Calumet College of St.
Joseph
SYLLABUS FOR
INTRODUCTION TO
PARALEGAL STUDIES
Term: Summer, 2001-2002 (013) (April 29th – August 4th)
Course Number: PAR 100X
Instructor:
Mr. James Adduci, J.D.
Office
Phone: (219) 473-4254
E-mail: jadduci@ccsj.edu
Home
Phone: (708) 895-8600
Office Hours: Monday, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
(I am available to students during posted office hours or by phone at either
office listed above.)
Course
Time: Monday, 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Course Description:
The
introductory course to the paralegal profession. A practical, rather than theoretical approach is used to explain
the role, skills, and responsibilities of a paralegal. Emphasis is on mastering legal terms, legal
research, writing, ethics, concepts and introduction to areas of law. This course creates a sound base upon which
to build a legal career.
About the Instructor:
James J.
Adduci, B.A., JD. is a graduate of St. Joseph College, Calumet Campus (1969)
and DePaul University (1974). He is a
full-time instructor of the Paralegal Program and active in the Athletic
Program at Calumet College of St. Joseph (since 1999) and a practicing lawyer
in Illinois (since 1974). His main
interest is in social justice, community affairs and government. He is active in community outreach projects and
programs that assist those in need.
Hobbies:
Horseback riding, Fly-Fishing, Antique Collecting and Civil War Southern
History
Philosophy: "My
hope is that we at CCSJ are able to instill in you the desire to be a life long
learner and a competent responsible professional".
Textbooks: Paralegals in American Law
Introduction to Paralegalism, by: Angela Schneeman
Lawyers Cooperative
Publishing, Copyright 1995
Statement
of Plagiarism:
If an instructor or other Calumet College of St.
Joseph personnel find that a student has plagiarized or been involved in
another form of academic dishonesty, the instructor or other personnel may
elect to bring the matter up for judicial review. The maximum penalty for any
form of academic dishonesty is dismissal from the College. The procedures for
judicial review are listed under the section of CCSJ handbook that addresses
student grievances.
Calumet College of St. Joseph adheres to
citation guidelines as written in the Publication Manual of the American
Psychological Association, Fourth Edition. A copy is available from the Calumet
College of St. Joseph bookstore. This text outlines how to cite references from
a variety of sources, including electronic media.
Withdrawal
from Classes Policy:
After the last day for class changes has passed
(see College calendar), students may withdraw from a course in which they are
registered with permission from the faculty member conducting the course. A
written request detailing the reason(s) for the withdrawal must be filed with
the Registrar. Written request for withdrawal must be received by the Registrar
by the last day of classes prior to the final examination dates specified in
the catalogue. Written requests may be mailed to the Registrar or faxed to the
College fax number 219-473-4259. Students are to make note of the refund
schedule when withdrawing from courses. The request is forwarded to the faculty
member, who makes the final determination to accept or deny the request.
If the request is honored, the student will
receive notification of official withdrawal; if denied, the notification will
indicate why the withdrawal is disallowed. Note: Degree Completion Division
(DCD) students should consult the DCD Student Handbook for information on DCD
withdrawals.
An official withdrawal is recorded as a
"W" grade on the student's transcript. Dropping a
Course without written permission automatically
incurs an "F" grade for the course (see
Refund Schedule).
Learning
Strategies:
Class will use lectures, video, role-playing,
collaborative learning and other creative activities.
Class
Policy on Attendance:
1. Attendance
is taken each class period.
2. Students
are permitted to miss the equivalent of six (6) classroom contact hours without
any questions.
3. The
missing of the seventh (7) contact hour elicits a warning to the student that’
any more absences may result in the lowering of the final grade by at least one
letter grade. And/or the student will be required to complete an additional
assignment (s) for the course of study.
Class
Policy for Assignments:
1. Reading
assignments should be completed before attendance in class.
2. The
instructor will be available for individual or group counseling by appointment
upon student request.
3. Any
written work or written briefs must be typed (double-spaced) or written in ink
on
8 ˝ x 11-inch paper.
4. Cases
in text will be briefed by students.
5. If
for any reason you decide to withdraw from the course, write a letter of
explanation to the registrar so that a “W” and not an “F” will appear on your
record.
Course
Objectives:
Students in this course will obtain a
well-grounded basic understanding of legal concepts and principles of
Paralegalism upon which they will be able to build their careers. Upon completion of this course the student
shall be able to:
1. Demonstrate
familiarity with the areas of general law.
2. Define
and use properly terms relating to the general areas of law.
3. Define
and use ethical concepts correctly.
4. Define
and use professional relationships correctly.
5. Discuss
professional and ethical problems in light of established guidelines.
6. Define
and discuss the similarities and differences among areas of general law.
7. Demonstrate
the role of the paralegal in the legal profession.
8. Demonstrate
the organization of facts and issues into an acceptable “brief” form.
9. Identify
the techniques of legal research and understand the relationship of continuing
skill development and legal research and writing.
10. Demonstrate
interviewing techniques designed to uncover facts necessary to support a legal
position.
Assessment:
Evidence that the course objectives have been
obtained will come from performance on presentations, written papers, tests,
quizzes, demonstrations, and discussions.
Exams (Midterm, Final, Quizzes) 66 2/3 % of grade
Class
participation/collaboration/attendance/assignments 33 1/3 % of grade
Grading
Scale:
A:
95-100 A-: 90-94 B+: 86-89 B: 82-85 B-:
80-81 C+: 76-79
C:
74-75 C-: 70-73 D+: 66-69 D: 64-65 D-:
60-64 F: 59 or lower
Class
Participation:
Participation is an important part of your grade
and will enhance your education experience.
Week Class Date Topic-Assignment
1 04/29/2002 Introduction + Course
Overview
2 05/06/2002 Chapters
1 & 2
3 05/13/2002 Chapter
3
4 05/20/2002 Chapter
4 – Exam I
5 05/27/2002 Chapters
5&6
6 06/03/2002 Chapters
7 & 8
7 06/10/2002 Chapter
9
8 06/17/2002 Chapters
10
9 06/24/2002 Chapters
11 – Exam II
10 07/01/2002 Chapter 12
11 07/08/2002 Chapter
13
12 07/15/2002 Chapter
14
13 07/22/2002 Chapters
15 & 16
14 07/29/2002 Chapters 17 & 18
**FINAL PER EXAM SCHEDULE**