Spring 2026 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: 1:30pm-4:30pm
Tuesday: 9:30am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday: 1:30pm-4:30pm
Thursday: 9:30 am - 4:30 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
  • Requests for Documents
  • Requests for Admission and the Ethical Challenges 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: Requests for Documents

  • Exam #3

Week 13

  • Chapter 13: Requests for Admission and the Ethical Challenges of Discovery

Week 14

  • Chapter 14: Settlements, Dismissals, and Alternative Dispute Resolution

Week 15

  • Chapter 15: Trial Techniques

  • Chapter 16: Post-Trial Practice

  • Review for Exam #4

Week 16

  • Final Exam (Exam #4)
Final Exam Date May 11, 2026 - 8:00 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 - 20%
Weekly Journals 10%
Final Exam - 20%
Course Policies
Instructor Policies

Students are expected to complete the following each week:

  1. Read the assigned chapter(s).

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

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 emergencies).

  • Students with excused absences must contact the instructor before or immediately after the deadline to arrange a make-up exam.

  • Exams will consist of multiple-choice and true/false questions.

Late Work Policy

  • Late assignments will be accepted up to three (3) days after the original due date.

  • A 5-point deduction per day will be applied for each day the assignment is late.

  • Assignments submitted more than three (3) days late will not be accepted and will receive a zero.

  • This policy applies to assignments only.

  • Late exams are not accepted unless an excused absence is approved by the instructor.

Make-Up Work

  • Make-up assignments or exams are not guaranteed and are granted at the discretion of the instructor.

  • Students must communicate promptly and provide documentation when applicable.

Required Course Materials

  • Every student 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 responsible for checking Blackboard Ultra and their school email regularly for updates, announcements, and schedule changes.

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.

  • To discuss grades, students must schedule an in-person meeting or communicate via email.

Academic Integrity (Dishonesty & Cheating)

  1. Any student caught cheating or sharing their 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.

  2. 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.

Pearson

  • Students experiencing Pearson issues must contact Pearson Technical Support.

  • Notify the instructor immediately of any delays caused by Pearson technical problems.
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 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 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