PLA 2013 Survey of American Law . . . . . 3(F,S)
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) Credit may not be earned in both PLA 2057 and PLA 2013.

PLA 2948 Service Learning Field Study I . . . . . 1-3(F,S,SS)
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 is required.

PLA 3003 The Paralegal and the Legal Profession . . . . . 3(F,S)
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 3020 Law and Society . . . . . 3(F,S,SS)
Exploration of how the legal system interacts with social issues, such as the death penalty, domestic violence, slavery, abortion, and life-style choice. Credit may not be earned in both PLA 3691 and PLA 3020.

PLA 3103 Legal Research and Writing . . . . . 3(F,SS)
Pre/Corequisite: PLA 3003.
Introduces the student to the sources, tools and techniques of legal research and writing including, but not limited to, primary and secondary sources covering judicial, legislative and executive branches.

PLA 3240 Alternative Dispute Resolution . . . . . 3(S)
Introduces students to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as a means of peacefully communicating with another person regarding a conflict and working together to find a solution in an appropriate manner. Eight basic methods of ADR, and several hybrids, will be explained in detail. In addition, students will explore seven arenas where disputes often arise and how one or more methods of ADR apply. Students will explore the concept of peer mediation and the effects on violent acts in middle and high schools. Finally, students will discuss the role of the paralegal in ADR. Presents ADR against the backdrop of traditional litigation, which offers a more formal and generally, more costly method of resolving disputes. Nevertheless, the course avoids an evangelistic endorsement of ADR, and instead asks students to evaluate disputes and disputants of as to select the most appropriate method for resolving a matter. Throughout, civil justice is viewed as a system that enables disputants to resolve their dispute using less direct, more socially acceptable alternatives then self-help, whether the alternative chosen is trial or ADR.

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

PLA 3471 Employment Law . . . . . 3(CALL DEPT)
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 3600 Probate and Estate Planning . . . . . 3(F)
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. Credit may not be earned in both PLA 3603 and PLA 3600.

PLA 3610 Real Estate Law . . . . . 3(S,SS)
Basic law 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. Credit may not be earned in both PLA 3504 and PLA 3610.

PLA 3800 Domestic Law . . . . . 3(CALL DEPT)
Law of family relations including marriage, divorce, support, adoption and annulment. Credit may not be earned in both PLA 3803 and PLA 3800.

PLA 3948 Service Learning Field Study II . . . . . 1-3(F,S,SS)
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 is required.

PLA 3949 Cooperative Education . . . . . 1-2(S)
Terms of 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 4025 Sex Discrimination Law . . . . . 3(CALL DEPT)
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. Credit may not be earned in both PLA 4693 and PLA 4025.

PLA 4155 Advanced Legal Research and Writing . . . . . 3(F,S)
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 3103 and permission of instructor is required. (Gordon Rule Course: Writing) Credit may not be earned in both PLA 4111 and PLA 4155.

PLA 4201 Litigation . . . . . 3(F,S)
Prerequisite: PLA 4263.
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 summarizing case details for trial. Credit may not be earned in both PLA 4203 and PLA 4201.

PLA 4263 Evidence . . . . . 3(F,S,SS)
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(F,S)
In-depth study of the fundamental principles of negligence, intentional torts, strict liability, product liability and vicarious liability.

PLA 4303 Criminal Law . . . . . 3(F,S)
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(CALL DEPT)
Current trends, developments, law and remedies as they relate to today's consumer, including debtor/creditor rights.

PLA 4732 Law Office Computer Applications . . . . . 3(CALL DEPT)
Prerequisite: CGS 2570.
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 is required.

PLA 4763 Law Office Management . . . . . 3(S)
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(F,S,SS)
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.