PLA-PARALEGAL/LEGAL ASSISTANT/LEGAL ADMINISTRATION
 

PLA 2013          Survey of American Law               3

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overview of contract law, and law related to business entities such as corporations, partnerships, and sole proprietorships.

PLA 3471          Employment Law           3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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, Part 1. Covers the beginning of the litigation process: Case intake through Discovery. Credit may not be received in both PLA 4203 and PLA 4201.

PLA 4223          Civil Litigation II          3

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

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

In-depth study of the fundamental principles of negligence, intentional torts, strict liability, product liability and vicarious liability.

PLA 4304          Criminal Law              3

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

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

Current trends, developments, law and remedies as they relate to today’s consumer, including debtor/creditor rights.

PLA 4732          Law Office Computer Applications       3

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

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

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.

PLA 4941          Legal Studies Internship       1-3

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.