UNIVERSIDAD DE ESPECIALIDADES ESPÍRITU SANTO
FACULTAD DE ESTUDIOS INTERNACIONALES
SYLLABUS
FOR DAC 11 VER 17 07 07
COURSE: Legal English I
SCHEDULE: 20h50 – 22h10
FACULTY: Maritza Reynoso
BIMESTER: Winter
ACADEMIC UNITS/CRÉDITS: 3 UEES (SNCC 4.8) DAYS Mon-Thurs
PRE REQUISITES: None
ROOM: A-115
CONTACT HOURS: 48
NON-CONTACT
96
HOURS
1.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This bilingual course introduces students to the world of legal English or
“legalese”. It explores the cultural and linguistic differences between the
common law and the civil/Napoleon code systems as they pose particular
challenges for translators, interpreters, attorneys, journalists & businessmen.
Students develop and enhance their legal language skills (English and Spanish)
with actual legal documents from both judiciary systems presented in class for
reading comprehension and analysis. By comparing and contrasting the
meanings of the legal concepts in both systems, students learn to use the
appropriate terminology. Students learn about different kinds of “false
cognates” –differences (technical, non-linguistic) stemming from definition of
terms by Ecuadorian law and common law systems (for example, homicide,
manslaughter) as well as differences (cultural, linguistic) in terms of
connotations (for example, crime, criminal).
This course focuses on civil matters. Special readings complement research and
glossary-building.
2.
OBJECTIVES
Note: This particular bimester, this course is offered to law students.
a. GENERAL
To analyze a legal document and to create glossaries.
To develop and enhance students’ legal English/Spanish language skills
(legalese), passive and active in both languages.
To apply the appropriate legal terminology in translation of documents
both into English and into Spanish -- that is, when confronted with a legal
text, to choose the equivalent terms in transferring a message from one
source language/system into another (target) language/system.
b. SPECIFIC
To research and develop new legal expressions
To understand the meaning of a legal document
To compare and contrast the legal systems
To prepare legal documents
To understand and apply Latin expressions used in legal offices
To discuss legal issues based on readings
3. COURSE CONTENT OUTLINE
DATES &
SESSIONS
Session 1
Jan. 14
SPECIFIC
COMPETENCIES
Research legal
documents. Read /
analyze document.
CONTENTS
- Lecture:
The Nature of the
legal Profession
- Legal Vocabulary
NON CONTACT
HOURS
Prepare a list of
tasks and duties a
paralegal is
supposed to do in
a law firm. 3
hours.
ASSESSMENT

.
Start Reading
Gideon Trumpet
pages 1 to 117
Session 2
Jan. 15
Prepare comparative
charts, build glossary
Session 3
Jan.16
Session 4
Jan.17
Session 5
Jan. 21
Analyze and discuss
legal issues/applied
terminology
Session 8
Jan. 24
Not. Public, duties and
responsibilities. NonCourt
documents:
Affidavit, Power of
Attorney,
Acknowledgments
Collection of the Chart
of Notary Public and
Non Court Documents.
Class Presentation.
Reading Control.Comments on the book,
analysis of terminology.
The US
CONSTITUTION. The US
Constitution as a
Compact
Analysis of the first 7
articles.
Session 6
Jan. 22
Session 7
Jan. 23
Oral Practice, students
will
read
their
homework.
Introduction to the Law
of Notaries
Compare
contrast
systems
and Statutory and Case Law.
legal
Difference between
Federal/State Statutory
Case Law
Analysis of the Research
work, Reading Control
10 hours
Download
from Presentation
the www the law
of Notary Public
and prepare a
Chart comparing
main tasks and
duties of a NY
N.P. and those of
an
Ecuadorian
Notary Public. 6
hours
Prepare:
Chart presentation
Affidavit, Power
of
Attorney,
Durable Power of
Attorney 3 hours

Select terminology
for the glossary
of terms.
3 hours
Research/Download
from Website the
US Constitution and
read the first 7
articles. Download
Bill of Rights.
6 hours
In class
discussion of
Gideon Trumpet
Oral quiz on
terminology.
Quiz on US
Constitution
Read:
Gideon
Trumpet pages
118 to 160 5
hours. Prepare
work on The
Civil System in
Session 9
Jan.29
*The US Legal System:
Common Law, Civil Law
and Equity
Session 10
Jan. 30
Collection of research
work, the civil system
in Ecuador
Civil Litigation: The
Complaint, Service of
Process, etc.
Session
11
Jan. 31
Compare and contrast
legal systems
Reading Control
Session 12
Feb. 6
Session 13
Feb. 7
Session 14
Feb.11
Session 15
Feb. 12
Session 16
Feb. 13
Civil Litigation: Part II,
Discovery. Compare it
with legal system in
Ecuador
Compare and contrast
legal systems
Review of Civil
Litigation I and II
The Writ of Habeas
Corpus. Reading
control
Review for the exam
Ecuador 4 hours
Research
Group
work: Ecuadorian
legal system 3
hours
Research: Glossary
3 hours
Glossary of terms,
select terms.
3 hours
Read from 161 to
238
Gideon
Trumpet
Research: origin of
Writs,
Mention
and explain 5
different
writs
and its use in the
legal practice
6 hours
End
of
Gideon
Trumpet
finish
the Book
Study
for
the
Midterm Exam
Midterm Exam
Analyze documents,
Vocabulary
building
(Family Law)
Session 17
Feb. 14
Success with legal
words, Vocabulary
practice
Introduction to Family
Matters
Vocabulary
Family Matters:
Preparation of a Marital
Settlement Agreement
Session 18
Feb. 18
Read Buffalo Creek
Disaster pages 1
to 145 12 hours
Work on different
family
Matter
Cases 3 hours


