Preparing You For Success
SYLLABUS
FOR
COURSE NUMBER AND NAME: LS 1300
INTRODUCTION TO PARALEGALISM I
CATALOG DESCRIPTION:
This course provides an overview of the paralegal
profession, paralegal organizations, legal writing
styles, the law library/legal research, court structure
and jurisdiction, and how law is applied. The
student will also receive instruction in and become
familiar with Blackboard, Livetext, and Westlaw.
PREREQUISITE(S):
Completion of EH0300 and EH0301, if placement
required.
CREDIT:
Three (3) semester hours.
_______________________________________________
Marci Johns, M.P.A., J.D., Instructor.
_______________________________________________
Marci S. Johns, Legal Studies Director
Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Department
_______________________________________________
Dr. Dave Rampersad
Alabama Christian College of Arts & Sciences
Disability Services
Project Key, a service for students with disabilities at Faulkner University main campus, serves as the
central contact point for all students with disabilities, including: Harris College of Business, V.P. Black
College of Biblical Studies, Alabama Christian College of Arts and Sciences, Jones School of Law and all
extended campuses. Students are responsible for informing the University of their need for accommodations
and services.
Contact Pat Morrow, Director of Project Key at 334-386-7185, or 1-800-879-9816, extension 7185. Email
pmorrow@faulkner.edu, or www.faulkner.edu and click on University Services.
LS 1300 – Introduction to Paralegalism I
Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Department
Marci S. Johns, M.P.A., J.D.
SYLLABUS
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course provides an overview of the paralegal
profession, paralegal organizations, legal writing styles, the law library/legal research,
court structure and jurisdiction, legal analysis and the application of the law; the ALWD
and legal citations; the ethical duties imposed upon legal professionals; sources of
paralegal employment and the paralegal’s function in the legal environment. The student
will also receive instruction in and become familiar with Blackboard, Livetext, and
Westlaw.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:








The student will become familiar with the institutions affecting Paralegalism and
the function of those institutions;
The student will become familiar with paralegal licensing and certification;
The student will become familiar with the sources for paralegal employment;
The student will become familiar with the ethical concepts associated with
Paralegalism;
The student will become familiar with the tools used to conduct legal research,
and will demonstrate competency in the use of the law library;
The student will demonstrate competencies in the organization and drafting of
case briefs;
The student will learn to analyze legal issues and will demonstrate competencies
in identifying and using appropriate case law in an IRAC essay;
The student will demonstrate basic competencies in the basics of legal writing and
use of legal citations.
STUDENT OUTCOMES:
1. To demonstrate knowledge of the paralegal profession, including the major
institutions affecting Paralegalism, paralegal licensing and certification, and
sources of paralegal employment.
Page 2 of 13
Measure: Students will take a mid-term and a final examination that will
include this subject matter.
Standard: At least 80% of all students will receive a “C” or better on each
of these examinations.
2. To demonstrate knowledge of English grammar and basic legal writing.
Measure: Students will complete written, independent assignments that
will be graded, in part, for correct grammar and proper basic legal writing.
Standard: At least 80% of all students will receive a “C” or better for
these projects.
3. To demonstrate effective, basic critical analysis, legal research skills, and
the ability to communicate in a properly formatted case brief and IRAC
analysis.
Measure: Students will brief legal cases and will prepare an IRAC
analysis.
Standard: At least 80% of all students will receive a grade of “C” or
better for these projects.
COURSE METHODOLOGY:
The course will consist of lectures and classroom discussions. Each student should read the
assigned text material prior to class. Lecture material may not come from the assigned text
readings, but will be related to the text material and designed to amplify and augment the text
information. Audio and video aids may be used in conjunction with marker board, overhead
projector and other equipment.
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES: See Addendum
V. RESOURCES:
1. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS:
Currier, Katherine A., and Thomas E. Eimermann. Introduction to Paralegal Studies: A
Critical Thinking Approach. Apen Publishers. Current Edition.
The Association of Legal Writers Directory. [The ALWD] A Professional System of
Citation. Current Edition.
Livetext Subscription.
Westlaw and Blackboard passwords will be provided by the instructor.
Page 3 of 13
2. SUPPLEMENTARY/SUGGESTED TEXTS/RESOURCES:
Any supplements as provided by the instructor.
A good legal dictionary.
VI. COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION:
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Students are expected to attend all of each class session and will be held responsible for any and
all material presented in class. Current University policy mandates a failing grade for any
student missing more than 25 percent of the total class sessions for any reason including illness
and other excused absences. If a class is missed for any reason, it is the student's responsibility
to make up the assigned work and obtain a copy of handouts and lecture notes from a fellow
student. Attendance rolls will be taken at the beginning and conclusion of each session and any
portion of a missed class will be counted toward the 25 percent policy. Academic dishonesty
will be treated as explained in the current student handbook.
