Ivy Tech Community College - Southwest
IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF INDIANA
COURSE OUTLINE
AND SYLLABUS
COURSE TITLE: Introduction to Paralegal Studies
COURSE NUMBER: PARA 101
PREREQUISITES: Demonstrated competency through appropriate assessment or earning a
grade of “C” or better in ENGL 025 Introduction to College Writing II or ENGL 093
Introduction to College Writing and ENGL 032 Reading Strategies for College II or ENGL 083
Reading Strategies for College
SCHOOL: Public and Social Services
PROGRAM: Paralegal Studies
CREDIT HOURS: 3
CONTACT HOURS: Lecture: 3
CATALOG DESCRIPTION: Introduction to Paralegal Studies is a survey of the American legal
system, the substantive and procedural law of Indiana, and the role of the paralegal in the legal
profession. Topics include professional ethics, trial and appellate courts, civil and criminal
procedure, constitutional law, and basic legal analysis. This entry-level course is a prerequisite
for all other paralegal courses in the program.
MAJOR COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Upon successful completion of this course the
student will be expected to:
1.
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9.
10.
Discuss the relationship between trial and appellate courts and how precedent, statutory
construction, and policy arguments are used in deciding cases and how this differs in civil
law systems around the world.
Explain jurisdiction and due process.
Describe purpose of a variety of legal pleadings and motions used in both civil and
criminal cases.
Distinguish a crime and a non-criminal (civil) offense.
Explain what a paralegal’s relationship is to attorneys, the courts, clients, and the public.
Identify issues and solutions to difficulties that may arise when providing services to
foreign or otherwise diverse clients.
Describe the types of tasks a paralegal performs and the work ethic required to perform
such tasks.
Describe the Indiana rules of professional conduct apply to paralegals and how they
apply to paralegals.
Demonstrate introductory legal research principles, including finding case law, statutes,
and Shepardizing.
Demonstrate introductory legal writing principles, including case briefs and legal
memoranda.
Discuss four sources of law, including case law, statutes, constitutions, and
administrative rules and regulations.
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Ivy Tech Community College - Southwest
11.
Discuss the differences between the federal and state government, including the
relationship between the three branches of government.
COURSE CONTENT: Topical areas of study include Basic legal analysis and research
Case law, statutory law, administrative law, and constitutional law
Due process
Federal and state court jurisdiction
Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct
Professionals in the legal community
Trial and appellate courts
Career opportunities
ADA STATEMENT:
Ivy Tech Community College seeks to provide effective services and accommodations
for qualified individuals with documented disabilities. If you need an accommodation
because of a documented disability, you are required to register with Disability Support
Services (Cyndi Cates, 812-429-1386) at the beginning of the semester. If you will
require assistance during an emergency evacuation, notify your instructor immediately.
Look for evacuation procedures posted in your classrooms.
ACADEMIC HONESTY STATEMENT:
The College is committed to academic integrity in all its practices. The faculty value
intellectual integrity and a high standard of academic conduct. Activities that violate
academic integrity undermine the quality and diminish the value of educational
achievement.
Cheating on papers, tests or other academic works is a violation of College rules. No
student shall engage in behavior that, in the judgment of the instructor of the class, may
be construed as cheating. This may include, but is not limited to, plagiarism or other
forms of academic dishonesty such as the acquisition without permission of tests or other
academic materials and/or distribution of these materials and other academic work. This
includes students who aid and abet as well as those who attempt such behavior.
http://www.ivytech.edu/shared/shared_corepository/CodeOfStudentRightsResponsibilitiesFinal.pdf
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT:
Students shall adhere to the laws governing the use of copyrighted materials. They must
insure that their activities comply with fair use and in no way infringe on the copyright or
other proprietary rights of others and that the materials used and developed at Ivy Tech
Community College contain nothing unlawful, unethical, or libelous, and do not
constitute any violation of any right of privacy.
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Ivy Tech Community College - Southwest
HOW TO ACCESS THE IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE LIBRARY
The Ivy Tech Library is available to students’ on- and off-campus, offering full text
journals and books and other resources essential for course assignments. Go to
http://www.ivytech.edu/library/evansville/
METHODS OF INSTRUCTIONAL DELIVERY:
Lecture, discussion, speakers, videos, and service learning.
