PLA-PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTANT/LEGAL ADMINISTRATION

PLA 2057 Survey of American Law . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Study of American law, focusing on why there are laws, as well as who makes and enforces the laws. Covers what is commonly known as "everyday law," that is, how law affects us in our daily lives. (General Studies Course: SS/SOC)

PLA 2948 Service Learning Field Study I . . . . . 1-3(VARIABLE)
Placement in community agency or other social organizational setting related to field of study. Supervision by faculty and agency. Students and faculty "customize" courses to fit a full range of services that are available in the setting. Student must be able to draw correlation between the discipline and field study. Journal and reflective experience paper are required. With the agreement of the student's faculty sponsor, a minimum of 4-6 hours per week must be done at the field site per semester hour of credit. Permission of instructor is required.

PLA 3XX1 Employment Law . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Designed for students interested in the subject of employment discrimination from many approaches: as a practitioner in the legal field, as an employer, as an advisor to employers, as an employee, or as an advisor to employees. The focus will be on the basic laws of employment discrimination, the means and methods of seeking the protections of those laws, and the means and methods of employers assuring compliance with the laws.

PLA 3XX2 The Paralegal and the Legal Profession . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
The growing importance of the team approach to legal representation and how attorneys, paralegals, and staff work to meet the needs of clients is introduced, along with legal concepts and procedures, working environments, and ethical considerations.

PLA 3429 Contracts and Business Entities . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Overview of contract law, and law related to business entities such as corporations, partnership, and sole proprietorships.

PLA 3504 Real Estate Law . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Basic laws relating to the common types of real estate transactions and conveyances; deeds, contracts and leases will be studied with emphasis on how they are constructed.

PLA 3603 Probate and Estate Planning . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Concentrated study of probate practices and procedures including the tax aspects of planning and settling an estate, drafting wills and preparing the creation of guardianships and trusts.

PLA 3691 Law and Society . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Exploration of how the legal system interacts with social issues, such as the death penalty, domestic violence, slavery, abortion, and lifestyle choice.

PLA 3803 Domestic Law . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Law of family relations including marriage, divorce, support, adoption and annulment.

PLA 3948 Service Learning Field Study II . . . . . 1-3(VARIABLE)
Placement in community agency or other social organizational setting related to field of study. Supervision by faculty and agency. Students and faculty "customize" courses to fit a full range of services that are available in the setting. Student must be able to draw correlation between the discipline and field study. Journal and reflective experience paper are required. With the agreement of the student's faculty sponsor, a minimum of 4-6 hours per week must be done at the field site per semester hour of credit. Permission of instructor is required.

PLA 3949 Cooperative Education . . . . . 1-2(VARIABLE)
Alternating full-time or consecutive parallel terms of practical experience in the intended field. Reinforcing academic preparation, confirming educational and career goals, personal and professional development, early start in career, earnings toward self-support, and improved employability. (See program description under Cooperative Education). Graded on satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis only. Permission of director of Cooperative Education is required.

PLA 4XX1 Law Office Computer Applications . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
The use of computer technology in the practice of law such as software applications, CD-ROM, and Internet sites available to legal professionals. Designed to assist students in developing analytical and technical skills so as to enable them to logically approach the application of computer technology to the field of law. Permission of instructor is required. Prerequisite: CGS 2570.

PLA 4103 Legal Research and Writing . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Introduces the student to the sources, tools and techniques of legal research and writing. Permission of instructor is required.

PLA 4111 Advanced Legal Research and Writing . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Concentrated use and application of skills learned in PLA 4103 emphasizing writing exercises. The class concentrates on written assignments, emphasizing grammar, content, and related written communication skills. A grade of "C" or better in PLA 4103 and permission of instructor is required. (Gordon Rule Course: Wrtg)

PLA 4203 Litigation . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Common types of law suits and procedures involved in the preparation, litigation and appeal of cases including preparation for and the taking of depositions, preparing interrogatories and answers and and summarizing case details for trial.

PLA 4263 Evidence . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Rules of evidence, including relevancy, hearsay, competency of witnesses and burdens of proof. The Federal Rules of Evidence are emphasized.

PLA 4273 Tort Law . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
In-depth study of the fundamental principles of negligence, intentional torts, strict liability, product liability and vicarious liability.

PLA 4303 Criminal Law . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Examination of the substantive crimes-homicide and other offenses against the person, burglary, arson and offenses against property. The concepts of responsibility, causation and special defenses are also studied.

PLA 4453 Consumer Rights . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Current trends, developments, law and remedies as they relate to today's consumer, including debtor/creditor rights.

PLA 4693 Sex Discrimination Law . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Examines the traditional role of women and men, historically and in the constitutional context, and the current legal status of men and women in specific areas such as employment, family law, sports, education and criminal law.

PLA 4763 Law Office Management . . . . . 3(3,0,0)
Intricacies of law office organization and management, including issues relating to hiring, firing, evaluating job applications and resumes, personnel policies, and basic accounting skills.

PLA 4941 Legal Studies Internship . . . . . 1-3(VARIABLE)
Individual field experience in law related offices including private attorneys, public agencies, and alternative dispute resolution firms. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis only. Permission is required.