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MASTER SYLLABUS |
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LAW 2620 |
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| Class Hours: 3.0 | Credit Hours: 3.0 | ||||||||
| Laboratory Hours: 0.0 | Date Revised: Fall 00 | ||||||||
| Catalog Course Description: | |||||||||
| Supervised practical experience in a legal clinic environment with classroom instruction to support the clinical experience. | |||||||||
| Entry Level Standards: | |||||||||
| Students should maintain professionalism at all times. | |||||||||
| Prerequisites: | |||||||||
| LAW 1060, 2210; minimum 3.0 GPA in LAW courses; department approval. | |||||||||
| Textbook(s) and Other Reference Materials Basic to the Course: | |||||||||
| None required | |||||||||
| I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis: | |||||||||
| Week | Topic | ||||||||
| 1 | Introduction: Orientation to legal clinic; syllabus review; preparation and discussion of individual learning objectives | ||||||||
| 2-6 | Oral reports and discussion of individual clinic experiences | ||||||||
| 7 | Written reports comparing and contrasting student’s clinic experiences with individual learning objectives | ||||||||
| 8-14 | Oral reports and discussion of individual clinic experiences | ||||||||
| 15 | Discussion topic: value of paralegals to pro bono project and value of legal clinic to paralegal education | ||||||||
| 16 | Turn in hourly log, final written report, and supervisor’s evaluation | ||||||||
| II. Course Objectives*: | |||||||||
| A. | Support and supplement the development of professional skills and knowledge in a real-world setting. I, II, III, IV | ||||||||
| B. | Consistently monitor the development of on-the-job skills and knowledge. I, II, III, IV, V | ||||||||
| C. | Assess the student’s overall training in Pellissippi State’s Paralegal Studies program. I, II, III, IV, V | ||||||||
| D. | Demonstrate appropriate tools for locating, evaluating, and securing permanent employment opportunities. I, II, III, IV, V | ||||||||
| *Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the Paralegal Studies program. | |||||||||
| III. Instructional Processes*: | |||||||||
| Students will: | |||||||||
| 1. | Practice elements of the work ethic such as professionalism, preparedness, punctuality, honesty, cooperation, dependability, contribution, effectiveness, good manners, etc. Personal Development Outcome, Transitional Strategy | ||||||||
| 2. | Perform course assignments by leading discussion of new skills acquired and career-related insights, including those of a legal or technical nature as well as those of a purely professional nature, such as communications or interpersonal skills gained from experiences, etc. that help develop critical thinking, problem solving, goal setting and planning skills. Communication Outcome, Personal Development Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Information Literacy Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy | ||||||||
| 3. | Examine ethical issues related to legal representation, unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality, duty of legal professional to provide legal services, etc. Personal Development Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Transitional Strategy | ||||||||
| 4. | Participate in role-playing client relationship exercises. Personal Development Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy | ||||||||
| 5. | Listen to guest speakers from the legal community to learn the demands for paralegal skills in the work world, including transition suggestions between school and employment. Personal Development Outcome, Transitional Strategy | ||||||||
| *Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process. | |||||||||
| IV. Expectations for Student Performance*: | |||||||||
| Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to: | |||||||||
| 1. | Recognize and avoid acts that constitute the unauthorized practice of law. A, D | ||||||||
| 2. | Recognize and avoid acts that constitute the breach of client confidentiality. A, D | ||||||||
| 3. | Recognize potential and actual conflict of interest situations. A, D | ||||||||
| 4. | Describe what kind of skills are employed during employment interview process. A, B, C, D | ||||||||
| 5. | Discuss the paralegal’s role in legal aid clinic. A, B, C, D | ||||||||
| 6. | Demonstrate research skills by finding law applicable to assignment. B, C, D | ||||||||
| 7. | Describe the differences between federal and state court jurisdiction. A, B, C, D | ||||||||
| 8. | Describe computer use in legal environments. D | ||||||||
| 9. | Explain the various types of employment for paralegals. A, B, D | ||||||||
| 10. | Perform typical duties of the paralegal in a legal aid clinic. A, B, C, D | ||||||||
| 11. | Demonstrate the characteristics of an effective paralegal. A, B, C, D | ||||||||
| 12. | Appreciate the critical importance of honesty and integrity in the legal environment. A, B, D | ||||||||
| 13. | Explain the role of bar associations and legal assistant organizations in developing professional standards for paralegals. C | ||||||||
| *Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above. | |||||||||
| V. Evaluation: | |||||||||
| A. Grading Procedures: | |||||||||
| Legal Clinic is pass/fail. | |||||||||
| B. Laboratory Expectations: | |||||||||
| Students must complete the required number of classroom and laboratory hours. | |||||||||
| C. Field Work: | |||||||||
| Students must complete a time log, periodic written reports, oral reports, presentations, and final report; and maintain professionalism at all times. | |||||||||
| D. Other Evaluation Methods: | |||||||||
| 1. The
instructor will provide full details the first week of class via a syllabus
supplement.
2. All papers will be graded for spelling and English usage in addition to content and format. 3. Any student encountering academic difficulty during the term is strongly encouraged to meet with the instructor to discuss options and solutions. |
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| VI. Policies: | |||||||||
| A. Attendance Policy: | |||||||||
| Students are expected to demonstrate the same level of professionalism in the scheduled classes as they would in a law office position. Pellissippi State’s attendance policy is set out in the catalog. Students must be present for at least 75 percent of scheduled meetings in order to receive credit for the course. Attendance is essential to perform well in this course. Absenteeism is recorded, not excused. Twelve (12) hours of absences will result in an automatic “F” for the course. | |||||||||
| B. Ethics: | |||||||||
| Nowhere are personal and professional ethics as important as in legal work, where court rules require avoiding even the appearance of unethical conduct. Verified unethical conduct at the legal clinic site may result in removal from the clinic and an “F” in this course. | |||||||||
| C. Other Policies: | |||||||||
| Timeliness: Due dates are crucially important in any law office. Missing a due date can cause disastrous consequences for clients. An equal level of professionalism will be expected regarding seminar work. Late papers or oral presentations will not be accepted without specific approval from the instructor. | |||||||||