Students will be required to complete 10 hours of service learning with one of following
organizations. (include list of approved sites that cater to a diverse client base)
REQUIRED MATERIALS, SUPPLIES and TEXT(S):
TITLE: Paralegal Today: The Legal Team at Work
AUTHOR: Roger LeRoy & Mary Meinzinger
EDITION: 6th
PUBLISHER: Delmar, Cengage
ISBN: 1-1335-9107-8
OTHER MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
Pencils, pens, notebook, access to computer, CALI and Lexis Ids and passwords
METHODS OF EVALUATION:
Assignment Point Allocation
DIGITAL TOOLS:
Students will be required to use Blackboard, email, and Campus Connect. Familiarity
with and use of these programs is vital for success. Students will also be required to use
various Internet sites for assignments and research.
INAPPROPRIATE USE OF COLLEGE COMPUTERS:
Theft or other abuse of computer time is against college rules, which include but are not
limited to:
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unauthorized entry into a file, to use, read, or change the contents or for any other
purpose
unauthorized transfer of a file
unauthorized use of another user's identification and password
use of computing facilities to interfere with the work of another student, faculty
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Ivy Tech Community College - Southwest
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member or college official
use of computing facilities to send, receive, or view obscene or abusive messages
use of computing facilities to interfere with normal operation of the college
computing system
use of computing facilities for student's personal benefit
unauthorized use of college owned computer resources to prepare or print work
for commercial purposes
GRADING SCALE:
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
A
B
C
D
MAKE-UP POLICY:
All assignments are due on the due date by the end of class time. Late assignments will
not be accepted. Exceptions to this policy may be made at the instructor’s discretion, on a
case by case basis.
ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Students are expected to attend and participate in all class sessions. If a student misses a
class, it is that student’s responsibility to contact a classmate to get notes and
assignments. The last date to withdraw is ().
CELLULAR PHONE POLICY:
Texting and/or personal email is not permitted during class.
Cellular telephones should be turned off or set to silent while the student is in the
classroom. If the cell phone emits a signal, the student should leave the classroom briefly
to handle the call.
COURSE PARTICIPATION AND FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY
Course activities and assignments are designed to help you practice and apply what you
are learning in class. As a result, students who attend class, complete assignments, and
actively participate in class activities generally make better grades and are more likely to
reach educational goals.
When you accept federal financial aid, you agree to abide by the regulatory requirements
that accompany receiving those funds. Those requirements are:
 The expectation that you will complete your courses. Dropping or withdrawing
from a class could negatively impact your financial aid eligibility and could result
in you owing money back to the Department of Education.
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Ivy Tech Community College - Southwest

Financial aid will not pay for more than 90 credit hours if you are enrolled in a 60
credit hour degree program. (The expectation that you will complete your degree
within a reasonable timeframe. Completion of your degree within a reasonable
timeframe means that you will graduate before taking more than 150% of the
credit hours needed for your program)

The expectation that you will maintain a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative grade
point average.
Failure to meet any of these requirements may negatively impact your ability to continue
to receive financial aid and/or maintain your student status at Ivy Tech. You should meet
with an advisor or a member of the financial aid team if you have any questions.
DROP POLICY:
W – WITHDRAWAL: A status assigned for withdrawals after the first week of the term
through completion of 75% of the course.
A grade of "FW" will be assigned to a student who discontinues attendance without
formally withdrawing from the course(s) involved.
A withdrawal may be processed for disciplinary reasons or for other extenuating
circumstances in accordance with due process, with final approval from the Regional
Academic Officer or designee.
REFUND POLICY:
Students choosing to drop or withdraw from this course must drop by January 24, 2014
for 100% refund. (This may also be done online). Some courses may require advisor
signature to withdraw from the class.
All fees assessed by the college, except for the non-refundable fees (technology fee, late
fee, deferral fee, and nursing test fee) will be refunded as follows:
Through Friday of the second week of the semester
After Friday of the second week of the semester
100% refund
0% refund
If you have any questions you may contact the registrar’s office at 812- 429-1408.
Refer to the current Ivy Tech Community College Student Handbook for other
important information:
http://www.ivytech.edu/evansville/studentservices/index.html
STUDENT CONDUCT STATEMENT:
The College reserves the right to take disciplinary action against any student whose
conduct, in the opinion of College representatives, is not in the best interests of the
student, other students, or the College.
