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 lifestyle 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. Permission is required. Credit may not be earned in both PLA 3103 and PLA 4103

PLA 3240     Alternative Dispute Resolution . . . . . 3(SS)
Introduces students to different alternative dispute resolutions (ADR) methods 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. Presents ADR against the backdrop of traditional litigation, which offers a more formal and, generally more costly, method of resolving disputes. Asks students to evaluate disputes and disputants and to select the most appropriate method for resolving a matter

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

PLA 3471     Employment Law . . . . . 3(S)
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. Focus of major project is preparation of documents necessary for a residential real-estate transaction. Credit may not be earned in both PLA 3504 and PLA 3610

PLA 3800    Family Law . . . . . 3(S)
Law of family relations including marriage, divorce, support, property division, custody, paternity, 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(F,S,SS)
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(F)
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,SS)
Prerequisite: PLA 3103 (grade of “C” or better)

Concentrated use and application of skills learned in PLA 3103 emphasizing writing exercises. The class concentrates on written assignments, emphasizing grammar, content, and related written communication skills. Permission is required. (Gordon Rule Course: Wrtg). Credit may not be earned in both PLA 4111 and PLA 4155

PLA 4201    Civil Litigation I . . . . . 3(F)
Prerequisite: PLA 4263
Common types of lawsuits 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, Part 1. Covers the beginning of the litigation process: Case intake through Discovery. Credit may not be earned in both PLA 4203 and PLA 4201

PLA 4223    Civil Litigation II . . . . . 3(S)
Prerequisite: PLA 4201
Common types of law suits and procedures involved in the preparation, litigation and appeal of cases including preparation for and the taking of deposition, and summarizing case details for trial and appeal. Covers the remainder of the litigation process: trial, appeal, and post judgment proceedings

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 4304     Criminal Law . . . . . 3(F,S)
Examination of the elements of major substantive crimes, including homicide, burglary, arson, offenses against the person and offenses against property. The concepts of criminal responsibility, parties to crime, causation and special legal defenses are also studied

PLA 4308     Criminal Procedure . . . . . 3(F,S)
The study of criminal procedure is a fascinating one which involves an examination of the power of the government to enforce the criminal law versus the right of individuals to be free from government intrusions, as guaranteed by the Constitution. Will help students develop critical analysis skills by examining the constitutional framework for the enforcement of criminal law. After examining the constitutional provisions that effect and affect criminal procedure, we will then examine these principles in action by focusing on police practices, including searches, seizures, interrogations, identification procedures, and arrests. Finally, we will study the criminal court process from the charging decision through the appeals process

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

PLA 4732    Law Office Computer Applications . . . . . 3(S)
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(F)
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 4880     Constitutional Law for the Paralegal . . . . . 3(F,S)
Seeks an integration of the study of the Constitution with the pragmatics of the practice of law for the paralegal. Introduces the basic concepts of the Constitution in the light of how Constitutional issues arise in the modern practice of law and how to prepare to meet these arguments. Covers Supreme Court Jurisdiction, how to read Supreme Court cases, separation of powers, Federalism, Commerce Clause, Due Process cases, First Amendment, Privacy, and Equal Production. Will be focusing on issues confronted in modern courts and law offices