Paralegal/Pre-Law Courses (PAR)

The introductory course to the Paralegal/Pre-Law profession.  A practical, rather than theoretical approach is used to explain the role, skills, and responsibilities of a Paralegal/Pre-Law.  Emphasis is on mastering legal terms, legal research writing, and ethics.

The course emphasis is on how to perform legal research in the library and on the computer.   The fundamentals of the legal analysis and writing, correct citation form and eliminating mechanical errors are stressed. Students who have completed this course at another institution must have their skills/expertise evaluated by the program director.
Prerequisite: PAR 100

This course develops and refines skills gained in PAR 200 with an emphasis on actual written legal documents.  Students who have completed this course at another institution must have their skills/expertise evaluated by the Program Director.
Prerequisite: PAR 200

The course offers a realistic look at the law office environment.  Practical information about client management, case files, confidentiality, deadlines, computer file access, billable hours and more are covered to help Paralegal/Pre-Laws prepare for their role in a firm.
Prerequisite: PAR 100

The course deals with a thorough analysis of the litigation process.  Discovery and investigative techniques, pre- and post-trial litigation steps and other tasks performed by Paralegal/Pre-Laws are covered.
Prerequisite: PAR 100

The course introduces the Paralegal/Pre-Law student to basic principles that underlie criminal law while demonstrating the Paralegal/Pre-Law's role in the criminal justice system.
Prerequisite: PAR 100
Cross-listed: CRIJ 310

An introduction to the Paralegal/Pre-Law student in assisting with document preparation for commercial and residential real estate transfers and closings.  Creation of documents for appraisals, taxes and mortgage financing.
Prerequisite: PAR 100

The course provides a comprehensive guide to tort law by examining the various theories of personal injury law. Students are helped to think and problem solve.
Prerequisite: PAR 100

This course is designed to acquaint the student with the role of law in society and in business specifically.  Areas of study include contracts, personal property, bailment and the legal environment of business.
Cross-listed:   ACCT 332, BMGT 330

This course is designed to acquaint the student with law in the areas of commercial paper, debtors' and creditors' rights, agency, legal forms of organization, real property and estates.
Cross-listed:  ACCT 333, BMGT 331

The course covers family law from a case law perspective.  A wide range of topics that affect family law are covered, including divorce, child support, custody, adoption, child abuse and alimony.
Prerequisite: PAR 100

This course covers the basics of contract law.  Coverage includes contract formation, Statute of Frauds, damages, parole evidence rule, assignments, and more.  Article 2 of the UCC is also covered.  Students learn how to draft a contract.
Prerequisite: PAR 100

This course examines the legal marketplace and introduces its members and their respective roles within the legal environment.  Students learn about the integration of technology into the delivery of legal services.  Topics include:  legal fees, timekeeping, billing, case management and docketing software, calendaring software, electronic discovery and filing, and litigation support software.  An emphasis will be placed on more advanced methods of legal research using Westlaw and the Internet.
Prerequisites:  PAR 100, PAR 200, PAR 201, CIS 115 or permission of program director.

The course is designed to acquaint the Paralegal/Pre-Law student with the Bankruptcy code, reduce the statutes to uncomplicated readability, and prepare the case documents for filing.  Chapters 11, 12, and 13 are reviewed; Chapter 7 is stressed.
Prerequisite: PAR 100

This class provides exposure to the real working environment of legal assistants.  The student actually works in a law office gaining training with an attorney and staff.  One hundred hours in the field and ten hours in the classroom.  The course is taken only after most Paralegal/Pre-Law courses have been taken.  Consent of Program Director needed.

This course will examine topics of special interest in the Paralegal/Pre-Law field.  Topics courses (but not specific courses) may be repeated for a total of 6 hours. Anticipated topics:  Labor Law, Municipal Law, Environmental Law, Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, School Law, Intellectual Property Law, Elder Law, Health Law, International Law, Zoning and Land Use Law and Immigration Law.

By participating in a semester-long research program, students earn credit for their degree.  Training in research methodology provides students with the opportunity to pursue Paralegal/Pre-Law Studies from an empirical point of view. Students will design, implement, and construct a formal report on a research topic.  This course requires senior status, a cumulative 3.25 index in the major, and the approval of the Program Director.

This capstone course is designed to assist students in the integration and critical examination of the various concepts, theories, and methods of inquiry presented both in General Education and the major.  Learning outcomes for both the General Education program and the major are reviewed.  Course assignments assist students in assessing the degree for which learning outcomes have been mastered.  Senior standing is required.

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