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Ivy Tech Community College - Southwest
No student shall behave in a manner that is unacceptable in a learning environment or
that endangers or infringes on the rights and/or safety of himself or herself or other
students, visitors, staff, patients in a clinical situation, and/or children in childcare centers
at Ivy Tech. If misconduct warrants an immediate suspension from the institutional
setting for the remainder of the instructional period, the instructor may do so without a
prior hearing.
Assault and battery, abusive actions, physical and/or verbal altercations, and/or
threatening language are prohibited under College rules.
Refer to the current Ivy Tech Community College Student Handbook for full
student conduct rules and guidelines.
http://www.ivytech.edu/evansville/studentservices/index.html
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Students are expected to contribute effort and potential to the learning environment.
Students are responsible for participating in the learning process in a conscientious
manner while taking full advantage of the educational opportunities available. Students
are also expected to conduct themselves in such a manner as not to interfere with the
learning of others. The following list is not meant to be inclusive, but rather further defines the
student role:
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come to all class sessions prepared and on time;
display interest in the subject matter through participation, questions, etc.;
bring forth concerns to appropriate individuals;
seek help and clarification when necessary (i.e., through tutoring, study groups,
questions);
engage in accurate, objective self-assessment of own work and continually be
aware of class standing/performance;
understand the instructor’s expectations and methods of assessment; and
initiate all paperwork necessary to enroll in and exit from the course, including
financial aid documents.
Everyone has a responsibility to respect the rights of others in the learning environment.
This includes: refraining from inappropriate comments; engaging in value-neutral
discussions when differences occur; developing sensitivity to diversity among students
and faculty; allowing others an equal chance to participate; and respecting the personal
time of others.
http://www.ivytech.edu/shared/shared_corepository/CodeOfStudentRightsResponsibilitiesFinal.pdf
RIGHT OF REVISION:
The college reserves the right to modify this document as necessary. Students will be
informed promptly of any and all changes.
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Ivy Tech Community College - Southwest
Introduction to Paralegal Studies
CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES
CRN:
CLASS
DAY(S):
INSTRUCTOR:
TIME:
OFFICE HOURS:
ROOM:
PHONE NUMBER:
E-MAIL:
OFFICE LOCATION:
Week
Week 1
Class Content/Activities
Objectives
1-11
Introduction to course,
textbook, and objectives
Assignments
Discuss Chapter 1
January 20, 2014 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday (College Closed)
Week 2
Career Services Presentation
1-11
Week 3
1-11
Week 4
Film
Discuss Chapters 2 & 3
Student Presentations
Week 5
Guest Speaker
Discuss Chapter 4
Week 6
1-11
1-11
Discuss Chapter 5 (Sources
of American Law)
1-11
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
Week 7
Discuss Chapter 6
Review Chapter 1-6
1-11
Week 8
Test over Chapters 1-6 (Test
could include essay portion
comparing civil and common
law systems. This could also
be assigned as a standalone
assignment.)
1-11
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Selected readings on the civil
law system as identified in
module. To be followed with
in-class discussion or case
studies to compare common and
civil law systems
And/or guest speaker (via skype
or in-person) addressing civil
law system.
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Ivy Tech Community College - Southwest
March 9-15 Spring Break (No Class)
Week 9
Week 10
Discuss Chapter 7 & 8
1-11
1-11
Discuss Chapter 9
Review of Chapters (7-9)
Week 11
Test 2 over Chapters 7-9
1-11

1-11

Discuss Chapter 10
Week 12
Discuss Chapters 11 & 12
(Conducting Interviews and
Investigations)
Assigned readings covering client
diversity and access to justice
issues, followed up with in-class
discussion.
Reflective essay over service
learning. Essay should focus on
issues related to client diversity. If
service learning is not an option,
there are numerous readings in the
module that can be incorporated to
facilitate discussion on providing
legal service to diverse clientele.
April 12, 2014 (Saturday) is the last day to withdraw without academic penalty.
Week 13
Discuss Chapter 13 & 14
1-11
1-11
Week 14
Chapter 17
Review Chapter 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, &17
Week 15
Test 3-Cumulative
Week 16
*The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus as necessary. Students will be informed
promptly of any and all changes.
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