Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus

Course Name: PAR 101 Paralegal 101
Location: Online
Instructor: Josephine Sommer
Email: XXXXX@cmich.edu
Work Phone: (123) 456-7890
Prequisites: None

Course Description:

The course is an introduction to the Paralegal degree program. The course introduces
the students to basic legal information: general law, legal research, litigation, criminal
law and other types of law. Students will gain knowledge of legal terminology by
posting terms and definitions on the class blog page. This course will introduce students
to various legal terms, laws and trial activities.

Course Objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:
Identify and define legal terminology
Identify the structure of the American legal system; and
Identify different types of law and trial activities.

Resource Requirements:

Textbook Required: Koreselman Newman, Virginia, Certified Paralegal Review Manual
(3rd ed., Delmar 2011) ISBN: 13-978-1-4180-3197-8

Access and Software: All students are required to have a computer with access to the
internet and loaded with appropriate Internet access software as well as MS-Office
(Word) or a compatible package. Students are also required to access their school
email account and the Blackboard.

Students will respond to instructors email invitation to join the class wiki page.



Introduction to the Textbook:

Koreselman Newman, Virginia, Certified Paralegal Review Manual (3rd ed., Delmar
2011)

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1. Communications
Chapter 2. Human Relations and Interviewing Techniques
Chapter 3 Ethics
Chapter 4. Judgment and Analytical Ability
**Chapter 5. Legal Research
**Chapter 6. Legal Terminology
**Chapter 7. General Law
**Chapter 8. Administrative Law
**Chapter 9. Bankruptcy Law
**Chapter 10. Business Organizations
**Chapter 11. Contract Law
**Chapter 12. Criminal Law
Chapter 13. Estate Planning and Probate
Chapter 14. Family Law
**Chapter 15. Litigation
Chapter 16. Real Estate Law
Self-Test Answer Key
Bibliography
Index

**These chapters will be used for this class.

Student Learner Responsibilities Page:

Student Expectations
Students should expect to spend several hours online each week to readings and
assignments. Self-motivation and discipline in managing your time are key to your
success in this online course.

1. Students are expected to check their email on a daily basis.
2. Students are expected to submit their assignments on time by the due date.
3. Students are expected to participate in discussions and chat sessions.

Communications
Discussion boards and email are the primary communications channels in this online
course, be sure to use the proper communications netiquette.

Respect others. Be professional and talk to others with respect.

Unprofessional communication will be removed and you will not receive credit for that
assignment.

Academic Dishonesty
Student must submit their own work and not the work of others. Plagiarism, cheating or
other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited and could be cause for elimination
from the course. The Academic Dishonesty policy can be found at
https://bulletins.cmich.edu.

Instructor Information

Josephine Sommer has been a paralegal for over twenty-five years, and the last
five has been teaching in a classroom environment. She recently began
teaching the online course. Experienced in criminal and civil law, she brings the
real world application of the law to students striving to be a paralegal.


Online Office Hours

Availability
I check my email daily and will respond to course related questions within 24 hours. If I
find the questions relevant and important for others to know, I will respond to the entire
classroom. If you have an emergency, and need to contact me immediately, email is
the best way to reach me.

Grading Policy and Scale

Grading Policy
Legal Terms and Definitions 30 pts
Final Exam 70 pts

Grading Scale
A = 90% or above
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69%
Failing 59% or below


Number of Lessons

1. General Law - The student will be able to identify the definition of law,
historical background, philosophies, classifications, and sources of law.
2. Legal Research - The student will be able to identify the structure of
government, primary and secondary sources of law, and research methods.
3. Types of Laws - The student will identify the type of law and functional
application.
4. Criminal Law - The student will identify jurisdictions, sources, theories of
punishment, classifications, and elements of a crime.
5. Litigation - The student will identify each part of the litigation process.

6. Final Exam: A final evaluation will be given at the end of the course covering
general law, criminal law, other types of laws, legal research, litigation and
legal terms and definitions.

Course Outline

Week Topic Readings Assignments
1 General Law Ch 7, Reading,
Review
Slides, Watch
Video & 3
Legal Terms
& Definitions
2 Legal Research Ch 5 Reading,
Review
Slides, Watch
Video, & 3
Legal Terms
& Definitions
3 Types of Laws Ch 8, pp. 397 407
Ch 9, pp 445 461
Ch 10 pp. 513 -526
Ch 11 pp. 575 - 588
Readings,
Review
Slides, Watch
Video, & 3
Legal Terms
with
Definitions
4 Criminal Law Ch 12, 637 - 699 Reading,
Review
Slides, Watch
Video, & 3
Legal Terms
with
Definitions
5 Litigation Ch 15, 827 - 880 Readings,
Review
Slides, Watch
Video, & 3
Legal Terms
with
Definitions
8 Final Exam None Final Exam


Attendance Requirements:

Attendance and Participation
It is very important for students to attend and participate even in an online format.
Students will be responsible for information presented in the course. Students are also
expected to read the assigned readings. This course involves multiple interactions with
your peers in an online format. Thus, you will be expected to login and participate in the
course on a frequent basis. The instructor reserves the right to raise or lower your
grade.