researching the Law

     
     
    Final Exam Date May 8, 2026 - 8:0 AM   Through  May 11, 2026 - 11:59 PM
    Grading Scale  90 - 100=A 80 - 89=B  70 - 79=C   60 - 69=D  Below 59 = F
    Determination of
    Final Grade    		 Discussions- 20%
    Exams - 30%
    Assignments - 30%
    Final Exam - 20% 
    Course Policies
    Instructor Policies

    Weekly Student Responsibilities
    Students are expected to complete the following each week:

    Read the assigned materials.

     

    • Complete all assigned coursework in Blackboard Ultra by the posted deadlines.

    • Check Blackboard Ultra and their school email regularly for updates, announcements, and schedule changes.
    Assignments & Exams
    • All assignments and exams will open during the designated week.
    • Exams must be completed by the posted closing date.
    • Failure to complete an exam by the deadline will result in a zero, unless the student has an excused absence (e.g., illness, COVID, doctor’s appointment, or other documented emergency).
    • Students with excused absences must contact the instructor before or immediately after the deadline to arrange a make-up exam.
    • Exams may consist of multiple-choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank, and essay questions.
    Late Work Policy
    • Late work is accepted up to three (3) days after the original due date.
    • A 5-point deduction per day will be applied for each day the work is late.
    • Work submitted more than three (3) days late will not be accepted and will receive a zero.
    • This policy applies to all course components.
    Make-Up Work
    • Late exams are not accepted unless an excused absence is approved by the instructor.
    • Students must communicate promptly and provide documentation when applicable.
    Required Course Materials
    Students must obtain the required textbook or e-book no later than the second week of class, or as soon as it becomes available through the bookstore.
    Instructions & Professional Conduct
    • Failure to follow written or verbal instructions may result in grade penalties.
    • Students are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times, as this course prepares students for work in legal environments.
    Email & Communication Policy
    • All course-related communication must be conducted via email only.
    • Students should not use Blackboard Ultra Messenger. Messages sent through Blackboard Ultra Messenger will not be monitored or responded to.
    • All emails must be sent from the student’s official school email address to:
      decuirts@lamarpa.edu
    Email Requirements:
    • The subject line must include the course name, course number, and section
      (Example: GOVT-2306-72D - Texas Government)
    • Emails must include the student’s full name.
    • Communication must be professional. Slang, derogatory remarks, aggressive language, or an unprofessional or harsh tone will not be tolerated.
    • Students must review the syllabus, assignment instructions, and course announcements before emailing to ensure the question has not already been addressed.
    • Emails that do not comply with this policy will be corrected once. Continued failure to follow the email policy may result in no response from the instructor.
    Grades & Communication
    • Grades will be posted in Blackboard Ultra.
    • Students are responsible for tracking their own grades and averages.
    • The instructor does not calculate averages for students.
    • Grades will not be discussed over the phone.
     
    Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use Policy

    The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools (such as ChatGPT, Grammarly, or similar platforms) must comply with course and institutional academic integrity standards.
    Permitted Use:
    • AI tools may be used for brainstorming ideas, grammar checks, outlining, or clarifying instructions.
    • AI may be used as a study aid to better understand concepts discussed in class.
    Prohibited Use:
    • AI may not be used to generate full assignments, discussion posts, exams, or written submissions presented as your own work.
    • Copying or submitting AI-generated responses without original thought, analysis, or citation is considered academic dishonesty.
    • Using AI to complete quizzes, exams, or graded discussions is strictly prohibited unless explicitly authorized.
    Disclosure Requirement:
    • If AI tools are used in any capacity beyond basic proofreading or brainstorming, students must clearly disclose how AI was used.
    • Failure to disclose AI assistance may result in academic penalties.
    Academic Integrity:
    • All submitted work must reflect the student’s own understanding, analysis, and effort.
    • Violations of this policy may result in a zero for the assignment, referral for academic misconduct, or additional disciplinary action in accordance with college policy.
    Instructor Discretion:
    • The instructor reserves the right to determine when AI use is inappropriate and to request drafts, explanations, or oral clarification of submitted work.
    Academic Integrity (Dishonesty & Cheating)
    • Any student caught cheating or sharing work will receive a zero on the assignment.
    • There is a clear difference between helping someone understand an assignment and giving someone work to copy.
    • Any student caught cheating on an exam or final will receive an “F” for the course.
    Technical Issues
    Blackboard Ultra:
    • Login, password, or software issues must be resolved through the IT Department.
    • Students must notify the instructor of any technical issues that may affect deadlines.
    Instructor Discretion
    The instructor reserves the right to make reasonable adjustments to the syllabus, course schedule, or policies as necessary. Any changes will be communicated through Blackboard Ultra.
     
    Attendance Policy
    • Attendance is based on active participation in weekly discussion posts within Blackboard Ultra.
    • Students are expected to post and respond in discussion boards by the assigned deadlines.
    • Failure to participate in discussion activities may result in being marked absent for that week.
    • Regular participation in discussions demonstrates engagement with course content and contributes to overall success in the course. 
    Additional Information
    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
    Commercial Music, Visual and Performing Arts
    Chair:CASP
    Email:CASP
    Phone:(409) 983-4921