Session 19
Feb. 19
Session 20
Feb.20
Discussion and
Presentation. Marital
Settlement Agreement
Collection of Homework
of Family Matters
Apply specialized
terminology.
Prepare
legal
documents
Session 21
Feb.21
Session 22
Feb. 25
Discuss
issues
legal
Probate Proceedings:
Guardianships and
Conservatorships,
Letters
Reading control.
Class discussion
Vocabulary Exercises
Contracts. Offer and
Acceptances.Unilateral,
Bilateral, Quasi
contracts
Research
actual
documents
3 hours
Research
Probate
Proceedings
3 hours
Quiz on Readings
and Research


In-class
discussion

Oral quiz on
writs, civil
litigation

MIDTERM
EXAM


Reading:
content quiz


Check
homework
content
in
class,
discussion,
q/a
In
class
discussion
about Family
Matters
In
Class
Presentation
s
Prepare a Will.
Research
different
types of wills 2
hours
Buffalo Creek.- read
146 to 243 12
hours

Prepare a Contract
3 hrs
Group Discussion

Session 23
Feb 26
Session 24
Feb 27
Session 25
March 3
Contracts analysis of
some cases.
Read: pages 244 to
307
Review/recap for exam
FINAL EXAM
Reading Control
Oral quiz

Session 26
FINAL EXAM – on
readings
March 4
4. METHODOLOGY
Professor will introduce new topics and will explain contents of each Unit..
Assessment: we will have brainstorming sessions in class to check up on student
progress and compliance with readings.
Students are expected to research and prepare for class.
This course is aimed at students of law and we will assess students level of prior
knowledge of legal concepts.
Discussions in class are important and will offer the context (language, culture,
legal systems, history of law) necessary for you to understand the importance
and to develop good diction skills. Thus, you will learn to choose and apply the
appropriate terms.
Students will be assigned research topics and will make presentations in class
either individually or in groups.
The class starts by reviewing previous class and checking up on the readings.
Students answer questions about the topics discussed in previous class, must give
examples and professional opinions. In-class participation and practice consists
of comparing Ecuadorian Legal System and the US Common Law with students
finding the correct terminology, performing written exercises using legal words.
Examples of homework assigned are:
a) Download information from Internet the Law of Notary of the State of New
York and preparing chart of the role of a Notary Public in the State of New York
and compare it to the role of an Ecuadorian Notary Public.
b) Preparation of specific documents, i. e. Affidavit, Power of Attorney, Marital
Agreement) or producing a document incorporating the new terms introduced
and discussed in class.
c) Research the origin of legal instruments (i.e. writs) or legal definitions (i.e.
types of marriage, or issues such as grounds for divorce, annulment and so on.
d) Glossary- building (bilingual) on topics at hand.
Attendance Policy:
Strict attendance policy: because this is a “materia dirigida”, 2 tardies count as
1 absence. NOTE: Only 5 absences allowed. No cell phones in class, no food or
drinks. No text-messaging.
5. ASSESSMENT
Final Grade
The progress will be evaluated as follows:
Class participation – contribution: 100 points (50%)
Midterm Exam: 100 points (25%)
Final Exam: 100 points (25%)
Final Exam will be structured in two parts: one for theory, vocabulary, class
material and one for readings.
NOTE: Attendance is required. Your contribution is an important part of the
learning experience gained by each of your peers. Absence means you are taking
away from the class dynamic and evolving culture of the class. Unexcused
absences will seriously hurt the “Class participation – contribution” portion of
your grade.
Class participation includes homework, group work, research, readings.
Class Participation 50% of the grade. Discussions in class will include readings.
Class Participation means: full attendance, group work, in class presentations
and discussions, homework, and readings.
6. BIBLIOGRAPHY
6.1 REQUIRED
Law 101, Brian A. Roche, Sphinx Publishing
6.2 COMPLEMENTARY
The Glannon Guide to Civil Procedure, Joseph W. Glannon, Aspen
Publishers
You and the Law
Legal Office Procedures
Paralegal Distance Course
How to form your own LLC, Nolo Collection
6.3 SUPPLEMENTARY READING
Copies and materials are provided by teacher.
6.4 WEBLIOGRAPHY:
www.lectlaw.com
www. newyorknotaries.com
7. FACULTY INFORMATION
NAME:
Abg. Maritza Reynoso Wright
ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS- UNDERGRAD:
Attorney at Law admitted to practice in the Ecuadorian Courts of Justice
Notary Public, State of New York
GRADUATE:
Especialista en Derecho Empresarial
Tesina: Derecho Ambiental
UTPL--Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja
E – mail: mreynoso@gye.satnet.net
Prepared by: Maritza Reynoso de Wright
Date: January, 2007
Reviewed by: Monica Reynoso, Dean
Date: