Austin Community College

FY 2008 Course Descriptions

Paralegal

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LGLA 1303 LEGAL RESEARCH (3-3-0). This course provides a working knowledge of the fundamentals of effective legal research. Topics include law library techniques, computer assisted legal research, briefs, and legal memoranda. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1351. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 1305 LEGAL WRITING (3-3-0). This course provides a working knowledge of the fundamentals of effective legal writing. Topics include briefs, legal memoranda, case and fact analysis, citation forms, and legal writing styles. Skills: E Prerequisites: ENGL 1301 or equivalent. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 1311 INTRODUCTION TO LAW (3-3-0). This course provides an overview of the law and the legal system. Topics include legal concepts, procedures, terminology and current issues in law. Skills: E Prerequisites: Must be taken prior to, or contemporaneously with, LGLA 1313. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 1313 INTRODUCTION TO PARALEGAL STUDIES (3-3-0). This course provides an overview of the paralegal profession including ethical obligations, regulation, professional trends and issues, and the paralegal's role in assisting the delivery of legal services. Skills: E Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree, LGLA 1311 (may be taken concurrently) or one year law office experience. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 1317 LAW OFFICE TECHNOLOGY (3-3-0). This course introduces computer technology and its applications within the law office. Topics include the use of computer technology in the delivery of legal services with particular emphasis on the paralegal's role. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1313. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 1341 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW (3-3-0). This course presents fundamental concepts of administrative law and procedure in governmental agencies at all levels with emphasis on the paralegal's role in the administrative process. Topics include creation of governmental agencies, operation, rule making, and adjudication. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1351. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 1343 BANKRUPTCY (3-3-0). This course presents fundamental concepts of bankruptcy law and procedure with emphasis on the paralegal's role. Topics include individual and business liquidation and reorganization. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1351. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 1345 CIVIL LITIGATION (3-3-0). This course presents fundamental concepts and procedures of civil litigation with emphasis on the paralegal's role. Topics include pretrial, trial, and post trial phases of litigation. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1313. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 1349 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (3-3-0). This course provides an overview of the U.S. Constitution and its articles, amendments, and judicial interpretations. Topics include separation of powers, checks and balances, governmental structures and process, and individual rights in relation to government. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1351. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 1351 CONTRACTS (3-3-0). This course presents fundamental concepts of issue identification and contract law with emphasis on the paralegal's role. Topics include business organizations, case briefing, and formation, performance, and enforcement of contracts under the common law and the Uniform Commercial Code. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1313 must be taken prior to or concurrently. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 1353 WILLS, TRUSTS AND PROBATE ADMINISTRATION (3-3-0). This course presents fundamental concepts of the law of wills, trusts, and probate administration with emphasis on the paralegal's role. Offered spring semester. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1351. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 1355 FAMILY LAW (3-3-0). This course presents fundamental concepts of family law with emphasis on the paralegal's role. Topics include formal and informal marriages, divorce, annulment, marital property, and the parent-child relationship. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1351. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 1391 SPECIAL TOPICS IN LEGAL ASSISTANT/PARALEGAL (3-3-0). Topics address recently identified current events, skills, knowledge, and/or attitudes and behaviors pertinent to the technology or occupation and relevant to the professional development of the student. Learning outcomes/objectives are determined by local occupational need and business and industry trends. Skills: E ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 2303 TORTS AND PERSONAL INJURY LAW (3-3-0). This course presents fundamental concepts of tort law with emphasis on the paralegal's role. Topics include intentional torts, negligence, and strict liability. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1351. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 2307 LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT (3-3-0). This course presents the fundamentals of law office management and organization including basic principles and structure of management, administrative and substantive systems in the law office, and law practice technology. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1351. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 2309 REAL PROPERTY (3-3-0). This course presents fundamental concepts of real property law with emphasis on the paralegal's role. Topics include the nature of real property, rights and duties of ownership, land use, voluntary and involuntary conveyances, and the recording of and searching for real estate documents. Offered fall semester. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1351. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 2313 CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE (3-3-0). This course introduces the criminal justice system including procedures from arrest to final disposition, principles of federal and state law, and the preparation of pleadings and motions. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1351. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 2323 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW (3-3-0). A course designed to prepare the paralegal student to assist in the preparation and filing of patents, copyrights, and trademarks. Skills: R ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 2331 ADVANCED LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING (3-3-0). This course builds upon skills acquired in prior legal research and writing courses including computerized research techniques and preparation of complex legal documents such as briefs, legal office memoranda, and citation forms. Offered spring semester. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1303 and LGLA 1305. LGLA 1305 is not required in the Advanced Technical Certificate Program. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 2333 ADVANCED LEGAL DOCUMENT PREPARATION (3-3-0). Preparation of legal documents based on hypothetical fact situations drawn from various areas including real estate, family law, contracts, litigation, and business organizations. Offered fall semester. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1345, LGLA 2341, LGLA 1355, and LGLA 1353. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 2335 ADVANCED CIVIL LITIGATION (3-3-0). This course provides opportunities to implement advanced civil litigation techniques and builds upon skills acquired in prior civil litigation courses. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1345 and LGLA 2341. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 2337 MEDIATION (3-3-0). This course provides an introduction to alternative dispute resolution with emphasis on mediation. Topics include differences between mediation and arbitration, the process of mediation, and dispute resolution techniques. Skills: E Prerequisites: LGLA 1345. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 2341 EVIDENCE (3-3-0). Gathering evidence, fashioning evidentiary arguments and preparing evidence for trial. Emphasizes the practical applications of the rules of evidence. Skills: R Prerequisites: LGLA 1313. ( ) Course Type: W

LGLA 2388 INTERNSHIP - LEGAL ASSISTANT/PARALEGAL (3-0-18). An experience external to the college for an advanced student involving a written agreement between the College and an employing law office or legal agency. Mentored and supervised by a workplace employee, the student achieves objectives that are developed and documented by the college and that are directly related to specific occupational outcomes while employed in the legal environment at least 20 hours per week. This may be a paid or unpaid experience. This course may be repeated if topics and learning outcomes vary. Insurance: $3.50Skills: I ( ) Course Type: W

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Course Descriptions as of January 12, 2010 02:30am
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