EVALUATION:
All test and examination material will be assigned a numerical value on a scale of 100. The
following brackets will be used to approximate letter grades for the final course grade reported to
the Registrar at the end of the term:
100-90= A; 89 – 80 = B; 79 – 70 = C; 69 – 60= D; Below 60 = F
It is the intent of the Criminal Justice & Legal Studies Department to resolve any and all
grade disputes no later than the end of the next term. Students wishing to appeal their
grade, either in the course or on an assignment, must follow the protocol outlined in the
student handbook, and the Department Chair must be advised in writing no later than 2
weeks prior to the end of the next semester.
Communication Policy:
E-mail is the official means of communication for Faulkner University. Should an
Instructor need to contact his class on a day that the class does not meet, an e-mail will be
sent from the Instructor’s Faulkner University e-mail account to the students Faulkner
University e-mail account. Students should use their Faulkner University e-mail account
to contact their instructor with any personal questions/concerns regarding the class.
Students should check their Faulkner University e-mail account frequently.
Research Assistance:
Research Help: 24\7 Ask-A-Librarian Reference Assistance; electronic databases with
full text and abstracted articles; online catalogs and e-books; and contact information for
additional finding aids and interlibrary loan may be accessed at:
http://www.faulkner.edu/libraries.asp
Page 4 of 13
INTRODUCTION TO PARALEGALISM I (LS 1300)
ADDENDUM TO SYLLABUS
Instructor Name and Contact:
Marci S. Johns, J.D. mjohns@faulkner.edu
334-386-7304
Office located in Greer Hall (office hours posted outside office)
COURSE POLICIES
Electronic Devices:
The use of electronic devices during class is prohibited, unless expressly permitted by the
instructor. Students must obtain instructor approval prior to the use of any electronic
device. Students who wish to use a laptop computer are required to sit on the first two
rows in the classroom. Laptop computers are not allowed on the back rows in the
classroom – no exceptions.
Cell phones are to be turned off (not "vibrate" or "silent" - "off") and put away
(book bag, purse or pocket) during class.
Academic Dishonesty:
Attorneys and paralegals are required to follow a strict code of professional responsibility.
The Rules of Professional Conduct dictate that attorneys and their staffs observe the
highest standards of trust, integrity, and honesty in their day-to-day activities. Students
are expected to follow those same standards in this class. Students’ behavior should be
comparable to that which would be appropriate in a law office or in court. Academic
dishonesty of any kind, including but not limited to plagiarism, alteration of records,
substitution of another’s work representing it as the students’ own, cheating, lying,
or knowingly helping another student to engage in such conduct, will not be tolerated.
Any type of academic dishonesty will be reported immediately to appropriate University
officials for further disciplinary action consistent with University policies.
Class Attendance:
Be on time for class. At some unspecified point during the class, I will check the roll and
circulate the roll for students to sign. If you fail to sign your name to the roll, you are
not/were not present. Please remember that signing someone else's name to the roll is a
form of academic dishonesty. If you are late for class (not present when I check and
circulate the roll), you need to see me after class. Do not walk in, interrupt the lecture
and ask for the roll sheet. Any student who arrives more than 15 minutes after class has
begun will be counted absent for the day.
Absences (Computation and Tracking):
It is your responsibility to keep track of your absences in this class. Think of this as
practice for the working world where you will be keeping up with your sick days, annual
leave/vacation days, and personal days.
Page 5 of 13
Absences and Make-Up Work:
All make up work is accepted at the instructor's discretion and submitted per the
instructor's specifications. Typically, if you are entitled to make up the work, your make
up work will be completed within 3 days of the originally scheduled date.
Page 6 of 13
If you miss class and your absence is excused (documented illness (doctor's excuse) or
university sanctioned), you will be permitted to make-up any exams or tests that you
missed.
This policy does not apply to "Out of Class Assignments (See below) or "Other" (pop
quizzes, in class activities, etc. see "Other (0% calculated)" under "Grading and
Assignments".
Final exams must be taken as scheduled by the university.
If you miss class for any reason, it is your responsibility to get copies of the class notes
from one of your fellow students.
If you miss class and your absence is excused, you will be given copies of any handouts
Or supplemental materials that were distributed in class on the day of your absence.
Generally, the instructor will place your copies in the tray on the door to the department’s
office. It is your responsibility to come by and pick them up. After 7 days, the copies
will be recycled and you will have to rely on one of your classmates for a copy.
If you miss class for any reason, you will not be permitted to make up any missed "in
Class assignments" "pop quizzes" or other "in class activities". These items have a
calculated weight of 0%, and will not harm your average in the class.
OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS - "NO EXCUSES."
Formatting and Preparation of Assignments:
All assignments are to be prepared using Microsoft "Word" (not WordPad, not
WordPerfect), and typed using 12 pt "Times New Roman" font. Margins should be set at
1" for assignments prepared in prose form. For assignments that require the student to
prepare a legal document or otherwise, the student should follow an appropriate format.
Backing Up Your Work:
When preparing your assignments, it is fine to keep them on your folder on the
university's computer system or your own computer. However, I expect for you to have a
back up on a flash-drive, disk or some other form of media.
Submission Of Assignments:
Unless otherwise specified by the instructor, all out of class assignments will be
submitted to the instructor via e-mail, as an attachment to that e-mail.
Submissions must be made using your Faulkner University e-mail account. If you use
another account and the e-mail does not reach me, you have missed the deadline.
If you type your assignment into the text of the e-mail, your assignment will not be
accepted.
Page 7 of 13
Please do not submit your assignment more than once. I will grade the first submission
that you make.
If you know that you will be out (university sanctioned absence) when an assignment is
due - submit the assignment before the due date.
If you become deathly ill on the day that an out of class assignment is due, make the email with your assignment attached the last thing you do before checking yourself into the
hospital. I am not joking.
Due Dates & Deadlines:
Out of class assignments are due by 10:00 p.m. on the date specified in the syllabus or as
designated by the instructor. Since out of class assignments are furnished to the students
well in advance of the due date, no extension will be granted for any reason.
Why 10:00 p.m.? The university computer system runs a back-up beginning at 11:00
p.m./12:00 a.m. that lasts until 5:00 a.m./6:00 a.m. If the assignment is due to the
instructor by 10:00 p.m. the system back-up will not interfere with the submission of
assignments.
"Any reason" means that regardless of whether your absence on the day the assignment is
due is because of a university sanctioned absence (sports, etc), illness, or otherwise - your
assignment is still due on the due date. The instructor will exercise no discretion with
respect to the submission of late assignments. If the deadline is missed the assignment
will not be accepted. Below is a summary of the all time worst reasons for not submitting
an assignment in a timely fashion; these fall under "any reason".
CDS & "Computer problems":
"CDS" (Corrupted Disk Syndrome) and "computer problems/computer
crashes" are pervasive on the days that assignments are due. Y2K had
nothing on the number of computers that 'crash' when an assignment is
due. There are computer labs at the public library and computer labs all
over campus, so accessing a computer with your flash drive or back up
media should not be an issue. Therefore, that your computer 'crashed' or
your disk corrupted (use a flash drive they are less likely to corrupt), is not
an acceptable reason for not submitting your assignment on time.
"Forgot the Attachment":
If you forget to attach your assignment to the e-mail, the assignment will
not be accepted, unless a second e-mail, with the attachment, is submitted
to the instructor by the deadline. If you 'forget the attachment' and then
submit after the deadline, your assignment will not be accepted.
Page 8 of 13
"Internet Problems":
Internet connectivity problems do occur and are beyond our control. If
you are unable to submit your assignment on time because of Internet
connectivity problems, you must document the problem (print the page
that says "unable to connect" that shows the date and time), and
demonstrate that you attempted all other available resources for submitting
the assignment (computer labs, public library, etc) before the instructor
will consider accepting the assignment.
"Wrong Format":
If an assignment is prepared and submitted using the wrong format, the
instructor will not be able to open the attachment, and cannot know that
the attachment was actually the completed assignment. Therefore, if you
submit in the wrong format, the instructor will not accept your assignment,
nor will the instructor accept a re-submission in the correct format.
If your assignment is not submitted in a timely fashion, by the proper method, and in
the correct format, the assignment will not be accepted. However, you will not receive
a zero. Instead, your weight of your final exam will increase by the weight of the
assignment. For example, if your assignment was worth 20% and the final exam was
worth 30%, and you miss the assignment, your final exam will be worth 50% of your
grade.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST:
Extra Credit Work:
There is no extra credit work available in this course.
References/Letters Of Recommendation:
I will write up to a total of two (2) letters of recommendation for students for employment
or graduate school purposes. In order for me to provide a reference or letter of
recommendation, students must meet the following criteria: (1) the student is respectful to
their classmates, guest speakers and to their instructors during class; (2) the student
arrives for class in a timely fashion, pays attention in class, and stays for the duration of
the class period; (3) the student only misses class in exigent circumstances; (4) the
student does not ask for exceptions to class policies; and (5) the student must make a "B"
or better in my classes.
Instructor Information: Please see attached “Student Access to Faculty”.
