SYLLABUS FOR INTRODUCTION TO

Term: Summer, 2000 (993) (May 1 - August 5, 2000)

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.

Prerequisites: None

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.

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).

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.

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 ½ 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.

Students in this course will: Obtain a sound well-grounded base of 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:

1. Be familiar to the areas of general law.
2. Be able to 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. Be able to discuss professional and ethical problems in light of established guidelines.
6. Be able to define and discuss the similarities and differences among areas of general law.
7. Be able to demonstrate the role of the paralegal in the legal profession.
8. Be able to demonstrate the organization of facts and issues into an acceptable "brief" form.
9. Be aware of the techniques of legal research and understand the relationship of continuing skill development and legal research and writing.
10. Be able to demonstrate interviewing techniques designed to uncover facts necessary to support a legal position.

Exams (Midterm, Final, Quizzes) 66 2/3 % of grade

Class participation/collaboration/attendance/assignments 33 1/3 % of grade

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

Is an important part of your grade and will enhance your education experience.

1 05/01/2000 Introduction Overview

2 05/08/2000 Chapters 1 & 2

3 05/15/2000 Chapter 3

4 05/22/2000 Chapter 4

5 05/29/2000-Memoral Day Off Campus Work

6 06/05/2000 Chapter 5 - Exam I

7 06/12/2000 Chapters 6 & 7

8 06/19/2000 Chapters 8 & 9

9 06/26/2000 Chapters 10 & 11

10 07/03/2000-4^th of July Holiday Off Campus Work

11 07/11/2000 Chapter 12 – Exam II

12 07/18/2000 Chapters 13 &14

13 07/25/2000 Chapters 15 & 16

14 07/31/2000 Chapters 17 & 18