Page 9 of 13
ADDENDUM TO SYLLABUS
ASSIGNMENTS & SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
Assignments & Grading:
Assignments in this course will be as follows:
Writing Assignment # 1 (Citation Exercise)
Writing Assignment # 2 (Statute Analysis / Case brief)
Writing Assignment # 3 (IRAC Essay / Letter to Client)
Midterm Exam
Final Exam
20%
20%
20%
20%
20%
Writing Assignment # 1 (Citation Exercise):
In this assignment the student will be given a number of different types of law and asked
to format the citations correctly per the ALWD.
Writing Assignment # 2 (Statute Analysis / Case briefs):
After the library tour, students will be given a scenario which will require them to
conduct statute and case law research. The student will locate and copy the relevant law,
using the law library – not Westlaw. The student will summarize the law contained in the
statute, and prepare briefs of the cases.
Writing Assignment # 3 (IRAC Essay):
After our discussion of the IRAC format, using the same scenario and the law that was
researched and briefed in Assignment # 1, the students will prepare an IRAC essay. The
IRAC Essay must be appropriately formatted and contain proper citations.
Midterm Exam:
At the appropriate time designated by the university, the students will take a midterm
exam, comprehensive to date, of the material covered in class. The specific content and
format of the exam will be discussed in class.
Final Exam:
At the appropriate time designated by the university, the students will take a
comprehensive final exam. The final exam will test all materials and concepts discussed
in the course. The specific content and format of the exam will be discussed in class.
Page 10 of 13
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
Session
1
Date
Description
Review of course syllabus and course objectives.
Lecture I: Overview of the paralegal profession, paralegal
Organizations. Chapters 1 & 2.
Various Paralegal Organizations
Critical Thinking Skills
Brief Introduction to Ethics
Status of Paralegal Regulation
2
Lecture I: Continued
3
Lecture II: Overview of Law; Functions and Sources of Law;
Classifications of Law. Chapter 3 & 4.
Constitutional Law, Statutory Law, Administrative Law
Federal v. State Law
Criminal Law v. Civil Law
Intro to Torts
4
Lecture II: Continued
5
Lecture II: Continued
6
Lecture III: Structure of the Court System and its impact on
legal research. Chapter 5
Trial v. Appellate Courts
Introduction to Jurisdiction
Court Personnel
7
Lecture III: Continued
8
Law Library Tour.
9
Meet in the Law Library: In Class Assignment
10
Lecture IV: The ALWD: The Basics of Citation.
Your ALWD Manual.
Distribute Writing Assignment # 1: Citation Exercise
11
Lecture V: Finding and Interpreting Statutory Law.
Page 11 of 13
Chapter 12.
Locating Statutes
Analyzing Statutes
12
Lecture V: Continued
13
Lecture VI: Finding and Interpreting Court Opinions.
Chapter 13.
Types of Court Opinions
Elements of a Court Opinion
14
Lecture VI: Continued.
Distribute Writing Assignment # 2: Statutory/Case Briefs
15
Writing Assignment # 1 is due.
Midterm Exam
16
Lecture VII: Creating Case Briefs. Refer to Chapter 13.
Distribute forms and samples.
17
In Class Group Assignment – briefing a case.
18
Lecture VIII. Finding the Law. Chapter 14.
The Five Steps of Legal Research
19
Lecture VIII: Continued.
20
Writing Assignment # 2 is due.
Lecture IX: Applying the Law. Chapter 15.
Precedent
The Legal Memo – Components and Examples
21
Lecture IX: Continued
Distribute Writing Assignment # 3: IRAC Essay
22
Lecture X: Applying the Law by Choosing the Best Law.
Refer to Chapter 15.
23
In Class Group Exercises: Applying the Law.
24
Lecture XI: The IRAC Format.
Page 12 of 13
Distribute forms and samples.
In Class Group Exercise: Creating an IRAC.
Distribute Writing Assignment # 3: IRAC Essay.
25
Lecture XII: The ALWD and “In Text” citations and citing in
Memos.
In Class Group Exercises: “In Text” citations.
26
Lecture XIII: The ALWD Use of Quotations and Citations.
In Class Group Exercises: Quotations.
27
Class will meet in a computer lab – TBA.
Lecture XIV: The Basics of Using Westlaw.
In Class Westlaw Exercise.
28
Class will meet in a computer lab – TBA.
Lecture XV: The basics of Blackboard
In Class Group Exercise: Blackboard.
29
Writing Assignment # 3 is due.
Tech lab:
The Discoverability of E-communication /
Review of Microsoft Outlook
30
Lecture XVI: Livetext and the Electronic Portfolio; The
Paralegal Portfolio (Years Away in your Last Semester)
31
Lecture XVII: The CLA Exam
Course Recap
32
Final Exam (TBA per University’s schedule).
Page 13 of 13